Rembukan Dojo
  • Home
  • Public Seminars
    • 2019 Events
  • Who we are
    • About US
    • Curriculum
    • 2018 New Year-Opening
    • Japan Trip 2016
    • 2016 Fall Seminar
    • 2016 Summer Seminar
  • Blog
    • Lost in Translation
  • Contact
  • Membership
    • Member Forum
    • Member Calendar
    • Logout
  • October 5-7 - Seminar

Thoughts About Why We Train & What We Learn...

Tradition - Tradition  (Posted 2010)

11/3/2010

0 Comments

 
Picture
Kuroda with Shimizu Sensei after the later had been recognized by the Imperial Household for his contributions to Japanese budo 1968
When Shimizu Sensei opted into the idea of incorporating Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (SMRJ) into the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) (ZNKR then) he knew about the controversies this action would create. 
​

Besides his desire to see Jodo grow worldwide after seeing and teaching such deserving students as Donn F. Draeger et al. he was truly concerned that such a small membership of practitioners within Japan might dwindle to obscurity.  Many of his contemporaries, even close associates opposed his decision to “popularize” Jodo under the much larger Kendo umbrella. There were two main concerns voiced; first that many kendoka (kendo practitioners) performed waza (technique) at odds with Koryu (older) traditions, (ie. A higher stance floating the hips and having a raised rear ankle) and second that over time Jodo would lose its identity within the larger political framework.
What perhaps was not recognized then, was that the power of a Menkyo Kaiden (highest teachers license) to decide and act in any way he saw fit might also threaten tradition.  Historically speaking, Menkyo (highest written makimono) were not offered for each of the associated arts found within SMRJ. It was expected that upon earning a Menkyo within SMRJ that mastery of these other arts was already obtained.  That is not to say that written recognition did not exist or that names weren’t added to densho (genealogy scrolls) or written record within a group but Menkyo licenses weren’t made specifically and separately for Isshin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu for example.
  
Some “professional” teachers have compromised and have started the wholesale selling of makimono in general both for financial profit and to establish “territories” outside the main dojo (training halls) and particularly outside of Japan where it is accepted with a nod and a wink that the inflated licenses aren’t as real as if it was awarded to a Japanese student.
It isn’t disputed that the Menkyo Kaiden has the power to establish curriculum and set policy.  If a teacher commands that his students wear pink hakama (training uniform like culottes) then the student is obliged to comply.  This writer wonders if Shimizu Sensei for his love of Jodo and his fear of it’s possible demise anticipated some of the changes that have come about in order to see this wonderful art survive into the 21st century or what form it will take in the future?
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Rick

    Categories

    All
    Dojo Life & Budo
    Japan Trip
    Martial History
    Rick's Reflections On Budo

    Archives

    January 2017
    February 2016
    December 2015
    April 2015
    May 2014
    January 2014
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2012
    February 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    January 2011
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010

    RSS Feed

HOME
Blog
Picture
Upcoming Seminar June 2017
Picture
Japan Trip Fall 2016
Picture
Japan Trip Fall 2016
Picture
Original Rembukan
Picture
Draeger Sensei & the World of Bruce Lee
Picture
Do As I Do
Contact Us
Picture
Po Box 232 Severna Park, MD. 21146

Copyright © 1996 - 2017
  • Home
  • Public Seminars
    • 2019 Events
  • Who we are
    • About US
    • Curriculum
    • 2018 New Year-Opening
    • Japan Trip 2016
    • 2016 Fall Seminar
    • 2016 Summer Seminar
  • Blog
    • Lost in Translation
  • Contact
  • Membership
    • Member Forum
    • Member Calendar
    • Logout
  • October 5-7 - Seminar