Bushido: An Antiquated Values System? Part Two: Rectitude - Living Free from Guilt

This month we continue to review and evaluate Bushido's major principles, concepts, and values as articulated in the classic 1899 Japanese text, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, by Inazo Nitobe, and evaluate their applicability in today's modern world. Bushido: The Soul of Japan is one of the first major works on samurai ethics and Japanese culture. It is considered by some to be the first collective statement of what is commonly referred to as the Seven Virtues of Bushido.

Nitobe offers for consideration seven virtues of Bushido that attempt to illustrate the philosophical values of the samurai. However, it should be recognized that there are not, in truth, seven virtues of Bushido. This is only Nitobe's subjective articulation of samurai culture and it is little more than an artificial construct. Other academics like Nitobe or practitioners of Bushido could easily and perhaps in an equally comprehensively fashion offer four, ten, or even one-hundred virtues of Bushido. Furthermore, the seven virtues presented here are concentric. That is, each value overlaps with and is influenced by another. No single virtue of Bushido exists or can exist by itself. Remember, all systems, including Bushido, Aikido, or any other, are ultimately artificial. The holistic nature of any system of values is unlikely to be comprehensively articulated in written language. Some virtues transcend written word. Nonetheless, we will attempt to explore each thoroughly.

Read the full article here.

Samurai Sword Training: The Change from a Killing Art to a Spiritual Discipline

From Iai-jutsu to Iai-do:

The Evolution of a Killing Art to a Spiritual Discipline
by Iwakabe, Hideki Sensei, 6th Degree Black Belt

The designation of "sword-drawing technique" as a distinct budo form, iai-do, was made only in the twentieth century. But the essence of iai-do, a non-combative discipline engaged in for the individual's spiritual cultivation, is clearly a product of Edo period thought.

Iai-jutsu, the classical sword-drawing art practiced for combative purposes, was contained in the curricula of hundreds of martial traditions that existed prior to the Edo period. For the kenshi who specialized in iai-jutsu, the sword was to be drawn quickly and struck accurately onto the target. During the peaceful Edo period some of the ryu that featured iai-jutsu died out, but the majority continued to function, while new ones emerged. The socially privileged Edo-period warriors continued to wear the daisho combination of long and short sword, and as long as the sword served as the symbol of the warrior class, there were those warriors who saw a use beyond the practical for sword-drawing techniques. These visionaries were responsible for employing the sword as a spiritual instrument, using it in a manner distinctly different from that of iai-jutsu; these men were the pioneers of the disciplines that are called iai-do.

Orthodox tradition claims the original essence of iai-do to be the product of the genius of Hojo Jinsuke Shigenoby, more popularly known as Hayashizaki (or Rinzaki) Jinsuke. There are all sorts of ideas as to the details of his life, but most of them are pure fiction.

Only a few facts are definitely known about Hayashizaki Jinsuke. He was born in Sagami (present Kanagawa Prefecture) in the mid-sixteenth century. That he had combat experience is unproven, but the Bujutsu Taihaku Seiden, an Edo-period manual, states that he spent seven years, form 1595 to 1601, studying swordsmanship. He then devised a system of sword-drawing techniques that he called batto-jutsu, a term equivalent to "iai-jutsu," and gave his style the name Junpake Den. To test himelf and to establish his teachings, Jinsuke toured various provinces in mush-shugyo fashion. He gathered many disciples. When he was seventy-three years of age (around 1616) he toured for the second time then disappeared; no one ever heard of him again. Hayashizaki Jinsuke's influence on swordsmen was great; during the Edo period more than two hundred ryu primarily concerned with sword-drawing techniques emerged, stimulated by his teachings.

The successors to Hayashizaki Jinsuke embodied their teachings under the name Shin Muso Hayashizaki Ryu, generally subsumed today in the Muso Shinden Ryu. Jinsuke's successors can be traced with certainty through the eleventh headmaster. Thereafter a split in the ryu developed, and one segment terminated with the teachings of Nakayama (Hakudo) Hiromichi, the sixteenth headmaster; the other segment claims continuity in its teachings down to the present, and nineteenth, headmaster, Kono Momonori. Modern exponents of the Muso Shinden Ryu generally regard the line that ended with Nakayama Hiromichi as the true centerline of the ryu.

All evidence indicates that Hayashizaki Jinsuke may have taught only a kind of "quick-draw" technique. His choice of the word "batto" (literally, "striking sword") to describe the sword in action affords a clue, for the term "batto" includes the implied meaning "to strike instantly" with the sword. Thus, Jinsuke's method differed little from the older systems of iai-jutsu, many of which also used the term "batto-jutsu." It also appears that Jinsuke may have taught that his system of drawing the sword was to be used only in a limited way during combat, that is, only as a defensive art useful in meeting the attack of an assailant. If this is so, his method differed from the older iai-jutsu systems, which were both offensive and defensive systems as the situation demanded.

Part Two: coming soon
Published with permission of Iwakabe, Hideki Sensei

Would you like to come watch a Iaido class to see if it is right for you? Visitors are welcome. Click here for more info about Iaido, visit http://www.craikido.com/, or call 720-221-3665. Classes held at Castle Rock AIKIDO.

Castle Rock AIKIDO Introduces New Logo

Our Dojo Kamon

A Japanese martial art school's logo is often referred to as a dojo kamon. A dojo kamon is an important aspect of any martial arts school because it often possesses symbolic significance reflecting the values and culture of the school. Below is the dojo kamon for our Aikido martial arts school.

Waterfalls (Taki)Water is a symbol of life, purity, and power. The two waterfalls in the Castle Rock AIKIDO dojo kamon represent the two universal sources of power: internal power and external power. They remind us that all things in life are created twice: first in the mind, and once again in the physical world. The two waterfalls are also meant to represent the multiple sources of power at Castle Rock AIKIDO. Our dojo's strength is found in the acknowledgement of the value of each of our instructors and their unique backgrounds, experiences, and lineages. The waterfalls converge into a single pool where we can all teach, learn, share, and grow Aikido together in a unified, collaborative spirit.

Japanese Kanji (Makoto)Within the turbulent water of the waterfalls' bottom, an astute observer may notice the Japanese character for 'Makoto,' which means "honesty," "sincerity," and "integrity." Makoto is frequently articulated as one of seven virtues of Bushido. A student's journey along the Aikido path will, at times, challenge the student with questions relating to his or her degree of self-honesty and integrity in how a person interacts with oneself and with others. The virtue of Makoto will gradually emerge and/or increasingly reveal itself as a student progresses through the Aikido ranks. The longer a student practices the art of Aikido, he or she will discover new qualities and insights about themselves that can then be taken off the mat and into their day-to-day life.

The red stamp or 'hanko' in the lower right corner of our logo also reads 'makoto.' Castle Rock AIKIDO is committed to interacting with its students with honest integrity. Our fair, "no contracts" policy is just one representation of how we strive to conduct ourselves with a sense of honesty and integrity. Unlike many other martial arts schools, the students of Castle Rock AIKIDO can be assured that their Aikido dojo will always be a dojo first, and a business second – and not the other way around.

The Japanese characters or 'Kanji' on the left side of the logo read 'Ai'-'ki'-'do,' meaning "the way of peace and harmony" or "way of harmonizing energy." It is the name of our style of martial art. The kanji on the right side of the logo read 'jyou'-'gan, which translates as Castle Rock, the town in which our martial arts school is located.

Dragonfly (Tonbo)In Japanese culture, dragonflies symbolize many things including courage, happiness, and martial success. The dragonfly (or TONBO) was a favored symbol of strength among ancient samurai and dragonflies were frequently depicted on samurai battle armor. This association came about as a result of the similarity between a Japanese word for victory (SHOURI) and one of many words for dragonfly (SHORYO). The significance of the dragonfly in the Castle Rock AIKIDO kamon is multi-faceted, however, the virtue of courage is emphasized. It means, for example, having the courage to do what one believes to be right even when that means doing something that may be viewed as unpopular by others.

In some cultures, dragonflies represent honesty and the transcendence of self-created Illusions. The dragonfly in our kamon also emphasizes transcendence. Through the diligent practice of Aikido each of us can transcend our own, personal, self-created illusions and discover how much more we are all capable of experiencing and having in our lives.

Kamon Shape (Tsuba)Lastly, we must recognize the deliberate shape of the dojo Kamon. The Kamon shape is that of a TSUBA or hand guard of a Japanese samurai sword. The samurai sword is a powerful symbol in Japanese culture symbolizing, among many things, a person’s soul and inner strength. Like the dragonfly, the hole of the tsuba (that cone-like shape in the center of the logo) through which the sword's blade passes also represents personal transcendence because of how we all must, metaphorically, pass through our own personal challenges.

6th Degree Black Belt Visits Castle Rock

Please join us for a special Aikido Workshop at Castle Rock AIKIDO with 6th degree black belt, John Sabo Sensei of San Diego on Monday, June 29th 2009 from 7pm - 9pm.

John Sabo Sensei (pronounced 'Say'-'bo') began his martial arts training in Kempo Karate in the early 1960s and his Aikido studies at San Diego City College under Dick Kadalubowski Sensei and John Damien Sensei in 1974.

Sabo Sensei has a strong background in Ueshiba Aikido, Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, and numerous other Aikido styles. He is a member of Mira Mesa Aikikai, which is a part of the greater Ki Society under Koichi Tohei Sensei. Currently, he is the instructor of Aikido Jugensoku, "gentle principles," of San Diego, California.

Workshop Cost:
FREE for Castle Rock AIKIDO and Center for Aikido & Tang Soo Do students
$10 mat fee for Aikido students of other schools
For Questions or Information:
Call (720) 221-3665
or e-mail us: CRaikido@comcast.net

You can pre-register for this event at: http://www.craikido.com/Sabo.html

Bushido: An Antiquated Values System?

A Critical Review of the Classic Samurai Text:
Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe - Part One
Article by Sean Hannon

Many martial arts students have romantic notions of, and frequently espouse, the virtues of Bushido – the traditional, behavioral code of ancient Japanese samurai. These individuals often claim to live and abide by such values and sometimes even pass judgment on themselves and others claiming Bushido values as their standard of judgment. But do people today really know what those values were? Or, what those values might mean today? For example, some martial arts students and instructors profess unquestioned loyalty as a virtue of Bushido. However, is unquestioned loyalty always intelligent? If, at times, unquestioned loyalty is not intelligent then wouldn't that also suggest that Bushido, at times, is not intelligent?

And, what about honor? Does honor really exist as a legitimate virtue? Or, is honor just a more sophisticated way of inflating or defending one's ego? Are these and other alleged virtues of samurai culture relevant outside of the oppressive, feudalistic society from which they emerged? Do people really understand these behavioral virtues as they existed? That is, in a context of feudalism? Is it really possible to live Bushido today as it was in the 12th through 19th centuries? Is it possible that Bushido is an antiquated system of values that is either no longer relevant today or at the very least in need of adaptation and modernization? Can Bushido exist in cultural environments based on freedom and capitalism? This series of articles will explore questions like these and will propose possible answers for consideration. We will summarize Bushido's major principles, concepts, and values as articulated in the classic Japanese text, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, and evaluate their applicability in today's modern world.

Read the full article here.

Basic Rolling and Falling Aikido Workshop

Just a quick reminder that Castle Rock AIKIDO will be hosting a Basic Rolling and Falling (or UKEMI) Workshop this Saturday, June 6th, 2009 from 1pm-3pm.

Due to the large number of new, beginner-level Aikido students that have joined Castle Rock AIKIDO in recent months, we thought it would be valuable to have a special class dedicated specifically to mastering the basics to falling and rolling.

All students are welcome to attend. However, it is strongly encouraged that any students training for less than six months make every effort to attend this FREE workshop.

Basic rolling and falling is a critical first step in one's Aikido training and mastering such early dramatically accelerates one's skills and greatly reduces the likelihood of injuries.

Some advanced falling, called breakfalls, will be demonstrated at the end of the workshop by more advanced students.

This workshop is FREE to all active or inactive Castle Rock AIKIDO students. The workshop is only $10 for students who train at other Aikido schools.

Regular Saturday morning classes at 10am and 11am will be held as scheduled with the Ukemi Workshop to follow.

Hope to see you all there! http://www.craikido.com/ Call 720-22-3665 for more details.

From Daily Stress to Daily Joy! Zen Meditation Classes

Monday evenings at Castle Rock AIKIDO in June! "Zen with Len"

These 30 minute, intensive Zen meditation classes are intended to succinctly cultivate a stronger sense of self-awareness and rejuvenate one's spirit for the week ahead.

Here's what you'll get in these short bursts of intense Zen practice:

• 10 min of sitting meditation (includes brief instruction)
• 10 min of the ancient movement meditation of Qi Gong
• 10 minutes of conscious mindfulness with discussion

Classes are led by "Kensho" Len Silverston. Len has been practicing, studying and applying various styles of meditation for 20 years, which has transformed his life. He is an authorized teacher of Zen through his instructor, Roshi Jun Po, a Zen master and lineage holder.
Len has co-taught and led spiritual group sessions at numerous Zen retreats sponsored by Hollow Bones.org, attended nearly twenty, week-long silent meditation retreats, and participated in dozens more multi-day workshops and retreats.

CLICK HERE for more information about these classes.

When: Monday evenings in June - 6/1 6/8 6/15 6/22 & 6/29 from 5:15pm -5:45pm at
Castle Rock AIKIDO

Cost: Classes are $5 each (cash only please)

Walk ins welcome. No appointment necessary.