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Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iai-Heiho: a Seven Seminar Series with Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi

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Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iai-Heiho: a Seven Seminar Series with Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi Kagami Production: Executive Advisor: Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi Advisor: Kagami Carl E. Long, Kyoshi The Newsletter of the Jikishin-Kai International/Kokusai Nippon Budo Kai Editor: Erik A. Johnstone Kagami - Spring/Summer 2010 Volume 5, Issue 1 Assistant Editor: Adrian Smith Training for Saya no Naka No Kachi by Masayuki Shimabukuro, Hanshi Inside this Issue: The phrase “saya no naka no kachi”, vic- tory while the sword is still in the saya, Hanshi’s Teachings 1 should be familiar to most practitioners of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu in the From the Editor’s 3 KNBK/JKI. In fact, the meaning of “saya Desk no naka no kachi” is one of the questions KNBK/JKI Organiza- 4 in the written portion of the test for sho- tional Procedures dan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. Most eve- Official KNBK/JKI 5 ryone knows what translation of “saya no Shogo & Menkyosho naka no kachi” is; it sounds so good, so Roster “philosophical”, but how many really know what the concept of “victory while Gasshuku 2010 Report 6 the sword is still in the saya” means? Moreover, how do we train for “victory The Wara: A Different 8 while the sword is still in the saya”? How View of Gasshuku do we actualize “saya no naka no kachi” in our daily lives? Autobiography in Five 8 Short Chapters As indicated above, the translation of “saya no naka no kachi” is “victory while A Glimpse of Hei- 9 joshin? the sword is still in the saya”, meaning attaining victory without drawing and cut- An obvious example of this approach to Dojo Spotlight: New- 11 ting; defeating an enemy without killing; victory is found in the life of Miyamoto port Aikido victory without violence or confrontation. Musashi, probably the most famous A noble sounding view of budo ethics, it swordsman in the history of Japan. He Pay Attention! 13 nonetheless does not say much about how used a phrase “iwao no mi”, implying that one actually accomplishes such a lofty one’s body should be like a big boulder, goal, or how one applies this concept to referring to a large boulder seemingly pre- Only This Moment 14 the affairs of everyday interactions with cariously perched on the edge of cliff di- other individuals or groups. rectly above a mountain path on which he News and Announce- 15 and his disciple Jotaro were walking. Al- ments There are essentially two ways to obtain though in truth firmly embedded in the victory. The first and most obvious way is mountain and absolutely immovable, Upcoming Events and 16 train diligently to become highly skilled Jotaro was nonetheless fearful that the Seminars and to develop a strong body and very boulder would come crashing down and strong technique. With the development crush them. Musashi used this to illustrate of powerful, skillful technique comes a lesson to Jotaro: the key to victory for a strong confidence and presence; presence warrior is to be like the boulder on the that is palpable to others. cliff, immovable and containing great hid- den power, causing fear in anyone coming continued on page 2 Page 2 Kagami - Spring/Summer 2010 Page 2 Training for Saya no Naka No Kachi (continued from page 1) near. Musashi believed that the development of such Musashi, however, the snake recoils in fear and slith- strong technique and spirit that no one would dare ers into the brush. While Musashi had not moved, his attack him was the highest expression of training. fierce spirit was palpable to the snake, causing it to flee to the safety of the brush. Musashi, however, rec- This is certainly one way in which one may train to ognizing the difference in spirit between himself and develop the skill and spirit to dissuade others from Takuan, was both shamed and awakened by this ex- confrontation. However, “iwao no mi”, when not perience. He had trained for so long to cultivate such tempered by compassion, can lead to an overly ag- strong technique and spirit that no one would ever gressive mindset; the foundation of a worldview that dare attack him. He could defeat an opponent with- is rooted in violence. It is a mindset that often causes out striking a blow. However, he realized that he was one to see enemies everywhere, identifying anyone also a man that no one could ever be close to. But in else as a threat. As the old teaching goes, “with your Takuan, Musashi observed the result of equally ardu- thoughts, you create your world”. Therefore, if you ous training, but training that manifested as quiet, see someone or think of someone as an enemy, you calm strength and great peace; a spirit of naturalness are certain to cause them to become one. And if you that had a far greater power to affect others in a posi- see enemies everywhere, your life will be filled with tive way than his own fierce spirit ever could. conflict. This story provides keys concerning the second way Conversely, if you treat everyone well, you can create that we can train to manifest the concept of “saya no conditions that allow for a very peaceful mind. How- naka no kachi.” What we should strive for in our ever, the danger here lies in the possibility of being training waza that reflects properly tempered “iwao too passive in one’s dealings with others. While a pas- no mi” can provide for fertile soil from which truly sive mindset and interaction with others may engen- authentic heijoshin, peaceful mind, can grow. We der feeling of a peaceful mind, that feeling of peace is should most certainly train for strong martial tech- often illusory. Pacifism without strength is often a nique, we must develop a feeling of “iwao no mi” in recipe for exploitation or domination. An old samurai our iai, but we must also be sure to train with the maxim states that “only a warrior can choose paci- proper heart and spirit. This is what will lead to true fism; all others are condemned to it”. strength of spirit, which will in turn manifest as an authentic peaceful mind. This is how we can attain Unfortunately, we often see budo practiced in a very real saya no naka no kachi. This is what we are train- passive manner. Iai is a common example of this. ing for. While an art predicated on the concept of dealing with a sudden attack while the sword is still in the saya, it is often reduced to a mere sword drawing practice for “spiritual” development or aesthetic ap- preciation. It is often very pretty iai, with seemingly very “friendly” nukitsuke! However, there is abso- lutely no kihaku, no martial content. The reality is that focusing on “pretty” iai develops nothing. What we seek in our budo training is the strength and confidence of “iwao no mi” tempered by compassion and wisdom. A legend surrounding Musashi and the Zen monk Takuan Soho once again serves as a model for this concept. In this story, a venomous snake creeps to- ward Takuan while he and Musashi are sitting zazen beside a stream. Fearing for Takuan’s safety, Musashi remains absolutely motionless as the snake moves up to Takuan, who merely faintly smiles as the serpent slithers harmlessly over his lap. Upon reaching Page 3 Kagami - Spring/Summer 2010 Page 3 From The Editor’s Desk by Erik Johnstone, Shindokan Dojo Welcome to the idea of living a long life and passing peacefully the Spring & away in old age. Instead, clearly understanding his Summer very real impermanence, he actualized that under- 2010 Issue of standing by striving to live each day expressing his Kagami. After fullest potential. The realization of the truth of the a long and transitory nature of life, of impermanence itself, unintended serves to instruct us to live each day well; to live em- hiatus, we bracing the beauty of everyday suchness and experi- have finally encing each moment with full attention. released this long overdue, The lotus is another flower that teaches us much although combined, issue. I began writing the mate- about living life well. The lotus, rooted in the dark- rial for this issue during the transition period from ness and mud at the bottom of the pond, reaches to winter into spring, which is reflected in the season- the surface and blooms in the full glory of the light, ally inspired content of this editorial. However, we unstained by the mud from which it grows. are now past Labour Day as we finish writing and formatting this issue, the days are growing shorter In parallel to the wisdom that flowers offer us, our and the nights getting a bit cooler; the kids (some less budo, as we strive to realize, teaches us much about far happy about it than others) are back in school. the fleeting nature of life, much about living in this The leaves are changing to their fall colours. very moment. Look deeply at the flowers and look deeply at your budo. Embrace each day fully, for time We usually associate spring with rebirth and growth, swiftly passes by. Do not waste a single moment! but here in southern New England this spring brought with it the most severe flooding the region In closing, I want to apologize for the very long delay had seen in over 200 years. The flooding reached in the release of this issue of Kagami. However, I 500-year floodplain elevations and many lost homes have come to the realization that I cannot continue to and businesses; the economic ramifications of the produce this newsletter without additional participa- flooding will be felt for some time to come.
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