47 Ronin: Book Review.

The tale of the 47 ronin (Ako Incident) is immortalised in kabuki theatre. It has been told and retold since 1748 and is popular for its theme concerning samurai loyalty. I would classify John Allyn's 47 Ronin as historical fiction. It is historical fact that around 1701, a samurai called Asano Naganori attacked the Shogun's Master of Ceremony, Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka inside the Shogun's palace. He was asked on the very same day to commit ritual suicide. It is also historical fact that 47 of Asano's samurai raided Kira's mansion about a year and a half later to avenge their lord's death. What John Allyn does is fill in the gaps and makes some assumptions to bring the characters to life. Therefore I see this as historical fiction. 

This story is very well known and popular in Japan. John Allyn is an author from the United States who has lived in Japan and has placed his own take on the historical event. Overall I thought he gave the story a good shot. I think having some knowledge of feudal Japan would help the reader as the author does not give very much information on this front. It actually feels like Allyn assumes the reader knows the guts of the story and therefore concentrates on the lives of Asano's retainers during the period after their lord's death and prior to their attack on Kira's estate. I found the chief retainer believable as he tried to keep the band of ex-samurai together, balancing the hotheads from those who were willing to step away from the whole mess. It is a book that is written plainly but not unlike the style of Eiji Yoshikawa's Musashi. Where the writer does not spend very long on characterisation. There is an intriguing quality to this style of writing and I still felt pulled along by the story even though I knew the outcome. The story also portray's Kira as the bad guy and Asano as the noble country samurai. This is the 'official' view of the characters according the kabuki play. The historical figures may in fact be something quite different. 

If you know the story of the 47 ronin then this English version might be an interesting take on the old Japanese tale. 

Oh, by the way, the movie starring Keanu Reeves is NOTHING like the actual tale. So if that is your only reference then prepare to get an education. 

Whole curriculum in two hours!

My instructor is away on holiday. So training always falls to those of us left behind. 

One of my fellow deshi lives in Cambridge which is only 15 minutes away from my house. I asked him to come out and train at my dojo for the weekly Saturday training session. We decided that we would attempt to work through the entire shoden curriculum (60 Omote Kata, 24 Goshinjutsu Waza) in the two hours we had available. 

Vigorous training!

We decided to do just one kata each before moving on to the next. The challenge was to remember the kata and not to be too concerned with the quality (although we would do our best on the one take). I have done this before with another training partner and it gives an insight into what is actually memorised and what needs more work. 

Very early on we were making good time and we actually got through all shoden kata including Tachiai Te Hodoki, Idori Te Hodoki and Tachiai Tedori Kuzushi. We also covered all weapons kata such as kumitano and kumitachi. The only kata we decided to leave out was batto as we do these often and don't need a training partner for these movements. 

We bowed off with 10 minutes to spare. 

It is now the next day and my body is stiff from the practice. This is good. It feels like I have ironed out some kinks. I don't recommend this kind of practice very often. This is about the third time in eight years I have done this. Training in this manner does not endorse quality of movement. It is merely a 'check in' to see what we can remember and what our bodies can put up with. It really is a full body work out!

Happy training out there!

Influences, scholars and good reads.

As time has gone by I have been contacted occasionally by those of you who actually read this blog. I can not take all the credit for some of the ideas I write about. A lot of what I write about is my own experiences in budo. However, some of my posts are also inspired by something I have read. This post is about those influential authors and I hope some of you will delve deeper into what these people have to offer.
Disclaimer: Many of the profiles written below have come from Koryu.com.

Ellis Amdur

Ellis Amdur

I have all three of Ellis' books on the martial arts. I really enjoy his writing style and he has a lot of knowledge to share on koryu bujutsu and aikido. 

Ellis began his martial arts training in 1968. He spent 13 years in Japan, and currently holds instructor licenses in Araki-ryu Torite Kogusoku and Toda-ha Buko-ryu naginatajutsu. He teaches these two martial traditions in Seattle. He began aikido training in 1973 with Terry Dobson in New York City, and continued his training in Japan with an number of instructors, most notably Yasunori Kuwamori and Yoshio Kuroiwa. He is the founder of Edgework, which offers training and consultation to law enforcement and social service personnel for the de-escalation and management of the behaviour of emotionally disturbed individuals. He has his own budo website you can view here. Many chapters in his books inspired me to write my own feelings and ideas about my martial arts practice. The first piece of writing I read from Ellis Amdur was called "Hiding in the Shadows of the Warrior." and I discovered it as an article on the Koryu.com website (see below). The experience Ellis was writing about was so raw and honest that I was hooked on his writing from then on. I looked everywhere online for his writings and eventually bought his books. My TSYR instructor and another member of my dojo were in Seattle this year for karate training and met Mr Amdur. They said he was a very interesting guy and had a discussion with him on generating internal power.

Meik and Diane Skoss

It was the website Koryu.com that was my gateway into the world of koryu bujutsu. Living in New Zealand means I live in a remote area of the world so the internet is my main source of quick and free information. I stumbled upon this website while trying to decide if training in a classical Japanese martial art was right for me. In fact, many of the authors I write about in this post are mentioned at Koryu.com and that is the first place I read about them. 

Diane Skoss founded Koryu Books in 1996, and is the creator of Koryu.com. Prior to moving to Tokyo in 1987, she earned a Masters of Library Science and an MA in English. She was Managing Editor of Aiki News/Aikido Journal for six years, beginning in 1990, and was in charge of producing most of the books published by Aiki News between 1990 and 1996. In late 1997, she returned to the U.S. where she and her husband (Meik) run a dojo in New Jersey. Her own training began with Tomiki aikido in 1982 at Indiana University, and she now holds a 4th dan, Jiyushinkai, and 4th dan, JAA. Started training in jukendo (bayonet) and tankendo (short sword) in 1990 under All-Japan Jukendo Federation instructor Wakimoto Yasuharu, hanshi 8th dan; she is currently 5th dan in jukendo and 3rd dan in tankendo. Began training in Shinto Muso-ryu jo under menkyo kaiden Phil Relnick in 1991; she is now menkyo kaiden and also holds Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei jodo 3rd dan, and Jodo Federation of the U.S. 2nd dan. Entered the Toda-ha Buko-ryu under Soke Nitta Suzuyo in 1993, and holds the okuden license. Has also trained in atarashii naginata and judo. She is the editor of Koryu Bujutsu, Sword & Spirit, and Keiko Shokon, the "Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan" series (of which I have the first and hope to buy the other two in the future).

Meik Skoss began training in martial arts in 1966 in Los Angeles. In 1973 he went to Japan to continue his training in aikido. After moving to Tokyo in 1976, Skoss started studying Shinto Muso-ryu jo under Shimizu Takaji, Toda-ha Buko-ryu naginatajutsu with Muto Mitsu, and Tendo-ryu naginatajutsu under Sawada Hanae. It was also at this time that he began to work with Donn F. Draeger and accompanied the master hoplologist on several field trips to Southeast Asia. In 1979 he began his study of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu heiho/kenjutsu and Yagyu Seigo-ryu battojutsu under the 21st generation lineal headmaster, Yagyu Nobuharu Toshimichi. He has also practiced judo, t'ai chi ch'uan, Goju-ryu karatedo and is currently training in jukendo and atarashii naginata. An MS in Physical Education, Skoss holds the ranks of 5th dan Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei jodo, 5th dan jukendo, 4th dan aikido (Aikikai), 3rd dan tankendo, 2nd dan atarashii naginata, the okuden mokuroku and shihan licenses in Toda-ha Buko-ryu, and menkyo in Shinto Muso-ryu jojutsu. Fluent in Japanese, and the owner of a substantial library of martial arts books in both English and Japanese, Skoss is one of several hoplologists continuing the work of Donn F. Draeger. He has travelled throughout Japan visiting various koryu and modern budo dojo and collecting information on the Japanese martial arts. Now resident in New Jersey, he and his wife (Diane) run a dojo there. Meik is quite active on certain facebook groups and online forums concerning koryu bujutsu. 

Stanley Pranin

Passed away in 2017 leaving behind his legacy: Aikido Journal (formerly Aiki News). Stanley shattered many myths about Aikido and its history while still being a strong promoter of the martial art. As a beginning Aikido student I would read many articles that Stanley put out, including an interview with Takamura sensei. I immersed myself in the information I found on Stanley's website.

Aikido Journal continues under the supervision of Josh Gold.

Wayne Muromoto

I came across Muromoto's writing much later than the other authors. He is the publisher of Furyu: the Budo Journal (appears to be out of print) and Furyu Online (no longer active). He began his martial arts training some twenty-five years ago, and has spent several years studying Urasenke chanoyu (tea ceremony) and various martial arts in Japan. He is a direct student of Ono Yotaro, headmaster of Bitchu-den Takeuchi-ryu and holds the rank of yondan (shihandai or official representative instructor under the old system) as well as the chu-mokuroku in that school. He is also a student of Ohmori Maso in Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu iaijutsu. Muromoto has experience in a wide variety of martial arts including judo, aikido, karatedo, t'ai chi ch'uan, jodo, and kendo, and holds the rank of sandan from the Zen Nihon Kendo Federation in iaido. What I value the most is Mr Muromoto's writings on his blog, The Classic Budoka. Last count he had 111 posts up there. I still have much to read of his works. 

Dave Lowry

Dave Lowry has been involved in the study of traditional Japanese martial arts and Ways since 1968 and has written about them for more than twenty years. His articles have appeared in magazines in the US, Japan, and the UK, including work as a long-time columnist for Black Belt magazine. I have several of Dave Lowry's books in digital form. My favourite are his two books on his experiences learning Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, Autumn Lightning and Persimmon Wind. He has many others if these don't suit you. 

Threadgill sensei with my own instructor (Photo taken in New Zealand)

Toby Threadgill

Yes, of course my TSYR sensei is on this list.
In 1985 Toby Threadgill initiated training under Takamura Yukiyoshi, headmaster of Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin ryu. In 1992 he founded the Soryushin Dojo and in 1994 was appointed a branch director of the Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin Kai. In 1999, he was one of three people to be awarded a menkyo kaiden in Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu. Following the passing of Takamura Yukiyoshi in 2000, he was asked by the other TSYR branch directors to accept the position of administrative head (kaicho) of the Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin Kai. He currently oversees instruction at the Shindo Yoshin Kai Hombu Dojo in Colorado and maintains a busy international teaching schedule.
Threadgill sensei has written the student handbook for the kai and some of his articles can be found online. For more information go here.

These people have been invaluable in giving me access to Japanese ideas and experiences about budo that I would otherwise not get in English. They are the reason myself and so many others can now enjoy koryu bujutsu in the West.

Budo Body Part IV

Yesterday, at training, I had an epiphany. As most of you will be aware, in martial arts you might be told how to do something but do not fully realise what the instructor means until years later. This was one of these moments. In TSYR we are often told to pull with the front leg. This in itself was not enough for me. I realised that what I actually had to do was pull down and forwards with the front leg so my weight sat in the middle of that foot. This creates an angle that wedges down into my opponent. It also creates tone in that ankle. As I am tall and therefore often taller than my training partners I have to bend the knee and ankle joints far more than I thought I needed too. 

Creating a budo body in the TSYR sense requires stacking and coordinating of the joints in such a way to gain the most stability and power at the same time. This is not easy. Learning to adjust ankle, knee and hips joints is a start but then think about all the joints in a spine!  Then the shoulders, elbows and wrists. That is a lot of variables to consider. This is one reason why I think developing subtle internal power takes a long time. Once you have skeletal alignment you still have to adjust muscle tension. Which muscles should be on, which should be relaxed? What we experienced in training yesterday was that the smallest amount of incorrect muscular tension can result in feedback to your opponent and they have something to fight you with. Finally, but by no means the least, is having intent. This mental aspect connects mind to body and is very important. Threadgill sensei mentions this often. 

Even if you manage to get all these things right while standing still, how do you achieve this state while moving? While on your knees?  With a weapon in your hands? It starts to make sense why this discipline is life-long.

Jack's Budo Body.

Usually with one of these "Budo Body" posts I speak about my own anatomy. One thing that has progressed for me is joint mobility and a more stable midsection. My ankles, especially are stronger and more mobile due not only to idori practice but also with the above mentioned, knee bend. What I battle with is joint stability. My joints are naturally flexible, I have been called "Noodle Man" by my fellow deshi a few times. However, this can lead to my joints not holding their position when I need them to. This is most problematic around my midsection. The transmission of power from lower body to upper body must come through the midsection. If this is soft and yielding then the power is lost. I have had to work hard to develop a strong core/hara. This is different to having strong abdominal muscles. I came from an aikido background where I had at one point routinely done 100 sit ups in one session. The muscles I talk about here are deep ones, around the spine and pelvic bowl. These ones required conditioning. As I was not naturally stiff through the middle I had to train that area and now as I take a position on the mat I turn this area 'on'. When I hold a sword this area is 'on'. I guess this is what is traditionally called the hara or tanden. When this area is engaged, a slight movement in the legs will turn the upper body without muscular tension from the arms or shoulders. As the power is coming from "below", the opponent does not feel how or why they are being moved and taken off-balance. 

Once my structure is set I can try different things. Imaginary lines can be traced vertically down the body, horizontally across joints and even on diagonals. I am just beginning to manipulate and use these planes/lines of movement.

Keep training!

Training is picking up!

I have to say that since beginning TSYR, this is the first year I have really dropped back on my training hours. I had a soft tissue injury that required some rest for 10 weeks around January and February, then my daughter's winter sports kept be away from the dojo through the middle of the year. However, I can safely say that things are looking up. 

The spring training session I had with the Hamilton deshi was the first Saturday I was freed up from winter sports. Then I got to my week night session as well.

I have just spent another busy Saturday training. I went to the scheduled Saturday training session at the Hamilton dojo then one of the deshi who lives in Auckland came out to my place in the afternoon for extra training. It was great to get my body "training warm". You know, that loose, warm feeling where all your muscles are well used from constant force and movement.  I am tired today but in a good way. 

We covered five of the idori te hodoki, then the set involving the two-hand grab from standing and later, knife disarms. 

We had good numbers too. With the Auckland guy down for the day, we had seven on the mat. 

Its good to be back in the training flow!

Spring Training

For the second year running, I invited members of the Hamilton TSYR dojo out to Te Miro for two hours of training on a Saturday morning. With the trees in full bloom and native bird chorus around us it is an opportunity to train in idyllic surroundings.

The Hamilton Dojo TSYR Deshi.

Chris lead us through idori te hodoki, the three kata of the uchite set and finished with nage waza. The sprung floor and judo tatami provide a good surface for this sort of training. It is only a twelve mat space, however, so we had to be aware of where everyone was moving and standing to avoid collisions.

There is not much to say about the session so I will let the pictures tell the story.

A Japanese Garden

I find some of my latest posts moving away from budo as I explore some other aspects of Japanese culture. My latest project is building a Japanese garden opposite the entrance to my dojo on my property. I have played around with designing a garden like this before but without much success. This time, I made sure to read more and really define the space I will be using. I have been inspired by the gardens I did see while overseas and the local nurseries and landscape places have also given me ideas. Finally, I am at a stage in my life where I have the time and money to put something together I can be proud of. 

I first had to decide on the type of Japanese garden I was going to make. This was largely decided by the space I was using. I had cleared an area that approached the door to our house but can be viewed from the entrance of my dojo. It is not a big space, a narrow shape of about 4-5 square meters with a tall fence backing it. I wanted a pleasant view from the dojo door but the garden had to appeal to someone walking alongside the garden entering my home. 

There appears to be four or five styles to consider (depending on what book you read). Pond gardens (also called hill and pond) have a body of water as their main feature. I had already decided that the area I was using would not have water, so this style was out. Dry gardens use rocks, moss, pebbles and sand to create miniature landscapes. I could certainly use elements from this style. Tea gardens create an atmosphere of seclusion and often have paths, lanterns and water basins through them. My space was not large enough for this style. Stroll gardens incorporate many aspects of other styles and encourage the visitor to move along paths gaining different scenes from alternative angles. They usually require a large space, no good for me but some of the ideas could be used. Finally, the courtyard garden style is simple and designed to fit into a small space. This was a good option for me.

Starting to put garden elements into the space. 

After some consideration I decided to base my style mainly on courtyard gardens as they do bring in elements from other styles and I like the simple design used. I decided upon using large rocks, an existing miniature Japanese Maple, a non-invasive, clumping bamboo called Bambusa, a type of hardy moss called Schleranthus biflorus and some other plants that would allow for ground cover and splashes of colour all year round. Finally, to really make the features 'pop', I used white and pale blue river stones in the empty spaces.

White and blue stones showcase this large rock that is skirted by moss.

To make this garden easier to maintain, I placed rich compost down and covered this with weed-mat. This was my blank canvas. I took my time placing stones and adjusting them until I was happy with the views from my key viewing spots (the dojo and the path alongside it). Then I cut holes in the weed mat and 'planted' the rocks by slightly burying them to hold them in place. Large rocks represent mountain elements of a miniature landscape so I had to keep this in mind as I chose my rock shape and position. In the picture above Schleranthus became the forest around the mountain and the white and blue stones symbolise the water around this mountain island. Larger grey river stones frame the whole garden, providing contrast and keeping the smaller white stones in place.

Other plants included a type of Azalea called Mardi Gras that produces red flowers edged with white and displays from autumn to spring. This means when the Maple drops its leaves and loses colour, the Azalea brings the garden alive again with its flowers. For ground cover, I introduced Ceanothus 'Diamond Heights'. This plant has green and gold leaves that displays pale blue flowers in spring. As the Azalea forms a small bush that grows to about 40 cm in height, I planted it towards the 'background' of the garden with the Ceanothus to the foreground. Finally, I planted an Acacia cognata 'Limelight' as a feature plant. It grows 0.8 m by 0.8 m and has delicate lime green weeping foliage.

The young Azalea surrounded by the white and blue stone.

As the garden is on the Southern (and therefore shady) side of the house all the plants prefer part shade or full shade except the Acacia. This plant I placed furthermost from the shadow of the house in a hope it gets the full sun it needs. 

With six 20kg bags of stone down, the garden is taking shape. 

I tried to create symmetry in the space but at the same time follow the rule of odd numbers that are found in Japanese gardens. So I have standing stones at either end of the garden. A lone stone near the house and a set of three stones at the other end. I have an Azalea planted behind a Ceanothus but off-centre to each other. This paired arrangement is found in both sections of the garden. Finally, I have singular features around the garden. The mound and adjoining maple are one (I hope to get a suitable stone ornament to place on the mound). The single Acacia is another and finally the bamboo residing at the back will become a 3 metre tall presence.

The completed garden viewed from the dojo doorway.

The completed garden looks out of balance with all the white stone (about 240 kg worth) but as the plants grow and get larger, I am confident the desired look will appear. Now all I have to do is wait.

Set of three stones standing watch at one end of the garden.