The other day I was in the dojo training when a friend who has not been in Japan came in and greeted me. His boyish good looks still evident but under a layer of new chubbiness. (Hopefully due to a good life overseas) My initial thought was “Wow, he`s gained some weight!”. Of course, as […]
人心看破術 Jin Shin Kan Pa Jutsu Read More »
This is a work of art for my friend Matthew by Hatsumi Soke. It reads in large characters, Divine Dragon (神龍) and in ancient “Age of the Gods” characters (kamiyomoji), Shiken haramitsu Dai Koumyo. Sensei often writes this for people who are having difficulties with health or as a general Omamori or talisman
中今(Naka Ima) Here and now are the only realities. Read More »
Rejuvenate body and mind on an yoga retreat in Chiba on July 17 – 18. You will take three yoga classes and have some healthy food. This retreat is for sharing Paul and Tomoe’s experiences and practice ideas from India. You can expect to sweat a little, laugh a lot, meet new friends, have a
Yoga Retreat at Kasumi An Study Center (July17-18, 2016) Read More »
When you come to Japan, you may often hear the expression `zen tai`. Simply translated, it means 全 whole/complete and 体 body/essence. In the dojo, Hatsumi Sensei uses this to describe the movement to which we should aspire in our taijutsu, moving with our whole body, integrated and one. In the beginning it is natural
Shin Shin Shin Gan is an expression you may hear during your training in Japan. It can be translated as the heart and the eyes of the divine. Shin 神 (kami, sacred, divine) Shin 心 (heart) Shin 神 Gan 眼 (eyes). Shin Shin Shin Gan. Your eyes can be easily deceived. In fact, all of
Shin Shin Shin Gan 神心神眼 Read More »
In the dojo, you often here the expression, Chikara wo Nuku. Chikara 力 means power or force. Nuku 抜く means to pull out or withdraw. You may hear for example `katana wo nuku`, to pull out (unsheathe) your sword. This concept is not only important in martial arts but the married life arts as well.
Chikara wo Nuku 力を抜く Read More »
Previously, we discussed, Datsu Ryoku or the the release of tension. Recently, Hatsumi Sensei has been using the phrase Mu no Riki Gaku, or the Science (study of) the Power (dynamics) of Nothingness. 無の力学。Zen Monks often draw an enso (round circle in ink) to represent nothingness. This is an enso with some bamboo inside with
無の力学、 Mu no Riki Gaku Read More »
In the dojo you may hear terms like `chikara wo nuku` or datsu ryoku suru. They refer to the idea of relaxing, or releasing tension at a certain moment in the flow of movement with an opponent. Some teachers, in Japan, try to teach this by making their students release all tension from their bodies
The Japanese festival of Setsu Bun. According to the Japan tradition, this the day before the start of spring and it is celebrated by family members throwing roasted soy beans at a person dressed as a demon and shouting `out with the demon! In with the prosperity!`. Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! The roasted
Out with the demon! In with Prosperity! Read More »
This year`s training started at the honbu with Sensei unveiling his latest art acquisitions. As Sensei often remarks the greatest martial artists are inevitable great painters and proficient in many fields of art. In a recent conversation over lunch, Sensei generously invited my visiting sister and I to lunch, he spoke of how, when he
Art for your Happy New Year! Read More »