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Coffee with Sensei

Thoughts and comments by Sensei Jorge Kishkawa




Last posts:

24-Jan-2017

More Convincing Less Speculation

- It was a tie! - yells the first one.

- No, you lost - says the second one.

- No way! If you doubt me, then let's duel again, but now with the Katana (sharpen steel samurai sword). I challenge you again! - the first one draws his sword furiously.


This scenario is depicted in the movie "The Seven Samurai", from Akira Kurosawa, and it shows a duel between two Samurai. It takes place around the year 1700 and the end of the scene is the hot-headed Samurai (the first one) falling, in slow motion, after being cut flawlessly, 6 inches through his left shoulder, hit by the technique called Toraburi*.

Fortunately all the Samurai techniques were preserved in kata* form, but none of them were recorded being tested in real combat.
The outcome of this is that you can't arrive in a conclusion.
There will allways be someone that will interpret "his technique" or "his Kamae*" as more correct or more efficient.

For many times, in all the schools that I studied, I saw disagreements between them and even between teachers of the same school regarding a specific kata.


"It is not like that because in that way you wouldn't cut" or "If you do it his way, you will be at a disadvantage before your opponent".

Some say: "My way is better".


To know who is right, obviously it is not necessary to get a metal sword and start killing each other.
Nowadays, we can test the techniques with protection equipment and bamboo swords and then arrive at a conclusion. This is the Kenjutsu Combat.

The path should be clear: Less Speculation, More Convincing.
*Kamae= Posture or stance in preparation for a strike, usually named after elements of nature or animals.
*kata= pre-defined movements, simulating a duel
*Toraburi= Miyamoto Musashi's Niten Ichi School Kata from the Tachi Seiho (Long sword techniques).
It is known as the "Tiger's Onslaught" and it is part of the set of kata that we learn here in the Niten Institute.






剣術対戦 - Kenjutsu Combat


"By applying the old schools techniques in Kenjutsu Combat takes us closer to the understanding of the Go Rin no Sho (The Book of Five Rings - from Miyamoto Musashi), the Sun Tzu's Art of War and other old strategy books.

To relive these techniques you need to take them from the kata to the combat reality.
That way you will feel what are the secrets behind the Fire Kamae, the Sky Kamae, the Earth Kamae.
You will realize that against the Moon, there must be the Sun. Or that the Tree is as strong as the Metal.

In the end, to practice the Kenjutsu Combat is to dive deep in the old texts and give life to it all."
"Give life to the past", page 138 of the Shin Hagakure (In Portuguese)

22-Jan-2017

Niten Ichi Ryu - Exhaustion

Musashi Sensei (Miyamoto Musashi), wrote in his book "Go Rin no Sho" (Book of Five Rings), that you should avoid holding the sword with two hands.
One hand must be empty, free.
As well as they have to hold, each one, a sword. (when fighting with two swords at once)

This is Niten. This is Kenjutsu Combat.
When we practice to exhaustion, we can glimpse the beginning of the path to invincibility.


































19-Jan-2017

Bullet train Kenjutsu

Have you ever seen live or a video of a Bullet Train (Shinkansen) in Japan?

Sensei e Sanches no Japão


When you see it, too late, its gone.

Just like a bullet.

Just like in Kenjutsu Combat.




16-Jan-2017

Monet's Bridge


"The Japanese Bridge over the Water Lilies Pond in Giverny" is a painting by Monet that, at the time of its completion, it was highly criticized.
They said that the old artist was suffering from a disease that compromised his eyesight, and therefore they did not considered the meaning of his choice by not drawing "more realistically" to the real image.
At the beginning, even a great artist is misunderstood. It part of the learning process and maturation of the artistic eye.
In time, the more observent ones realized his intentions, and managed to see that this work of art, not so much as a simple image, has a special connection with something greater: the Truth.




13-Jan-2017

Duel



Imagine yourself fighting the Samurai at your left:
Now, considering this situation, decide where would you choose to attack.

And tell me if you won or if you were defeated:





This is Kenjutsu Combat!

11-Jan-2017

Rare Children

The Samurai used to say that real kids are the ones that fight, jump and run. They were happy.

In those days that was possible, but nowadays, with so much they are expected to do and pressure from all sides, truly happy children are rare.

Rare, but they exist.

08-Jan-2017

Learn to Listen





In training it is necessary to be silent and ready to listen.
The sword's movement.
Your master's words.
Yourself.
To learn to listen is to give each sound its proper importance and reverence.


"To The Niten Cultural Institute, at the service of Master Kishikawa Sensei. In this family (Niten) I found energy, inspiration, courage, determination and focus to follow throuth my project. I thank you Sensei for the opportunity to learn the values and strength of the Samurai, for sharing the strategies and techniques of Musashi Sensei* and from the Hagakure teachings. These are certainly essencial ingredients for the messages that I placed in my book. I also extend my thanks to my practicing collegues, for their presence and incentive allow me to practice and to have force of spirit in the search for my objectives. I am eternally greatefull for being welcomed in this family and I hope to give back the good that I have been receiving by living with all of you."
Part of the book: "The power of listening" from the Niten student Rodrigo Leite.

*Musashi Sensei is how the students of the Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu School call the founder of the School, Miyamoto Musashi.

04-Jan-2017

Discipline

Shin Nen Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu.
Congratulations to you for having survived and managed to be alive in 2017.


'Discipline' and 'Fun', these are the two things that we need in order to be happy.
So, the festivities are over.
The moment now is to have discipline.
Discipline to fight, to win,
because the war has already begun.
Do not wait for the end of the month, because time flies by quickly.
Discipline, discipline, discipline.



My training on January 2nd 2017: 5 in the morning




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