THE IAIDO NEWSLETTER
Volume 6 number 7, #47 JULY 1994
A publication of shared distribution.
Send your stories, comments or announcements to Kim Taylor,
Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph,
Ontario Canada N1G 2W1. (519)824-4120 ext 6225 FAX (519)836-9873
EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
Feel free to redistribute this newsletter, but as a whole please.
PART 2/2 START
*HOW DIFFERENT IS JAPAN?*
by Colin Watkin
Most budoka have a yen (pardon the pun) to go to Japan at some
time in their lives, to broaden their knowledge of the arts and
to try to relate them to the Japanese way of life. Going is of
course dependant on one's family and financial situation. For
those who have this opportunity, what should we expect and what
is expected of us.
I should start by saying that my title "How Different" is the
uppermost thought in everyone's mind but at the same time it
should be the last! For many, going to Japan is a dream come
true. However, one has to step off the dream cloud to the reality
that we are all human beings, and that the main differences are
those of character, not of nationality. If my words appear to be
a little harsh, it's because sadly I have seen so many people
arrive here, and return thinking that certain people's
peculiarities were "because they are Japanese". It is possible to
live in Japan and at the same time be outside its culture. It
seems that in some cases only a personal involvement of some kind
will dispel the train of thought that the Japanese are so
different.
JAPANESE LANGUAGE: Not being able to understand the language can
be a tremendous drawback. Poor communication sometimes leads one
to false conclusions. The history of martial arts and a lot of
the language used to describe it goes back to chinese kanji
(calligraphy) and is deep in meaning. For example the word keiko
(practice/study) is translated as "to plant a seed". As opposed
to "the pen is mightier than the sword" the Japanese saying is
Bunbu Ichi (pen and sword in accord).
We see communication problems all too many times in the west. A
student not able to understand will simply copy their visiting
sensei's actions. Then, on watching another sensei do things
differently will assume that things have changed. Japanese,
unlike other languages is politely suggestive and cautious, aimed
at consensus rather than sharp clarification. To the foreigner
with a limited amount of time in Japan wishing to acquire precise
knowledge, this is indeed a frustrating problem.
Two percent of Japanese (not the same 2%) use a wooden bath, eat
peanut butter, and practice what is generally considered to be a
sportlike activity called Kakutogi (combat techniques) which
encompasses Kendo and Judo. With its warlike connotation the
original word "budo" has not been used for some time in
connection with education.
At the end of the war General MacArthur wrote a letter to Japan's
then Prime Minister Yoshida which said that it was the decision
of the occupying forces that the practice of "all Martial Arts
should be suspended forthwith", and that they would possibly be
reintroduced at a later date based on the "individual merits of
each art". This process took seven years.
Nowadays Budo has little meaning in a country that is so
preoccupied with copying the West. Going to Japan and seeing a
country that looks "more western" than the west is one's biggest
"culture shock". This preoccupation will cause Japanese people to
completely drop their busy schedules to entertain what are
respectfully known as gaijin (outsiders).
ENTERTAINING: Going as a guest to Japan is an important subject
to touch on. The Japanese as people are no different but the
system is! They communicate from a series of bubbles. The main
bubble and innermost sanctum is the family. Next comes
osananajimi (early childhood freinds). These bonds develop even
further should people have other things in common, going to
school together, work etc. The outer bubble is acquaintances,
business contacts and other associations. These bubbles are
distinctly separate, gently bouncing off each other, sometimes
joining together and Japanese people are at ease with this
system. As in the dojo, newcomers usually enter from the bottom
of the hierarchy until their position is established. The visitor
then is in their outer bubble. Sometimes visitors are entertained
at home, but this is purely for their curiosity value. For the
same reason, they may want to visit you! However, most Japanese
prefer to meet out.
RELATIONSHIPS: The Japanese family would perhaps be considered to
be very old fashioned compared to the West. Of course this
depends upon the way one has been brought up and the standards
one sets for oneself. Do as I say, not as I do, is usually the
regimen. Younger members of most families, particularly women,
have mongen (lockup time). In saying youngest, I mean if the
youngest daughter is 40, this rule will still apply. If one
wishes to do one's own thing, the answer is to make a separate
home. The foreign visitor is indeed fortunate if being given a
homestay for a long period. However, be warned that you will
possibly be accepted into the home as the "junior member" with
limitations on where you go, who you meet, what time you come
back.
Most people who have the finances to go to Japan don't have any
close family ties. The purpose in going is to study Martial Arts.
However, with so many unattached pretty girls it is all too easy
to get sidetracked. For this reason I should perhaps touch on
this facet of relationships. According to Japanese tradition, the
eldest son or daughter of a family is expected to live with and
look after their parents when they get older. For this reason
many people do not marry, as their first responsibility lies with
their family. Further to this, as parents want some say in who
their child will wed, many marriages are partially arranged with
a view to securing the future of all concerned. Nowadays some
Japanese people themselves are finding this system somewhat
constrictive.
Japanese use the grand name of Kokusai Kekkon (international
marriage) for a mixed race marriage. However be warned that
friendly Japanese people are a fiercely proud race who are
naturally not keen on mixing things too much!
VISAS: Japan has drawn vast numbers of people from poorer
neighbouring countries. A lot unable to acquire work permits have
been entering and working with Holiday Visas. This has forced
Immigration to tighten its conditions of entry to Japan, and has
undoubtedly made it harder for anyone wishing to stay and study.
The generqal rule now is that you should acquire a Visa "before
coming", stating your reasons for wanting to come. Also, it's
necessary to find a qualified martial arts teacher in Japan who
will take you into their dojo.
Diplomatic rules between countries do vary, and people holding
passports of other Asian countries could find it more difficult.
To sum up, one could liken one's first visit to Japan to entering
a dojo for the first time. Continued visits over a period of time
will eventually allow you to form your own bubble and drift into
warm and lasting friendships and associations and gain valuable
experience in the sword arts.
*MEDIA WATCH*
*FURYU: The budo magazine of classical Japanese martial arts and
culture*
Spring '94 Vol 1 #1. Tengu Press 1662 Lewalani Dr. #303,
Honolulu, HI 96822 USA. Bimonthly, $30 US per year, International
$35 US.
Wayne Muromoto is the editor of this new publication and with the
exception of two articles he wrote the whole damn thing too. The
stated aim of the magazine is to provide readable, enjoyable
articles about the elegant, classical, time-honoured and
historical aspects of traditional Japanese martial arts. In other
words, don't look for the latest ninja gossip or worlds most
deadliest bestest martial art.
If the first issue is any indication, Wayne might be onto a good
thing, and he might be surprised at how well it catches on. He
says that the first issue may actually pay for itself, which is,
in fact, almost unheard of in the magazine business.
Articles include an item by Dave Lowry, Aikido's Henry Eto,
Martial Arts Etiquette, how to pick a dojo for your child, Hontai
Yoshin-Ryu Jujutsu by Stephen Fabian, a translation of Musashi's
Dokkodo and several more.
The Newsletter is recommending that its readership give this
magazine a try, send Wayne $6 US and he'll send you the first
issue or just trust me, subscribe for a year, make everyone
happy, encourage issue 2. Tell 'em we sent ya. -KT
*THE US NAGINATA FEDERATION NEWS*
is a three page newsletter for those interested in, surprisingly
enough, Naginata. I see that regional reps for this federation
include a couple of familiar names in Kendo and Iaido circles.
The address is USNF, PO box 3424 Torrance CA 90503 USA. -KT
The *SHAMBHALA SPRING 1994 CATALOGUE*
is out and includes new book listings such as Thomas Cleary's
"The Human Element: a course in resourceful thinking" (where does
this guy get the time?), Norman Waddell's translation of "The
Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin", "Zen Letters:
Teachings of Yuanwu" by Cleary and Cleary (there he is again),
"The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion" "The Book
of Five Rings" Thomas Cleary trans. (one more!) and several
others. Write to Shambhala Publications, Inc. PO box 308 Boston,
Massachusetts 02117-0308. Now if they'd only send us a few books
to review. -KT
*KRIS CUTLERY*
sent along its catalogue of swords and daggers. This company
obviously deals mainly with the Society for Creative Anachronism
folks but on the back cover they have some "Japanese blades". The
Katana is 26" long and has a makassar ebony handle that tapers
toward the back. At $155 you might want to try it for whacking at
pumpkins but it may have limited use as an Iaido blade. 2314
Monte Verde Dr. Pinole, CA 94564. FAX (510)223-8968. Tel:
(510)758-9912. -KT
*WHITE WIND ZEN COMMUNITY*
PO box 203, Stn. A, Ottawa Ontario K1N 8V2 Canada. A four page
newsletter dealing with their zendo and associated groups. -KT
*KOKUSAI BUDOIN USA: western news bulletin - spring 1994*
6073 Arlington Blvd, Richmond CA 94805. This is another four page
newsletter that includes a rather good article by H.E. Davey
dealing with Budo and the Mind as well as an explanation of
honorific terms. -KT
*BUGEI TRADING COMPANY* has their second catalogue out with lots
of great stuff, including their swords and sword fittings. Swords
now run $13 and inch and they will do custom orders. The swords
are stamped from 1050 steel and "clay tempered" to give a real
hamon. There's lots of other neat stuff in the catalogue, call 1-
800-437-0125 (works from Canada too) or write them at 3790
Manchester Ave. Encinitas CA 92024-4935 USA for a copy. -KT
*JOUNAL OF ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS 3:2 1994* Via Media Publishing, 821
West 24th St. Erie PA 16502 USA.
By now everyone should know my opinions on this journal. You
should all subscribe, it's $55 for TWO YEARS (eight issues, 120
pages each), a little more outside the USA. This issue contains
scholarly articles on research in martial sports, the Katori
Shinto Ryu, Karate, an ancient Korean Martial Arts manual, a
history of Fillipino escrima, book reviews, media reviews and
lots of other good stuff. -KT
**************
Editor's Note: There has been some difficulty with the political
organization of Iaido in the UK. We present here the two opposing
viewpoints in their own words. For lack of a better system, the
letters are printed in the order in which they were received. KT
**************
*WHAT IS MUSASHI(UK)?*
That's a good question and here's an honest answer:
Musashi(UK) is NOT an association, nor has it been set up to
compete with any association.
Musashi(UK) is not unlike other groups in the UK such as
Kenseikai or Eishinkan, whose sole purpose is the advancement of
knowledge via seminars and advice.
Indeed, following the tradition established by Eishinkan and
Kenseikai, we have sought to organize open seminars. In our case
to provide instruction in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, at a time when
no other venue was available in the UK.
Our invited instructors impart their knowledge in the spirit of
friendship and mutual respect. We do not make elitist cliques, or
run "secret" sessions where only a select few are welcome. On our
seminars, everyone's opinion is valid, we do not operate a grade
Apartheid or withold information from any of our friends.
Here we make the distinction between members and friends, in
Musashi(UK) we are friends first and foremost. You could call us
a group, but we are a group that has no leader, and no committee,
we all have our say, and the decisions we make are democratic.
That's the way we started, because, over many years a substantial
number of people, all members of the British Kendo Association,
have felt left out of things, felt unhappy at their treatment at
events, and worse, the disrespect with which our senior senseis
have been treated at these events.
We wish to make known our own achievements, because at present,
there are plenty who would like to see us silenced forever.
Musashi(UK) has organized one of the cheapest and successful
seminars with Japanese sensei yet held in the UK... We'll send
you the accounts if you don't believe us!! And, not only did we
fully finance this seminar, we also raised 500 pounds for
Charity. So, what's wrong with that, is the pursuit of excellence
a thing to be shunned? Is friendship and forging of long lasting
relationships a bad thing? Well just answer that one yourself.
At the present time, four of our friends, members of Musashi(UK)
are suspended from the BKA, under threat of being expelled
subject to an appeal. Their alleged offence is an alleged
violation of the Constitution of the BKA in Bylaw no. 4. The
first sight, or knowledge that any regular member of the BKA or
for that matter the four suspended members had was in the BKA
newsletter, published and distributed some months after the
alleged offence and the suspension. Indeed repeated requests for
sight of the Constitution or Bylaw no. 4 have met with silence
from both the BKA's Chairman and Executive Committee.
For those of you interested in natural justice, Bylaw 4 was
introduced hurriedly some fourteen days before the alleged
contravention of that bylaw. We in Musashi(UK), who are not
currently under suspension think this is both ethically and
morally suspect. This point about justice and democracy goes
further, senior members of the BKA have threatened to make it
difficult for Japanese ZNKR instructors to come and teach on
Musashi(UK) organized seminars. Where's the sense in that?
Despite the difficulties with the BKA, we are still planning and
organizing seminars and events. There is already a full year's
worth of monthly events ranging from Martial Arts first aid,
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ coaching awards) seminars
and of course, what we are all about, Iai practice and
friendship.
So what about the BKA?
We don't have any quarrel with the BKA, indeed we cannot
understand the antagonism that the BKA executive committee has
towards us. No one is breaking away from the BKA, but if the BKA
continues to introduce bylaws to expel people every time someone
does something the ruling clique disagrees with, then it seems
that they will create the very thing they purport to want to
aviod. Although we have not advertised, our numbers are growing
rapidly, in just one year, we have half the number that the BKA
Iaido has managed to get after many years in existance. It
clearly meets a need not being met elsewhere... Maybe that's what
it's all about... being successful.
MUSASHI(UK) IS HERE TO STAY
It took us some time to come to the final form of this letter,
and we all had our say, thank you for taking the time to read it.
If you want more information about anything stated here, please
contact Don Harvey, Secretary Musashi(UK), 81 Sandcliffe Road,
Midway, Swadlincote. Derbyshire, England. DE11 7PH.
*THE BRITISH KENDO ASSOCIATION*
Ref: Suspensions and expulsions from the BKA.
Over a year ago there came to light dissension within the
membership of the Iaido Bu. Bad communications had led to a
feeling of a North / South divide and a "them and us" situation
with regard to the Muso Shinden and Muso Jikiden Eishin Schools.
A meeting was held in the North so that these issues could be
raised and discussed between those concerned together with the
1993 Iai Bu Executive and myself. During the meeting the
possibility of the formation of a breakaway group was also
discussed.
My opening remarks on this subject to that assembly were "Should
any members split and start another group and not settle the
dissension through the correct channels (for example at the AGM)
then I would do all in my power to protect our Association. If
necessary I would go as far as removing people's grades, not only
from our own records, but also from the records of the E.K.F.,
I.K.F. and the Z.N.K.R."
Correspondence passed backwards and forwards and towards the end
of last year I was led to understand that things had got a lot
better and that people would attend the AGM and air their views
and if still not satisfied they would have the opportunity to
elect representatives who would do the job more to their liking.
As it happened the AGM passed without any major areas of
disagreement being raised from the floor.
Another large bone of contention raised at the meeting in the
North was the list of Grading Panellists. We as an Association
were asked by the E.K.F. to produce a list of those we considered
should be our representatives on National and International
Grading Panels. A draft list was produced. This initial list from
the Iaido and Jodo Bu caused much criticism and clearly needed
re-evaluation. A final criteria was established and examinations
(which became part of the criteria) were held for those who
wished to be part of the new scheme. Never-the-less some people
still disagreed with the need to take part in examinations in
order to be on a panel. During this time of unrest "Musashi U.K."
became more formally organized. It started off as a self help
group with Don Harvey as its Secretary. Thus all correspondance,
phone calls and discussions between Musashi U.K. and the B.K.A.
took place via Don and the Executive. Some of the Musashi U.K.
group were not members of the B.K.A. We hoped that they would
join at a later date and thus avail themselves of all the
advantages of being in the B.K.A. including the benefits of
insurance cover. I must add that Musashi U.K. is not connected
with the possible break away group mentioned earlier and that it
saw itself as a self-help group within the B.K.A.
The next stage of development seems to be the Musashi Group
setting up its own grading system with its own syllabus. They
felt that they were only "Club" gradings but the system went up
to 4th Dan and included open gradings. The B.K.A. Executive were
totally against this alternative grading system. It was wrong in
principle and was against the constitution of the B.K.A. and of
the Z.N.K.R. Earlier Musashi U.K. correspondence led the
Executive to believe that if a B.K.A. Grading could be arranged
for the Oshita Sensei Seminar then there would be no need for a
Musashi U.K. Grading and that all previous concerns would be at
an end. Jikiden senior grades were rushed through the grading
panel exams and an official B.K.A. Grading with Oshita Sensei at
its head was arranged. Nobody applied for the B.K.A. Grading and
on hearing that the Musashi U.K. Grading was going ahead the
Executive made the constitution even more clear by rewriting
Bylaw 4. The members of the B.K.A. Grading panel that was to be
under Oshita Sensei were informed of this clarification. Still
the Musashi U.K. Grading went ahead. Obviously Oshita Sensei
wanted nothing to do with the grading and left the building.
Haruna Sensei and Oshita Sensei are against alternative grading
systems. They wish to follow the rules of the I.K.F. and the
Z.N.K.R. as does the B.K.A. Following this Musashi U.K. Grading
the four members of the panel faced temporary suspension with
leave to appeal as written in the constitution.
The people involved with the above gradings were issued
suspension notices on 31st March 1994. They had 21 days in which
to appeal. We received only one! I put off the Executive
Committee Meeting until 12th June 1994, (well after the timetable
set) because I had heard that Haruna Sensei had written to Don
Harvey stating the consequences of his action. Don has still
decided to go his own way. What has Budo really taught him? To
ignore his own sensei, who has put on loan the name of his own
dojo? You can answer that question yourself.
Having received no appeal from three of the members they have
virtually exculded themselves. It is most regrettable that from
12th June 1994 the following persons are expelled from the
British Kendo Association and that their grades are removed. The
three concerned are Mr. D. Harvey, Mr. N. Kemp and Mr. R.
Dangerfield. Letters to this effect are being sent to all
Directors of the I.K.F. and the E.K.F. It is a step that I did
not wish to take. However the die is now cast. It is pleasing to
announce that one appeal was upheld subject to his acceptance of
the B.K.A. Constitution. Obviously all Jikiden members and all
Musashi U.K. members are not in agreememt with everything that
has gone on in their name. I am sure that everyone deplores the
unsigned personal attacks on individual members made by Musashi
U.K.
Hopefully communications will improve and all other problems will
be overcome. We look forward to Haruna Sensei's Seminar in
Birmingham and next year's combined seminar in England.
About two dozen letters and pieces of correspondence together
with half a dozen phone calls log the development of these issues
from last year onwards. Whilst they will not be photocopied, the
letters are available for inspection.
John Howell,
Chairman, B.K.A.
*THE MARTIAL ARTIST'S BOOK OF FIVE RINGS: The definitive
interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi's classic book on strategy.*
by "Hanshi" Steve Kaufman, 1994 Charles E. Tuttle Co. Boston.
What should have crossed my mind before I picked up this book and
paid for it was the fact that the author was misusing the title
hanshi. This alone should have compelled me to take a closer look
at what was in the interior.
In this age of the "Shihans" and "Sokes" I should have expected
that sooner or later one of these great masters would take a
little time out of their Tae Kwon Do / Kempo / Ju-Jitsu / JKD
class and do a little light reading. While intellectually I know
that the three past translations of The Book of Five Rings were
not translated by followers of the Niten Ichi Ryu, but rather by
scholars - some of which were and may continue to be, followers
of the modern Budo; I, nonetheless, fell into the trap of
believing that a better, clearer translation of my beloved book
had come to print.
The preface, which was all I read in the book store, gave me the
impression that this version of the Go Rin No Sho would be
faithful to the martial theme of this manual of strategy, where
other translations had strayed. In fact, I'm sure its bashing of
the other three translations was probably the selling argument
that helped persuade Tuttle to publish the book.
After reading Mr. Kaufman's book I have to say that I have my
doubts if he actually translated the original Go Rin Sho from
Japanese. The reasons for my doubt do not lie in the way Mr.
Kaufman's version is laid out, nor in the wording he uses, but in
his simple lack of preciseness in explaining concepts, his
glossing over of whole sections of the book, and his constant
unannounced interjections (by which he mostly tries to equate
Musashi's Kenjutsu to Karate) that could persuade the
unacquainted reader that Musashi was a Karate instructor and not
a swordsman. Since Kaufman does not give a bibliographical
listing of the other translations, I have to give him the benefit
of doubt and simply conclude that this ham-handed translation is
in fact entirely his own work.
I cannot say I am a master at understanding Musashi's heiho. I
cannot even say that I can read his book in the original
Japanese, much as I'd like to. I can say that I spent $12.95 plus
tax (US) for this book with the hope of unlocking some of the
mysteries that continue to elude me in Musashi's work. What I got
was a mediocre "translation" with undifferentiated translator
comments written by a man who does not seem to realize that
Japanese grammer is such that the title goes at the end of a
name, not the beginning. So Mr. Kaufman, if you're reading this,
your name should be written Kaufman Steve Hanshi or Kaufman
Hanshi, not Hanshi Steve Kaufman.
In concluding this review I would like to say that as far as my
own opinion goes, I still feel you cannot go wrong if you buy The
Book of Five Rings translated by Nihon Services, and published by
Bantam Books. That translation if nothing else gives you the
exact Japanese words that Musashi used, like "heiho" (strategy)
and "chi no maki" (Earth book).
Reviewed by Victor Figueroa Jr.
PART 2/2 ENDS
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Kim Taylor * email [log in to unmask]
Dept. Animal Science * Tel (519)824-4120 ext 6225
University of Guelph * FAX (519)836-9873
Guelph, Ontario * alt email [log in to unmask]
Canada N1G 2W1 * So you still can't find me....good
**********************************************************************
What's all this about my opinions and the opinions of the U. of
Guelph? You mean someone actually listens to what I say???
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