The Essence of Budo as a Practitioner

   Budo is Budo, that's all. Budo is a great Japanese inheritance which our ancestors made for complete victory, through experience in battles by their blood and sweat. It is not Budo if there is no thinking about battle and effect in a true fighting case. With the Budo if you lose a fight, you face death. The Budo practitioner has to have resolution all time to die or not. Don't confuse true Budo and Bushido which was made up in the feudal age as a Samurai theory by Zen and Confucianism. We have to master ourselves through Budo training. If you divide Jutsu (technique) and Michi (way), and if you try comparing with sport and sportsman that is the idea as in Europe. Then the Ho and Michi are just one. Sport is decided by rules, takes a weight system, starts the fight from an oath and has an empire. This is very far from the true Budo way of Japan and the East. For training in Budo one has to keep doing correctly the original Kata, even the steps or swings which previous Masters left as the Ryuha. So we can reach the point we never lose the way. Some sportman said, training only in Kata is like a mold that one will not be able to break out of to see its applications or variations. I don't think so. If so, that instructor is bad. In the present, there are many strange martial art demonstrations which look like movie shows. For training in Budo one has to concentrate with strong Ki. So this Ki sees into an opponents heart and he, will be afraid. If one can not do this, as a martial artist it is not useful for true cases. If a man trains like a movie actor that is just playing at Budo. Even when receiving a heavy injury never escape and even if ones neck is cut never resign until you knock down and completely finish your enemy. If you just only throw for a point (like in competition), you will never attain true Budo points. After World War II, Japan could reconstruct and the Japanese could have a good standard of living. But eventhough the economy can prosper, if one loses its traditional culture it is very difficult to reconstruct. If one doesn't try to preserve and study now traditional Japanese Budo will be soon be lost. I hope to study and train in Japanese Budo instead of spending a lot of time as a sports martial artist only with the Budokan (Japan Budo Center) and Budo class of University. They take control of too many martial arts and are laughed at by Martial Artists from China and Asia. These things are very shameful for the traditional Japanese martial artist and Japan itself too. I will say again, that martial art (Budo) is not sport and not a play theory of Budo, and it is unimportant how long the scroll is. The most important thing is just training and practice. There is a very famous phrase in China : "The person well known about the way never says so, but the person who doesn't know well soon says".

   By Grandmaster Sato Kinbei Sensei - 1948

The Teachings of Bu-Fu

   The following essay is the teachings of BU-FU (warrior-wind) and an example of what one's heart, as a warrior - should be like. Please read it over and over, nurture and find its spirit within yourself. As a warrior - one should constantly practice awareness; from the moment one awakens in the morning - one should keep a watchful eye on his own behavior and manners, his conduct, never forgetting the meaning of humanism; These are all BU-FU. Never act violently nor be rough in nature, and at no time - should you take life lightly. Try to build up a gentle life style, without hurrying though it. Consciously relax. Be not afraid of life; allow yours to be gentle and rich in love, in accord with the spirit "Kajo-Chikusei" or "Kajo-Waraku" - a flower's heart, the spirit contained within the growing bamboo. If you are proud of the martial arts - do not tarnish their image by acting violently. People often say that we should bring relief to those who suffer, stand up against those who oppress others and knock them down. However, be also cautious of the weak, never relax in their presence for, at times, they themselves turn into oppressors. Be not one who seeks battles. If you wish to use this martial art - it should be for the good of those in need, who truly are both good and honest, never in the cause of the dishonest and evil. Those who follow these maxims may be learned true warriors. If you are ridiculed or humiliated - do not allow it to move your heart; laugh it off instead. It is this type of heart - which contains the truly strong spirit of NIN - patience and perseverance. The true true spirit of NIN lies also in the ability of not drawing one's "Katana", sword too often, doing so rather - only at times of need. A warrior must never forget this type of heart. Let your heart be strong and your spirit be full of vigor, resembling the autumn sleet on fields shimmering in the sunlight, and with love - as that murmured by the fresh wind of spring. To attain this type of heart - a good command of both philosophy and the martial arts in true balance is of utmost importance. Once obtained - the warrior is then a true servant of BU-FU. To begin learning the ninja warrior-way, then , the study and cultivation of culture and philosophy, and a heart full of evil-dispelling light is essential. One must have a flower's heart and honesty, should be as clean-cut and straight - as a blade cuts through a bamboo stalk. Allow your heart to grow the power to solve all of life's problems. Do not rely on your head alone; learn through your body as well. If one is able to comprehend these essentials - he is sure to find his BU-FU flowing within his body and heart. Finally, one must turn all the above into reality, strive to accomplish it all, so as to truly be a servant of BU-FU. Let us train!

   By Grand Master Shoto Tanemura

The Traits of a Ninja

   Three traits make up the Ninja. The most important one, honesty, is not only required in Ninpo but also applies to everything. A person with strength, skill, and intelligence, will loose everything if he is dishonest. Honesty, purity, and righteousness are the path to enlightenment. When one walks an honest road, things learned penetrate the body and heart like water entering sand. Then a person can judge what is right and wrong with the heart as a mirror.

   Ninja, sometimes use a dishonest road, but only as an instrument. Diversionary tactics (Kyojitsu-Tenkan) are a temporay means and as such are not important, the dark way is not the true way. The true Ninja has has the ability to use both honesty and deception to arrive at an honest goal. Deception is not the "end" only a "means."

   The second trait involves taking an interest in everthing. This produces common sense, general knowledge, and finally enables critical judgement. The Ninja's essential techniques (Sanju-Rokkei) require this special insight or refined spirit (Seishinteki Kyoyo), because without this, in addition to having bad manners, an agent can easily fall into enemy traps. Martial art (Bumon), religion (Shumon), meteorology (Tenmon), and knowledge of the earth (Chimon) must be deeply understood. Knowledge of culture equates intelligence, but it is not enough to be only an intellectual. It is important to be able to use culture knowledge in practical ways. Develop intellect with an honest heart, and unlimoted wisdom (Chie) results; leading to spiritual refinement.

   The third trait involves effort. To be a Ninja, a person must have a level of endurance that cannot be broken even in the most impossible of circumstances. To achieve this trait a practitioner must train both the body and mind to the pojnt of regurgitation. It is impossible to explain the way I trained to to obtain my patience, because it has resulted f rom an entire way of lifewith Ninpo. However, with this trait the most difficult or impossible barriers can be overcome. Talent is not required for there is no relationship between talent and effort. Effort alone can defeat even a genius. Lack of talent should not bring despair, instead there should be a commitment to try harder.

   To be a true Ninja, develop these traits to the best of your ability. Dojo principles should always stress the development of these traits. Consider what these time honored Dojo principles, that go back to before the time of Takamatsu Sensei, emphasized.

I.	One must learn patience within the time it takes a cigarette to burn.
II.	One must learn that the way of man is righteousness.
III.	Forget desire; forget easiness; forget stubbornness.
IV.	Think of sadness and grudges as destiny. One must comprehend the immovable heart (Fudoshin).
V.	Do not distance one's loyalty from one's parents and rulers. Try deeply to master culture and martial arts.