Bujinkan lifestyles of the sore and happy.

Hatsumi Sensei's Sunday class was the most crowded I've ever witnessed. For the bow in, we filled the place all the way past the windows. Leaving at most 10 feet to the weapons rack. The rumor was that we were over 200. My friend Gillian said she didn't come for training, she was there for the spectacle.

Even in that circus environment Soke managed to drop some gems of training wisdom among the crowd. If you were there I hope you found one for yourself.

After training I travelled into Tokyo to meet my friends Nate and Michelle and their friend Chinatsu. This was to be a spectacular second half to my already great Sunday.

First we went to Shimokitazawa to shop and people watch. We stopped for some tea that was refreshing. Next, we went for a twilight stroll through Rikugien. This Edo period garden was full of Yugen with the colors of the Japanese maple softly lit up for the evening. We ended up in Asakusa where we paid our respects at the temple and had dinner in a private room.

After today, my training trip to Japan could end and I would be happy. And my trip has only begun! What wonders await?

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Japan Report Seven 令和5年

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Japan Report Six 令和5年

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I start off my Japan Report Four video going to Hatsumi Sensei’s house and the Bujinkan Honbu office. I do this on every trip because this is how I submit my rank paperwork for my students. In the video I talk about my “secret” route to his house. I also recall past times when I could just visit and have tea with Soke. During my walk to his house, I review some of my notes from old classes with Soke. During one class he said 自分の第六感兼ねあいうち Jibun no dairokkan kane aiuchi. This is when you make your intuition match reality. Or, more directly, your intuition is combined with something concrete such as a strike. Later in that same class, Hatsumi Sensei said 意識をさせない Ishiki o Sasenai. He was telling us not to allow our opponents to sense our intentions. Don’t put out any intention for your opponent to read. I thought it was fascinating to think about dairokkan and the use of intuition while also hiding your intentions. Hatsumi Sensei’s classes were full of subtle lessons lik...

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