{"id":1995,"date":"2025-03-11T19:54:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T10:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=1995"},"modified":"2025-03-12T10:15:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T01:15:34","slug":"budo-beat-17-neophytes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=1995","title":{"rendered":"Budo Beat 17: Neophytes \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The \u201cBudo Beat\u201d Blog features a collection of short reflections, musings, and anecdotes on a wide range of budo topics by Professor Alex Bennett<\/a>, a seasoned budo scholar and practitioner. Dive into digestible and diverse discussions on all things budo\u2014from the philosophy and history to the practice and culture that shape the martial Way.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to witness the best and possibly the worst aspects of human nature distilled into a single weekend, throw a group of long-term foreign budoka resident in Japan into an intensive budo seminar\u2014that is, the now annulled annual \u201cInternational Seminar of Budo Culture\u201d (1989~2018). The purpose of the \u201cBudo Seminar\u201d was to provide foreigners who study traditional and modern martial arts in Japan with knowledge in the theory and techniques of budo, and also deepen their understanding of the historical and cultural aspects of the various disciplines. The seminar was sponsored by the Nippon Budokan, Japanese Budo Association, and MEXT in the hope that it would contribute to the international development of traditional culture, and foster goodwill through budo.<\/p>\n\n\n

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19-year-old me at the 1st International Seminar of Budo Culture in 1989. Apart from the lectures, budo training, and expereincing new budo, we also did a session of calligraphy in the first one. I think I was attempting to write \u5e73\u5e38\u5fc3 =Placid State of Mind<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The annual event was always a spectacle to behold. Some arrived at the Budokan\u2019s Kenshuu Centre in Katsuura with the solemnity of a samurai on his last march to battle, others with the enthusiastic flailing of a person who just discovered their limbs for the first time. But all, by the end, walked away with something: bruises, bewilderment, a fleeting touch of enlightenment, a sore stomach from laughing uncontrollably at the \u201cDai-ni Dojo\u201d sessions, and more often than not, a bloody awful hangover. Yes, my old Budo Seminar mates, that means you. You know who you are. And yes, I also realise I shouldn\u2019t be throwing stones in this particular glasshouse, because\u2026 guilty as charged. Ah the good old days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From the 2nd Budo Seminar\u2014I’m second from the right. This photo was taken after a lecture on physiological training in Budo. In the front is tea master extraordinaire, Randy Channell. We first became friends at the 1st Budo Seminar when he skillfully defused a heated moment by asking a panel of esteemed Japanese Budo professors if they knew how Bruce Lee died\u2014priceless. To this day, Randy remains one of my closest friends. Check out his shop in Kyoto here.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was present at very first seminar in 1989, and almost all of them since. For the vast majority, I have worked for the Budokan as one of the main interpreters, taking over from the venerable Meik Skoss-sensei when he departed Japan\u2019s shores. I never got tired of it, as this remarkable seminar brought together participants from many different walks of life and countries for an immersive deep dive into the world of budo. I made many friends for life there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was my first year as an inteptreter at the Budo Seminar. From memory, I think it was at the 6th Seminar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seminar has recently undergone a massive transformation. What once was an animated, sometimes chaotic gathering of seasoned gaijin budoka in Japan has been reimagined into a more regulated and focused event, aimed at those encountering budo for the first time. Gone are the familiar, jaded<\/mark> faces of old seminar veterans swapping war stories over drinks into the early hours\u2014replaced by fresh-eyed students and embassy staff stepping onto the tatami with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The Budokan\u2019s decision to somewhat abruptly revamp the format in 2019 was likely a deliberate effort to bring the seminar back to its roots: a gateway into the world of budo, rather than a reunion for those cynical, smelly old buggers already well-versed in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A bunch of kendo bunnies at the 30th Budo Seminar. Little did we know that this would be the last one…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This year (March 7~9, 2025) marked the \u201c7th International Seminar of Budo Culture for Foreign Exchange Students and Embassy Staff\u201d. It is an event that can only be described as equal parts academic symposium, hands-on training camp, and a merry gathering of young people enamoured by Japanese culture. As always, I was there as a Budokan staff member and interpreter. (You can check out the schedule for this year\u2019s seminar here.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Group photograph from the 7th International Seminar of Budo Culture for Foreign Exchange Students and Embassy Staff. This year there were 50 exchange students and 3 embassy staff from 24 countries. You can check out the content of this year’s seminar here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the elegant precision of kyudo to the controlled power of Shorinji Kempo, to the slapping of bare flesh in sumo, participants don\u2019t just observe\u2014they actually step into the arena. Under the watchful eyes and tutelage of top-notch instructors recommended by the nine modern budo federations, they bow, they listen, they do.[1]<\/a> And somewhere between the first cautious steps in the dojo experiencing all nine budo and the lectures on its culture, they begin to understand that it ain\u2019t just about fightin\u2019\u2014it\u2019s about something deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of this year’s participants poses with sumo lads from Nittai University. Both of these boys are collegiate champions and very good teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, the seminar is by no means merely an academic exercise. It\u2019s an exercise in experience\u2014a living, breathing introduction to Japanese culture through the lens of its martial heritage. With expert-led lectures, demonstrations, practicums, and participant presentations, the event fosters a growing fascination with budo, leading more than a few to seek out dojos and take up training in some budo that tickled their fancy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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My first ever attempt at Jukendo\u2014the art of the bayonet. If I remember right, this was around the 7th Budo Seminar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This year\u2019s 7th International Seminar gave me pause to think about what it is to be a newbie in budo again. That\u2019s because nearly all of the 50 odd participants were absolute novices. Anybody who does some kind of budo outside knows the word \u201cshoshin-sha<\/em>\u201d, which means \u201cbeginner\u201d. Shoshin<\/mark><\/em> (\u521d\u5fc3) is a Japanese term with multiple meanings, depending on the context. Literally \u201cstart heart\u201d, It is often translated as \u201cbeginner’s mind\u201d and is widely encountered in Zen Buddhism, the arts, and learning. Originally, shoshin<\/em> referred to the first thought or determination one has when beginning something. It represents the purity of one\u2019s initial resolution or aspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Shoshin<\/em> is not just a concept in Buddhism, but a principle deeply ingrained in all forms of learning. Even the most esteemed experts are admonished to continue embracing the spirit of shoshin<\/em>. To have a \u2018beginner\u2019s mind\u2019 is to remain open to new possibilities, unshackled by the weight of experience or the rigidity of expertise. It is a state of curiosity and humility that allows for genuine progress. In the context of budo, it is what keeps a weathered practitioner from stagnating, and it enables a complete novice to absorb lessons at a remarkable pace. Without it, learning turns into mere repetition, and growth slows to a crawl. This idea, though ancient, is as relevant today as it ever was.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Takuan S\u014dh\u014d (1573\u20131645) was a renowned Zen monk, calligrapher, and philosopher known for his teachings on the unity of mind and action. He advised samurai, including Yagy\u016b Munenori on the combat mind and life. His writings, like The Unfettered Mind<\/em>, continue to inspire martial artists and spiritual seekers today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There is a famous quote by that enigmatic Zen monk Takuan: \u201cThat which is truly high becomes the same as that which is truly low\u2026\u201d This idea expresses a profound Zen insight into the nature of mastery and enlightenment. At first glance, it may seem paradoxical to suggest that the culmination of training and wisdom brings one back to the state of a beginner. However, this idea is central to many Eastern philosophies, particularly in Zen Buddhism, where the ultimate goal is not the accumulation of knowledge or skill, but the transcendence of the self and the effortless embodiment of wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This concept is encapsulated in the Zen phrase \u201csatori owaraba imada satorazaru ni onaji<\/em>\u201d (\u609f\u4e86\u540c\u672a\u609f), meaning \u201cIf one thinks they have reached enlightenment, they are no different from one who has not.\u201d It suggests that true wisdom dissolves the very distinction between knowing and not knowing. A master, having reached the peak of understanding, does not dwell in intellectual superiority but rather embodies a state of openness, much like a beginner who approaches everything with fresh curiosity. This is similar to the idea of shoshin<\/em>, which encourages continuous learning, adaptability, and humility. In this way, enlightenment is not a final destination but a return to simplicity\u2014where wisdom manifests not as rigid knowledge but as effortless action, free from attachment and self-consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Yes, I know it all sounds rather too esoteric, but I was reminded of this by a couple of things that struck me at this Budo Seminar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The absolute enthusiasm in the participants\u2019 eyes<\/mark><\/span> was the first thing. They were like blank canvases\u2014wide-eyed, unburdened by years of training, free from preconceived notions, and eager to absorb everything. The longer one practices budo, the easier it is to become overly serious, rigid, jaded<\/mark><\/span>, and to lose that spark of curiosity that makes the journey exciting. But these beginners had this spark, and it really was refreshing to see.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Zeami Motokiyo (c. 1363 \u2013 c. 1443) was a visionary actor, playwright, and aesthetician who transformed Noh theater into a refined art form. Under the patronage of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, he codified its principles in works like F\u016bshikaden<\/em>, emphasizing subtlety (y\u016bgen<\/em>) and the fleeting beauty of performance (hana<\/em>). His influence on Japanese aesthetics and theater, and indeed budo, endures to this day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If I\u2019m being honest, it made me a tad envious, and so yet another old teaching came to mind. \u201cShoshin wasuru bekarazu<\/em>\u201d. This commonly interpreted as \u201cIn anything you do, you must always maintain the humble and earnest mindset you had when you first began.\u201d However, the meaning that the legendary pioneer of Noh,  Zeami explains in his treatise Kakyo<\/em> is slightly different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Zeami refers to as shoshin<\/em> is the \u201cbeginner’s mind\u201d in the literal sense\u2014the state of still being inexperienced and unskilled. In other words, it refers to remembering the times when you were clumsy at something, the frustration and embarrassment you felt, and the effort you put in to get to where you are today. It is a reminder not to forget that journey of growth. Furthermore, Zeami emphasises that one should not only reflect on their past inexperience but also recognise that even in the present, they are still in a state of continuous learning and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In the middle of translating at one of the old Budo Seminars. No idea what was happening here\u2014maybe the lecturer was unraveling some impossibly deep concept, maybe another audience member was obsessed with ninjas, or perhaps someone was texting me nonsense to throw me off. Could also have been a hangover day. Honestly, probably a mix of all the above. (Thanks for the photo John)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The second thing that slapped me in the face was the really \u2018stupid\u2019<\/mark> questions<\/mark> participants would ask. Except that, in hindsight, they weren\u2019t stupid at all. Some were so ridiculous they actually revealed deeper truths about budo that seasoned practitioners often struggle to articulate. Questions like, \u201cWhy do you hold the sword with the left hand on the bottom of the hilt?\u201d \u201cWhy is it necessary to bow so much in all the budo? Can\u2019t you just do one at the beginning and one at end, but with more feeling?\u201d \u201cWhy does each budo kneel down into seiza<\/em> in a different way?\u201d My favourite being, \u201cIf aiki<\/em> is about redirecting energy, what happens if both people try to redirect each other at exactly the same time? Do they just spin in circles?” (Definite anime<\/em> influence here\u2026)<\/p>\n\n\n

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Aikido session at this year’s seminar. Participants got to try kendo, aikido, Shorinji Kempo, judo, naginata, jukendo, sumo, karate, and kyudo for 40 minutes each over 2 days. This has always been an important part of the Budo Seminar. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Other questions followed the same pattern of appearing somewhat silly but actually raising interesting points: \u201cIf kata<\/em> is about perfecting form, does that mean someone who only ever does kata<\/em> would still win against someone who only spars?\u201d or \u201cWhy isn\u2019t ninjutsu included in the nine modern budo? Was it too strong, or just too sneaky?\u201d Each one of these questions could well become a blogpost at a later date.<\/p>\n\n\n

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International Budo University students come to help out with the practicums. It’s great for them and the participants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These kinds of inquiries, like playful Zen koans, prompt a re-evaluation of the principles behind budo in ways that seasoned practitioners rarely consider. Admittedly, some more than others, but I couldn\u2019t help but smile as the various federation senseis were briefly thrown off balance, as if trying to parry an attack they hadn\u2019t quite anticipated. The questions, delivered with the directness only beginners can muster, had a way of bypassing years of learned explanations and cutting straight to the heart of things\u2014simple on the surface, but surprisingly difficult to answer without slipping into circular logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was, in a way, like a shoshinsha<\/em>-induced acid trip\u2014where bizarre observations left the most experienced sensei momentarily questioning everything they thought they knew as they mapped out an image of the question in their mind\u2019s eye. You could see it on their faces. As the go-between in these verbal exchanges, my actual eyes begged them to believe my translation was spot on\u2014and to kindly refrain from shooting the messenger… But their grins clearly showed they were not \u201cdwelling in intellectual superiority\u201d. The whole scenario was actually a lot of\u2026 I feel compelled to use the F<\/mark> word here\u2026 Fun<\/mark>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kyudo is always a popular session despite the fact that very few people can hit the target, even from half way up the range!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ultimately, what I took away from this year\u2019s seminar was a renewed appreciation for the power of curiosity. Watching these fresh minds dive headfirst into an unfamiliar world reminded me again that budo is not just about honing skills but about constantly questioning, adapting, and rediscovering. In the end, it\u2019s not about how much you already know\u2014it\u2019s about how willing you are to keep learning. And that, perhaps, is the real essence of budo.<\/p>\n\n\n

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That’s me about to get squashed. Thank you Randy. Sheesh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As the old saying goes \u201cTou wa ichiji no haji, towanu wa matsudai no haji<\/em><\/mark><\/span>…\u201d\u2014To ask may bring a moment\u2019s shame, but not to ask and remain ignorant brings a lifetime of shame.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[1]<\/a> All Japan Judo Federation; All Japan Kendo Federation; All Nippon Kyudo Federation; Japan Sumo Federation; Japan Karatedo Federation; Aikikai Foundation; Shorinji Kempo Federation; All Japan Naginata Federation; All Japan Jukendo Federation; Nippon Budokan Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> \u300c\u554f\u3046\u306f\u4e00\u6642\u306e\u6065\u3001\u554f\u308f\u306c\u306f\u672b\u4ee3\u306e\u6065\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n

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