{"id":2207,"date":"2025-06-08T19:58:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T10:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=2207"},"modified":"2025-06-08T20:12:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T11:12:21","slug":"budo-beat-25-sacred-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=2207","title":{"rendered":"Budo Beat 25: Sacred Space"},"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

Today, I was invited to a dojo opening in Ogikubo, Tokyo, by Inoue Kazuhide-sensei. The dojo itself was stunningly beautiful, built without sparing any expense on materials and accoutrements. The opening Shinto ceremony and celebratory demonstrations got me thinking again about how truly sacred the dojo space is.<\/p>\n\n\n

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I was fortunate to see the dojo during its construction. Inoue-sensei chose only the finest Yoshino timber from Nara. The result is simply sublime.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Walk into a modern dojo, and chances are you\u2019ll see shiny wooden floors, neat rows of equipment, and earnest-looking folks clad in white or blue. Some will be swinging bamboo swords with gusto, others bowing politely enough to appease even the most finicky etiquette consultant. It might seem a straightforward scene, but there\u2019s far more bubbling under the polished surface. In fact, calling it a room with a nice floor and a pleasant echo is a bit like describing the Vatican as a church with decent ceiling art.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Floorboards destined to be stained with the blood, sweat and tears of generations to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally, \u201cdojo\u201d was a Buddhist word, meaning a spot where monks trod the holy path, sharpened their spiritual wits, and spread wisdom far and wide. Over time, someone sensible decided the term fit martial arts training halls rather nicely too. In particular, kendo borrowed the term, not because practitioners fancied themselves as monks\u2014though some certainly take austerity to a monastic extreme\u2014but because the word captured the deeper, intangible aspects of training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, many might assume a dojo is simply where you wave weapons around and make fearsome noises, preferably without chopping off anything vital. On the surface, that\u2019s not entirely wrong. The technical side is indeed significant; budo techniques demand meticulous precision. But to assume that\u2019s the whole show is like going to Shakespeare for sword fights alone\u2014there\u2019s always something profound lurking in the subtext.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The opening ceremony was well attended, marked by dignified Shinto rituals and a deep sense of reverence for the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heart of the dojo, according to tradition, is a sacred space for cultivating character and spirit, not just honing flashy skills. It\u2019s supposed to shape inner strength, sharpen mental clarity, and bolster courage. Practicing in the dojo isn\u2019t merely about becoming adept at hitting others, entertaining though that might be. The core business is refining oneself. That is, developing composure, sincerity, and a disciplined mind. It\u2019s more \u201cZen with a sword\u201d than just swords and shouting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take posture, for instance. The instruction to enter the dojo with a straight back and clear heart isn\u2019t just old-fashioned fussiness or pedantry. The poem neatly puts it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen entering the dojo, straighten your body and let the mirror of your heart be free from cloud<\/em>.\u201d[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A neat, poetic way of saying, \u201cSort yourself out before stepping inside.\u201d No slouching, physically or mentally. This isn\u2019t merely vanity or martial arts snobbery; the logic runs deeper. A clear, calm mind is essential, and physical discipline encourages mental clarity. It\u2019s much harder to fret about unpaid bills or unruly teenagers if you\u2019re busy standing properly and not looking like a half-opened pocket knife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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