{"id":2358,"date":"2025-08-05T17:21:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T08:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=2358"},"modified":"2025-08-05T17:33:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T08:33:34","slug":"budo-beat-31-when-martial-arts-meet-mirth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=2358","title":{"rendered":"Budo Beat 31: When Martial Arts Meet Mirth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>The \u201cBudo Beat\u201d Blog features a collection of short reflections, musings, and anecdotes on a wide range of budo topics by Professor\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/researchmap.jp\/alexbennett?lang=en\">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<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">On my recent sojourn to Idaho for a Nito seminar, an opponent cheerily informed me that sparring with me had been \u201cfun\u201d. And that other people were \u201chaving fun\u201d with me too! Was I being gently mocked, tactfully informed of incompetence, or merely categorised as a budo clown? Or, was it a compliment, implying that my presence on the dojo floor brought a certain \u201clevity\u201d or even a welcome unpredictability to the practice? Hmm\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC08648-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2365\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Having &#8216;fun&#8217; at the 13th Idaho Nito Seminar, 2025. Photo by Alf Tan. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This seemingly innocent remark sent me spiralling into an existential contemplation of \u201cfun\u2019s\u201d place in the dojo. I must admit, despite the sometimes-terrifying intensity of training, I genuinely enjoy it. I\u2019ve noticed myself smiling a lot these days, right in the thick of the fray. It relaxes me, and confuses the hell out my opponents wonderfully! But I should state from the outset, in no way am I taking the piss. Quite the opposite, in fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">H\u014dz\u014din-ry\u016b spear-fighting offers, among its inner secrets, a pearl of wisdom delightfully named <strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong><em>Daietsugen<\/em><\/strong>\u201d (\u5927\u60a6\u773c = the \u201cEyes of Great Joy\u201d). Rather than the typical martial glare intended to vaporise opponents at ten paces, the spear fighter is counselled to flash a subtle smile through relaxed eyes. The effect is significant: relax the gaze with a cheesy grin, and the face and shoulders swiftly follow suit, coaxing the body naturally into easy readiness. Mind and limbs suddenly feel unshackled, fluid, ready for anything. Frankly, this little gem isn\u2019t just for spear enthusiasts. It\u2019s a charmingly sensible insight for all forms of budo and could even add a dash of sanity to the hurly-burly of modern life where a gently smiling eye might just be our best line of defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SOJUTSU Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha - 33th All Japan Kobudo Demonstration (2010)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fCXJGKvdy1g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In any case, in the solemn sanctuaries of budo, tradition really hangs heavy in the air. This is a good thing for sure. The meticulously polished floor, neatly arranged gear, and quietly spoken greetings all conspire to cultivate an atmosphere thick with reverence, discipline, and serious intent. The \u201cBudo Charter\u201d expresses these ideals succinctly, stressing that the dojo is a place not merely of physical training but of mental and spiritual refinement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse has-medium-font-size\">\u201cThe dojo is a special place for training the mind and body. In the dojo, budo practitioners must maintain discipline, and show proper courtesies and respect. The dojo should be a quiet, clean, safe, and solemn environment.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"355\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/budo-charter-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2359\" style=\"width:612px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You can see the English translation of the Budo Charter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nipponbudokan.or.jp\/english\/budochater\">here<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">As an extension of this ideal, those there ultra-traditionalist \u201cProtectors of the Way\u201d insist with po-faced authority that the dojo is a sacred place where \u201clife and death\u201d hang precariously in the balance, asserting that anything less than \u201cabsolute solemnity\u201d veers dangerously close to <em>jad\u014d<\/em> (\u90aa\u9053)\u2014a perversion of the true path. I.e., taking the piss. I remember one fellow on FB even lambasting me for a post-<em>keiko<\/em> group photo with participants taking some silly poses. \u201cShouldn\u2019t behave like that in a dojo. It\u2019s disrespectful!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I totally get it, but is it always really the case? Each dojo cultivates its own culture and training atmosphere, and over the years in Japan and abroad, I have observed that a good dose of levity and light-heartedness in the right places has an extraordinary power to \u201cenhance and humanise\u201d the budo experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">So, what do I mean by \u201clevity\u201d? Levity refers to a sense of humour, mirth, light-heartedness, or cheerful lack of too much over-the-top urgency as seen in cults. It\u2019s the quality of bringing breathable lightness to heavy topics or tense environments. And, this sense of ease helps practitioners step back from the blind intensity of training, providing clarity and perspective even in complex or challenging moments.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"226\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/shrike-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2362\" style=\"width:348px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The ink painting \u201cKoboku Meigekizu\u201d (Shrike on a Withered Branch) by Miyamoto Musashi is designated an Important Cultural Property and is housed at the Kubos\u014d Memorial Museum of Arts in Izumi City. In his famous treatise, The Book of Five Rings, Musashi explains that engaging in pursuits like calligraphy and painting serves as yet another means to refine one\u2019s martial skills. And, tell me this little shrike doesn\u2019t have a mischievous, whimsical look about it.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"253\" height=\"248\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/shrike.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2361\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Looking back through the annals of budo history, levity has quietly served as a gentle ally to the greatest of masters. Miyamoto Musashi\u2019s humour, for example, was certainly dry, subtle, and edged with irony rather than outright laughter or comic frivolity. His writing in the <em>Gorin-no-sho<\/em> never gives way to overt jokes, but it does exhibit flashes of sardonic wit and sly commentary about human foibles. Further evidence is found in Musashi\u2019s calligraphy and ink paintings. Many of these reflect a playful approach to traditional themes: mischievous birds, quirky portraits of Daruma, and clever visual puns. This artistic playfulness suggests that beneath his severe warrior exterior, Musashi appreciated life\u2019s ironies and absurdities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Admittedly this is all conjecture! But, I have it on good authority from the late Professor Murata Naoki that Kano Jigoro, the esteemed founder of judo, was renowned not only for his technical expertise and gravitas, but also for a sense of humour that could effortlessly dissolve tension. Kano\u2019s Kodokan dojo was a place of intellectual and physical rigour, but it was equally a space where laughter and friendly banter punctuated training sessions. His capacity to make a student chuckle at the absurdity of a mistake often led to a deeper, more relaxed understanding of judo\u2019s principles.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"692\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Karate_My-life_\u88681-1200x1776-1-692x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2364\" style=\"width:432px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Get the book <a href=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=605\">here<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Similarly, according to Kanazawa Hirokazu, Funakoshi Gichin, the father of Shotokan, maintained a gentle demeanour that ran counter to the stereotypical hard-arse severity associated with karate instructors. His famously soft-spoken nature and frequent gentle smiles were, in fact, vital elements in making his teachings accessible and relatable. Perhaps Funakoshi knew that joviality could unlock doors that rigid discipline alone could never open. His method of instruction, mixing seriousness with warm-hearted humanity, highlighted his understanding of budo as not only a martial discipline but as a path to human development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I recall vividly my high school days spent deep in kendo practice in Japan. The dojo was horribly daunting. It was an austere place that demanded nothing short of total focus and obstinate fighting spirit. It could feel utterly stifling, especially for a young Kiwi exchange student like me. But paradoxically, my most enduring memories from those days aren\u2019t of stringent bollockings or torturous drills, but rather the unexpected laughter that would occasionally burst forth from our stern-faced sensei or a mischievous senpai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Once, during a gruelling training session (well, they all were actually), a fellow student was thrust unexpectedly backwards, limbs flailing and <em>shinai<\/em> flying, careening helplessly towards a cluster of 6 or 7 bystanders awaiting their turn. There was a momentary freeze-frame (I can still see it), their eyes widening in collective horror before the inevitable collision sent them sprawling like skittles in a ten-pin bowling alley. It was the perfect \u201cStrike\u201d! The dojo clamour stopped for an instant, until our sensei, normally the epitome of criminal-grade menace, broke into a fit of laughter. It was infectious, washing over all of us like a wave of relief, breaking down the fear and tension.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC00736-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2367\" style=\"width:594px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Everybody having fun. Photo by Alf Tan. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Critics might well argue that laughing or introducing a touch of humour risks trivialising budo\u2019s dignity. Yet this viewpoint, I think, misunderstands the very nature of balance, a concept at the core of budo itself. I am of the belief that severity without levity leads to rigidity, while levity without seriousness results in frivolity. The essence of budo lies in achieving harmony between seemingly opposing forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In this sense, levity in budo isn\u2019t about undermining respect or trivialising the discipline. Rather, it\u2019s about sharing a laugh at our slip-ups or some other happening; it doesn\u2019t need to diminish the seriousness of the training. It acknowledges our humanity, transforming the dojo from a grunty training ground into a gathering of kindred spirits, bonded by shared missteps and quiet triumphs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Through my years of teaching and training around the world, I\u2019ve come to realise that humour crosses cultural boundaries effortlessly. Whether I am at a seminar in Japan, Croatia, New Zealand, or elsewhere, a well-timed joke or anecdote breaks the ice and builds bridges. Students who feel comfortable enough to smile and laugh become more receptive, more curious, and ultimately more dedicated to their practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A bit of humour and levity, like an invisible thread woven through fine fabric, enriches the experience immensely by adding warmth to the necessarily disciplined atmosphere, harmonising interactions, and fostering the conditions necessary for genuine improvement and lasting connections. Ultimately, I reckon it fosters a deeper, internal kind of strength rooted in confidence, openness, and emotional resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/honk-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2368\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You know the story, right?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This broader view brings to mind a quote by G.\u202fK. Chesterton from his novel <em>The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare<\/em> (1908), which, I think, captures the point of this message:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse has-medium-font-size\">\u201cModerate strength is shown in violence; supreme strength is shown in levity.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Here, Chesterton contrasts two approaches to strength:\u00a0violence represents a forceful, immediate display of power (moderate strength); whereas levity (lightness, humour, and grace) embodies a deeper, steadier supreme strength. Real power, therefore, might stem not from brute force but from poise, graceful wit, and calm, smiling self-assurance. Perhaps this, more than anything, encapsulates the spirit of budo.\u00a0Reflecting on this, being remembered as \u2018fun\u2019 might indeed be good praise for a martial artist. What do you think?<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/?p=1254\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/OSU-Cover-2-1200x1200-1-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2372\" style=\"width:451px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The \u201cBudo Beat\u201d Blog features a collection of short reflections, musings, and anecdotes on a wide range of budo topics by Professor\u00a0Alex Bennett, 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. On my recent sojourn to Idaho for a Nito seminar, an...","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2370,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[36,72,71],"class_list":["post-2358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-b-b-blog","tag-budo","tag-budo-attitude","tag-dojo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2358"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2358\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2373,"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2358\/revisions\/2373"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/budobooks.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}