Bunbu Itchi

As I understand it, jujutsu means “the soft art” in Japanese. Ju translates to “soft” or “gentle” and jutsuto”art”, as in a system of doing something, differing from do in judo, which refers more to a way of life. I’ve been practicing jujutsu (granted somewhat irregularly) since I was in elementary school, yet until recently […]

  I’ve written mostly about philosophical aspects of jujutsu, so I’d like to focus now on a physical element. While I have studied striking arts like kung-fu and karate (and I love them), most of my training time has been spent doing jujutsu and aikido. What I’ve noticed in both these arts (particularly in aikido) […]

I’ve found what is most fulfilling in my life is by far the most difficult. Raising children, one of whom is disabled, has simultaneously brought me more heartache and joy in equal measure than I thought possible to experience. Striving to succeed as a writer has me chewing my fingers to nubs when I’m not […]

People who spend time training with diligence and spirit quickly realize jujutsu (and martial arts in general) provide one with benefits well beyond self-defense. Jujutsu, for many, becomes a way of life, or as Assistant Professor Rennie likes to say, a metaphor for life. Implementing lessons learned on the mat in one’s day-to-day experience deepens […]

Why, you might ask, should I practice traditional (and very old) systems of combat in a gun-toting society? Well, there are two reasons: martial spirit and personal evolution. First, I’ll address martial spirit. Some people believe they can solve their self-defense needs by purchasing a gun, shooting it a couple times a month, and keeping […]

To a person who’s never studied martial arts, the idea of practicing jujutsu to refine one’s sense of compassion may seem counterintuitive. How does practicing the techniques of combat instill compassion in a person? Jujutsu (like many martial arts) is a sublime approach to personal development, and while the techniques are brutally effective, their usefulness […]

  Much of our dojo etiquette and tradition exists to foster both safety and a sense that the dojo is a sacred place. Notifying the instructor when you need to leave the mat during class and waiting for him or her to “bow you off” improves safety. Refraining from using coarse language and removing your […]

Last night, over a game involving a Lego minotaur, my youngest son and I engaged in some mutual antagonization. It turns out I’ve had way more practice, and soon my son jumped up from the floor, eyes ablaze with anger and fists ready to fly. Sensei Wiseman usually instructs him during the children’s class, and […]

  According to Victor Harris, who translated A Book of Five Rings, “bunbu itchi” means “pen and sword in accord.” Having loved both writing and martial arts since I was a child (some would argue I still am), this poetic statement has always resonated with me. Because this blog—my virtual pen—is dedicated to exploring martial […]

In Consideration of the “S” word: In the esoteric principles of Jujitsu, Master Okazaki refers to the proper use of strength regarding Jujitsu technique, and application thereof: “Anyone who practices Judo should neither be afraid of the strong nor despise the weak: nor should he act contrary to the strength of his enemy because of […]