After 3 solid months of Translation work I and Bruce Appleby, just finished reading the final proofs of the new book due out by Soke, titled ���Japanese Sword Fighting���. The plan is that this book will go to print in the next month. Hopefully, the book will be out before the end of the year and in time for the Daikomyosai.

This is the third book in the series published by Kodansha International, written by Soke, and there are already talks of another one on Taijutsu.

The pictures in this book are amazing, and Soke called upon one of his old friends who is a renowned photographer to do the shots. To photo or film martial arts requires a mind that is connected to the arts.

I thought I would give the Bujinkan community some sneak-peak highlights on this book since it is an excellent work that brings together the many points that Soke has be teaching recently about kenjutsu and the tachi.

The book details the ���Kensei��� or Sword Saint, which according to Soke are not so well known people that achieved more than just mastery of the sword. They are artists, politicians, Zen Priests and philosophers, just to name a few.

It is a nice combination of history and Soke���s view that pulls together all things that have been taught in the Bujinkan in the last 10 years. Mastery of something is not that great. What we strive for in the BK is more than that, and this is what Soke teaches us on a daily basis.

My favorite section of the book is the Muto Dori Hiden section. Here, sensei describes what Muto dori really is, and the timing of this explanation couldn���t be better matched with the current training.

Other martial artists from other schools will read this book and dismiss sensei���s points. And we are sure to meet criticism from sword masters on what sword mastership is.

To make a point out of something is not the point, and in this book and sensei teachings that is the point.

I hope you all enjoy the book.

Most Japanese characters have 2 readings, as stated in the below post.

On yomi and Kun yomi.

On yomi is the Chinese reading. And Kun yomi is Japanese reading.

Before Buddhism was introduced to Japan there existed a Japanese writing system, similar to today���s Hiragana.

With the introduction of Buddhism came the Chinese characters which had a Chinese reading. These also had meaning and were applied to already existing words.

So to make it clear. The Japanese called a Praying Mantis a Kamikiri, but applied the Chinese characters that had a different reading, but kept the reading kamikiri to avoid confusion. This is not always the rule.

I would give you a better example but I cannot come up with one right now.

Confused? I am.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

After being involved with the concepts of the book and sensei for such a long time, I might have become too over protective of the contents.

I appreciate everyone���s comments and clarification that it really seems to a more positive review than I was able to see.

Cheers!

By the way the sword book is completed and currently at the printer as we speak. It should be out soon.

It too will have its role in shocking the non Bujinkan people as well. I guess common sense has become un common sense, and that���s the goal.

You guys are right. I guess that I'm a little emotionally involved.

Just living here in Japan and knowing that the magazine that hosted this review also runs prostitution ads kinda gets me.

Not planning on writing any nasty letters to the editor, so everyone can chill.

I will just do the ultra-conscious tiger thing

Later Dude.

Hi all,

Just thought I would post something that I came across last night that I thought was a bit strange.

Some dude from a local Tokyo English magazine did a review on Sensei's Advanced Stick Fighting Book, published by Kodansha International.

Being one of the translators of this book, I was hit a little hard to hear this guy���s interesting review of something he seems to know nothing about.

Feel free to read the review here http://metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyo/recent/books.asp

Would be nice if these guys would actually come out and see the training and then write a real review about what they see rather than having someone with any backlground write a review about a book that takes 20 plus years to understand.

Maybe the guy just has an "Advanced Stick up his arse".

Thanks George for all the work with this. Please everyone get this on your own websites and to people who are planning to come to Japan.

Doug Wilson

Thanks Ben for your comments and input. George I apprecaite you finalizing the document for download etc. I hope people can understand this and we can aviod any future difficulty. Again, it is our training at stake.

Thanks very much to Jeff, Alex and all those that responded with understanding to this post. All of you are respectable Budoka and often enough, even the ones who may not be 100% in line with these rules are also respectable Budoka and may just be having a bad day. The message here is simple. You must use your best judgment with the situation and the environment. This is also an aspect of taijutsu as well. Read the atmosphere�Ķ..



Regarding the wording of the original post, it may not be 100% reader friendly or may hurt people���s feelings; however this is not the intention at all. They are rules that need to be followed with common sense and judgment. Even if they sound rude they are not meant to be, so don���t read into it. Just use your best judgment.



The problem is that people visiting Japan have become rude and given legitimate people a bad time when they are acting under direction of Soke or someone senior. This type of interruption, interjection or contradiction is uncalled for, and not necessary. The fear is that if things get bad then Soke will just stop teaching and that would definitely suck. Many of us here in Japan and those that come over for an extended amount of time have made major sacrifices and commitments to be here. Some have spent up to 10 years here learning Soke���s Budo and the Japanese language to understand what he is saying and translate it for the various visitors.



So, if the words or rules sound rude then sorry to say, its too bad, tough stuff or whatever, but these are posted for a reason.



Besides just being rules or guidelines for behavior etc, they are also in place for security issues to protect our Soke, the Shihan, the Hombu, neighbors around the Hombu as well as all training members. If you can���t think like that, then you should definitely start, since you are studying a martial art.



Again, thanks to all the respectable Shidoshi that have posted their support here and please spread the word, copy or link this post so that everyone can enjoy their time in Japan.



Thanks so much.



Doug Wilson

Dear respectful Bujinkan members:

Due to the increasing numbers of people attending training and visiting Japan recently, we have been asked to clarify the guidelines for visiting Japan. This is directed to those that visit Japan for training on a regular basis-and those that are planning on visiting Japan in the near future. The following points have recently become a concern for many of the people who volunteer their time and are responsible for various things here at the Hombu and Ayase classes and need to be made very clear to avoid miscommunication, or problems in the future.

Recently, due to various reasons, such as no plans for a Taikai or other various ���rumors��� going around, there has been a very large constant flow of visitors and practitioners from around the world to the Hombu Dojo and Ayase classes. It is great to see so many people training in the Bujinkan and making the trip to Japan to train here. Training in Japan is definitely a unique experience and something that all members should do when they can. Sensei has been very happy and energetic to see so many people coming in the last couple of months on a constant basis. The Hombu Dojo has been very full and Ayase almost looks like a Daikomyosai from 10 years ago.

However, please remember to review the rules of the Bujinkan before attending the training sessions as well as being up to date with your membership etc.

www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/bujinkan/bjk/guidelines.htm

There have been increasing problems with many things lately such as:

�Ģ Garbage in and around the Hombu and Ayase Dojo���s
�Ģ People taking photos or video without permission
�Ģ Drinking and eating in the dojo at Ayase

Also please be aware of the following rules and guidelines:

http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/bujinkan/forthose.htm

Visiting Soke's classes

1. Those who don't belong to the Bujinkan cannot watch Soke's classes without permission. If you need permission, please talk to Ohashi san or a Shihan at the Dojo beforehand.

2. What we are learning here is Budo, not a sport. We don't allow you to take photos during the session without previous permission by Soke (even if you are a Bujinkan member).

3. Please don't ask Soke for a conversation or a photo unless you know him directly.

4. Those who cannot read the atmosphere often cause difficulty. Please be careful.

Planning to order something from the Hombu office?

1.Soke's assistants usually mail items to the people who ordered them, however some of them return as dead mail because the address is not correct. This is a waste of time for both sides. Please write your CORRECT addresses with READABLE letters. (It's appreciated if printed.) And additionally, your e-mail addresses or URLs might help the Hombu staff when you have such troubles.

2.When you send the money (in Yen or as an 'International Money Order') to the Hombu office, please don't forget to enclose the list of what you want in the same envelope. If the Hombu office receives only one of the two, you won't get anything (or have to wait for a long time at best). Please be careful about this because this kind of problem happens very often. Needless to say, the money should be exact.

3.If you want QUEST DVDs/videos, please buy them at/though bookstores etc. (either online or offline). The Hombu Office has stopped selling them.

These things may not seem like a big deal to people, however, it is a large burden for all members, if one person is not respectful of the rules, or non cooperative when it comes to enforcement of these rules. Training is for everyone, but if we continue this way it may become difficult in the future if we cannot be respectful and careful.

Granted, it is not possible to know all the rules or guidelines and that���s why you should ASK before doing things. You should be humble and sensitive to the situation and be patient especially when someone with obvious authority is asking you to stop or cease something that is not allowed.-There comments are always made by people asked to do so directly by Soke or someone very senior in the Dojo and are not doing so on their own accord. There is NO excuse for arguments that arise regarding this.

Another important point that is being more and more overlooked is the fact that Japan is a unique place. It is not America, England or any other country. Therefore, people need to be sensitive when visiting here. Garbage is treated differently than any other country and basic rules are expected to be followed with respect and consideration. This goes for how you handle garbage at your Ryokan, Hotel etc. It should be handled in the expected manner . Culture, rules and other things you take for granted in your home country do not apply in Japan or can even be considered rude or disrespectful in Japan. There is NO excuse for continued misunderstanding in this area. The reputation of the Bujinkan and its members are at stake.

Also, members are now attending training sessions with their families, children, friends and colleagues. This generally requires permission by the instructor, or Soke, if at his class. It is the sole responsibility of the member bringing someone to gain permission for those people to watch training, take pictures, etc.

People who bring someone must be respectful as well as take responsibility for those people to understand the rules. Otherwise, no one will be allowed to watch training or be present while training is taking place unless they are a participating Bujinkan member. This statement has been made on several occasions.

Most importantly, Shidoshi are responsible for their students when they visit the Hombu and should be aware of when they are visiting. Students visiting will be representing their Shidoshi when they are here. Please be aware that the names of the Shidoshi are often asked when people are visiting in order to be clear on the person���s history or credibility. This is common sense in the world of Budo. Especially, senior members of the Bujinkan have a growing responsibility for their students' actions as well as upholding the honor and respect of the Bujinkan.

We are asking everyone to be more sensitive to the situation and therefore preserve the training experience for present and future Bujinkan members. Above all, this is expected and requested out of respect for our Soke and the Bujinkan.

Hope to see you all in Japan.

Doug Wilson, 12th Dan - Bujinkan Hombu Dojo
George Ohashi, 12th Dan - Bujinkan Hombu and Ayase Class Administrator

I had to deal with this guy when I was in San Diego. So far no connection with Sensei. He was here once in Japan but the appearance was quite embarrassing. Don't want to go into too much detail, but he is one to avoid. I know people who have verifed his existence on Navy Seal teams but the rep is not good.

That's all. Avoid the weirdos.

Cheers