The Inner Nature Of Budo

Feb. 28, 1991

Mark J. Norton


I told my students in class the other day that I was not a master of weapons. Although I have studied weapons for several years now, they should not consider me to be the final word on the subject. There are many people who teach weapons and the martial arts. All teachings have an element of truth. The goal of the student is to discern that truth and apply it to himself.

This came about because of a question on the proper form of a jo kata. One of the students said that someone had told him that one of the moves I had taught him was wrong, and that it should be done this way. On being asked which was right, we examined both ways together. It turned out that the alternative reached the same position in the kata one move later, and the variation was to turn to one side or the other. I expressed my opinion that my approach was more controlled and perhaps more powerful, but allowed that the other was a viable approach. The point here was to have an open mind. Was I right or was the other instructor right? The answer is both were right (or wrong). Both were alternatives of the same move. Mine was right for me, the other perhaps best for him. I told the student to work on both approaches and determine which he thought was best.

This led to a short discussion on my approach to teaching weapons (and aikido). I am trying to teach the inner meaning of the sword (or any weapon). It is the philosophy of weapons. It is Budo.

The outward form is not the essence! Many times, I have been in the position of being taught some form, kata, or sequence of moves and I have felt that the instructor not showing the technique properly. During these times, I strive to accomplish the particular moves as he would have me do them. In my mind, however, I weigh the effectiveness of the moves. Do they work? Can they be countered? Is it appropriate for me? I think that this attitude is worth passing on to my students.

Why do we study weapons (or aikido)? There is a relationship between the mind, body, and a weapon. The study of martial arts explores this relationship. There are many variables to control. This is accomplished through practice and experience. Cut with a sword 10,000 times and you will learn how to cut with a sword. Will you learn correctly? That depends. If the person practicing has a clear set of objectives (control, power, timing, etc.). and monitors progress towards them, he will learn correctly.

This is not an easy thing to do, however. How can I know what good control is? What is proper timing? What are the trade-offs (flexibility vs. power, etc.)? Here is where the instructor enters. The teacher can offer insight to the student on what he should look for in practice. This ... is Shomen-uchikomi. Both the teacher and student should be aware that the teacher is sharing his current level of understanding. If all goes well, the teacher preceeds the student into deeper levels of comprehension.

Another reason for the study of martial arts is to learn the manipulation of rapid events. When two bodies come together, things can happen very quickly. Ideally, we as defenders would like to control the situation to avoid harm (to both self and agressor). I think this is a key element of the martial arts and is a strong reason to study them. This knowledge is applicable beyond physical combat. Events of today happen more rapidly than ever. If events happen too fast for reasoned thought, how then to react? The martial arts gives us wise reflexes. Trained responses which by-pass the higher levels of the thought process, but which are none-the-less valid for the situation. Extensive practice also gives us educated perceptions. A slight move or shift of the body will tell us volumes about what is to happen and what should be done.

Finally, we need to be acclimatized to violence to have calm in the face of danger. A green soldier on the field of battle may freeze at the sound of gunfire. A trained recruit has experienced gunfire many times in training, so the sounds of battle do not prevent him from performing. One cannot control a violent situation without understanding it. Experience is often the best way to understand it. Simulated violence may be a close enough substitute to be applied to the real thing.

The sword is a psychological devices to lead the mind of an aggressor to defeat. Lead the mind, lead the body. This can be applied to unarmed combat as well.