Student Visits Japanese Art Exhibit in Chicago In September, Castle Rock AIKIDO student, Sean Hannon, was stuck in Chicago during a layover and had just barely enough time to pop into The Art Institute of Chicago to visit their featured exhibit on decorative, Japanese Screens called: Beyond Golden Clouds.It was a powerful exhibit with perhaps nearly one hundred different, folding Japanese screens called "byōbu" from as far back as the 15th century. Although photography was not permitted, the ... Read Full Story
Part Three: Courage - Doing the Hard ThingWe continue to explore Bushido's major principles, concepts, and values as articulated in the classic 1899 Japanese text, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, by Inazo Nitobe, and evaluate their applicability in today's modern world. Bushido: The Soul of Japan is one of the first major works on samurai ethics and Japanese culture. It is considered by some to be the first collective statement of what is commonly referred to as the Seven Virtues of Bushido.Nitob... Read Full Story
more on the development of iai, part 2...In the hands of Hayashizaki Jinsuke's successors the Muso Shinden Ryu underwent both technical and philosophical changes to a degree that greatly reduced its original combat effectiveness. These changes are further evidence of the social forces working in the daily lives of Edo-period citizens. These forces were reshaping the role of the warrior in that society, and in fact were challenging his very special social position. With this, the Edo-period wa... Read Full Story
Q: Will I hold back an advanced student if we train together?A: I have often observed in my many years of training, practicing, and teaching Aikido that many beginner or inexperienced Aikido students seem to be intimidated when training with a more advanced student. At seminars and large classes, I often see less experienced students (perhaps subconsciously) pairing themselves with other less experienced students, and conversely more advanced aikidoka pairing themselves with others of the sam... Read Full Story
Without a doubt, The Void Book is the most ambiguous, esoteric, and perhaps the most perplexing of the five books in The Book of 5 Rings. It is also the shortest of all the other books, perhaps because how does one endlessly elaborate on something called the void? Nonetheless, I'll give it a shot.Knowing what Musashi calls "the void" provides contrast for knowing what "is." Without knowledge, acceptance and awareness of the void Musashi asserts that there is confusion. What "is" and the void ... Read Full Story
Japanese family crests, or Kamon, came into existence around the 12th century. Coincidentally, this was about the same time as the advent of European Coat of Arms. In Japanese, 'Ka' is one of several words connoting family and 'mon' is short for 'monshou' or crest. Japanese kamon have gone through significant evolution in terms of their use and social significance over the centuries. Initially, only members of the imperial family, lords, and samurai were permitted use of kamon. Between the 13... Read Full Story
Q: Why is it that we bow so much in Aikido class? What does it mean?A: I have been asked this question often. I think the simple answer is that it helps develop a correct attitude of respect in all things we do, both on the mat and off. Aikido is not a sport. It is a discipline or an educational process for training the mind, body and spirit. A correct attitude of sincerity and a proper atmosphere are essential to the learning process of Aikido. When we enter or leave the practice area of the... Read Full Story
On Wednesday, January 28th, Kei Izawa Sensei of Tanshinjuku Aikikai in Louisville, Colorado lectured to a crowd of nearly fifty on the last samurai of martial arts and Founder of the art of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. The one hour lecture was sponsored by The Center for Asian Studies and the catchy title, no doubt, contributed to the excellent turn out. Mr. Izawa, or Izawa Sensei as we know him in the Aikido community, was introduced by a lengthy and impressive docket of both business successes ... Read Full Story
(pictured to the right: Sean Hannon with Adam Schrager) A few months ago, twelve-time Emmy award winning television reporter Adam Schrager from NBC affiliate 9News in Denver spoke at the Parker Library on his new book, The Principled Politician: The Ralph Carr Story.The Principled Politician is the true story of a forgotten Republican Governor of Colorado who took an unpopular stance against ignorance and bigotry toward the treatment of Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor. A stance that wou... Read Full Story
When: Sunday, October 25th, 2009, 1-5pmCost: $25 (tax deductable checks can be made to Friends Of Zen, a non-profit organization)Presented by: American Zen Master, Jun Po Roshi and Zen practitioner, Kensho Len Silverston• Learn Revolutionary Mondo ZenTM process to experience deep clarity of pure mind• Transform Your Negative Emotions!• Take Control Your Life!• Discover a Clear, Open Channel for Awakening Your Mind, Body, & Spirit!• Naked Zen Philosophy Stripped of All Religious Connotatio... Read Full Story
