Budo, Kobudo & Japanese Artisanry - The Seido Blog

この度、定期的に更新してきた星道ブログと武道研究会 のサイトを今まで以上に見やすく、さらに充実した内容へとバージョンアップを図るため、星道オンラインサイト内に移動し、新しくリニューアルします！！
従来のサイトと比較して、デザインの変更のほか、多くのコンテンツを加えました。また、ユーザーの皆様がより快適にご利用いただくことができるよう、ページの表示速度の高速化、レスポンシブデザインなど、優れたブラウジング・エクスペリエンスをお届けします。 今後も今まで以上により多くのコンテンツを定期的に配信していく予定です。是非、新しい星道ブログ、武道研究会のページをご覧ください。一人でも多くの皆様にご覧いただけることを願っています。

We’ve been going around interviewing experienced martial art teachers for a while now. Mr. Saitō Hitohira, who actually knew Morihei Ueshiba when he was a kid and devoted to Aikido from an early age, is still living in Iwama, right next to the Aiki Jinja. When we had the opportunity to get an interview with him, we did not hesitate, and here is how it all happened.

Yes, we’ve jumped in, we’re now working with Aikido Journal. It’s really great news for us, for Aikido Journal, and for the whole Aikido community. We’re going to do lots of things together, but it also involves money, so, as usual: full transparency from us!

毎年、11月1日～3日開催の明治神宮で催される秋の大祭は、一年で最も重要な祭礼のひとつです。3日間通して、郷土芸能や能・狂言、邦楽邦舞などが奉納されるほか、明治天皇の生誕日である11月3日には、柔道、合気道、弓道をはじめとした各種武道演武、流鏑馬、また、古武道の各流派による「日本古武道大会」も奉納行事として盛大に行われています。秋の大祭での古武術奉納は、明治神宮が創建された大正9年（1920年）の11月1～3日の鎮座祭において大日本武徳会が古武術を奉納して以来の伝統があります。

Every year, in memory of Emperor Meiji, one of the biggest martial arts demonstrations in Japan takes place, at the so called "Meiji Shrine Yabusame Taikai". Honoring both, the Emperor Meiji and the gods enshrined at the Meiji Shrine, the event is held in the form of an ancient ceremony that dates back hundreds of years ago.

In the West, the word “Bokken” is widely used to refer to a wooden sword. However, in Japan, the proper word is “Bokuto”. Although less precise, the Japanese also use other terms like "Bokken" “Kidachi”, “Daito” and “Tachi” etc. Let’s see what the differences are and where those words come from.

Academic research about Budo culture and history is important, and popularizing it in different forms is at least as important as the research itself. Alex Bennett does both, and he does it well. In this interview, we start with Alex's story, his first encounter with Kendo, then how he decided to dedicate his life to practice, research and teaching. In the second half, we talk about the History of Budo and how all major Budo appeared and evolved through the 20th century.
Presentation of Alex Bennett’s interview by Jordy Delage.

The hakama serves to hide the movement of the feet in the practice of martial arts, and in Aikido in particular?
It is such a common explanation that it has almost become a truth for practically all practitioners. Unfortunately, it is false, and this is very easily demonstrated when we look at the history of this garment, how it was and how it still is worn in Japan.

In Asia as in the West, we often speak of the first Kanji of "Budo" (武道), the "Bu" (武), meaning "stopping the spear". This is an interpretation that dates back almost to the origin of Budo, that aimed to draw the picture of peaceful martial arts, ignoring historical facts. Let's go back to the origins of the term to determine its true meaning.

Having one's training clothes embroidered is the most common thing in Japan. However, westerners often know just little about this topic and some struggle with making the right choice. That is why in this article we are going to talk about embroidery content, show some common mistakes and give advice on how to avoid them and last but not least, explain how we make them at Seido.