Engraving byYoshitoshi Tsukioka (1839-1892) Shingen contemplating the moon.
The Spirit and the Technique
Any Sobudo (martial arts) adept within Takeda-Ryu must practice the art of his choice with courtesy and an open-mind as taught by the school. Whoever does not partake in this mental evolution loses the true magnitude of the BUDO values and hence cannot aspire to achieve the level of conscience leading to self-command and self-possession.
The Takeda-Ryu spirit is one of contemporary chivalry making a knight of whom absorbs it. It is therefore unconceivable to attend the school hoping to get without giving anything. Any Aikido or Ju-jitsu takeda-Ryu student must from the start study not only the techniques - which remain but means – but also the human mind and spirit to be in harmony with their fellow-men. To achieve this two aspects of the human mind must be studied :knowledge-starting with self-knowledge- and action. It is above all a fight against the self. Soon, another one will appear that will have to be led : the daily struggle of life.
Indeed we are everyday confronted with various psychological and unfortunately sometimes physical aggressions. A constant awareness to face them in complete peace of mind is necessary. The Takeda-Ryu spirit is also to have the will to always do well what needs to be done and to act with conviction, circumspection and caution.
Sincerity is also a winning-card to succeed in martial arts. It cannot be otherwise since lying distorts reality hence truth.
As for Takeda techniques although very old they are but just means to shape both body and mind forged by the hard trainings imposed during lessons and courses. Through these means body and mind making one, physical and psychological self-command when confronted to danger will one day be reached. However, knowing that only the happy few achieve this state of sublimity and knowing that violence-prohibited in Takeda Ryu- prevails over everything it is important to keep one’s feet firmly on the ground. To realise this you just have to read the paper or simply to see the hatred, jealousy and baseness displayed by some martial arts contestants who are more interested in having than in being, in what others do than the positive things they do in life.
The technique and spirit of Takeda –Ryu make a whole which has to be observed everyday through one’s behaviour and not only through one’s words.
Right : Shingen Takeda’s standard also known as FURINKAZAN
FU
An army
"Quick...as the wind,
RIN
Silent...as the forest,
KA
Voracious...as the fire,
ZAN
Immutable...as the mountain"
Poem extracted from Chinese
military literary classic Sonshi.
Spirit and Disciplines
AIKI-JU JUTSU TAKEDA-RYU MAROTO-HA
World Takeda-Ryu Marotokan Federation - International Official Site