Walking With The Tengu: Recent Episodes
Matthew
A podcast exploring classic writings as they relate to the modern martial artist.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Support the podcast at: https://www.patreon.com/walkingtengu
What happens when you give monkeys 3 measures of acorns in the morning and 4 at night? They get angry. But what happens when you give them 4 in the morning and 3 at night? They are content.This is true with martial artists as well. Our perceptions of the same thing presented two different ways can make all the difference in the world.
Support Walking With The Tengu buy purchasing the small pocket volume of classical quotes with musings and training prompts. Buy it here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html
Find a vast library of classical Chinese works to read for free at: ctext.org
Have you ever been traveling, stuck somewhere, or whatever reason not been able to get in some training?
Today I share for exercises for squeezing some extra training into your day that I've included in a little pocket volume that you can find here:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html
It contains a collection of short quotes from mostly classical works with a short meditation and paired with an overt and a covert training prompt. I have sourced these from Boxing, BJJ, Judo, Sumo, Shuai Jiao, and Iaido. These 12 solo exercises, 6 overt, 6 covert, can benefit anyone who practices just about any martial art. There is a brief description of each in the back.
What can one learn from a video instructional from a classical Japanese martial art? I think quite a bit, though it may not immediately be obvious.
There are two ideas from the latest OHIR instructional that I think can be applied to any martial art. A lesson on initiative and a lesson on chaining techniques within the tempo of an encounter.
Ono-ha Itto-ryu Volume 1: Kiriotoshi
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/izt1d
Classical Martial Arts Ideas
https://walkingtengu.wixsite.com/tengu/post/classical-martial-arts-ideas
Today we look at just a small set of the lessons to be found in Jonathan Bluestein's book "The Martial Arts Teacher"
These include assuming the best in different situations and the methods and ways of structuring a curriculum.
You can find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Teacher-Practical-Guide/dp/B0C6VWP6NP
Today we look at the first book from the "Secrets of Itto-ryu" by Sasamori Junzo and translated by Mark Hague.
Ono-ha Itto-ryu is closely linked with Kendo and was one of the two styles of swordsmanship personally patronized by the Tokugawa Shogunate.
In this text we learn some lessons from the life and mistakes of the founder of the Itto-ryu, Ito Ittosai Kagehisa. Lessons both relevant and important to every martial artist today.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
When an atrocity is committed against someone, are they justified in committing an atrocity in return?
We look at what is a justifiable response in today's episode.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Today we have two short parables that contain big lessons for martial artists and we look at how this applies to determining if a martial art is useful.
Find out how a bottle gourd, a hand cream, a twisted tree and a yak relate to determining how useful a martial art is.
References:
https://ctext.org/zhuangzi/enjoyment-in-untroubled-ease
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hui_Shi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuangzi_(book)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_raccoon_dog
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Did you know the Vikings had their own version of the crazy cat lady? Except his nickname was "the Sledgehammer" and his twenty magical cats were his bodyguards?Find out how Thorstein and his brothers handle their next challenge and why unnamed Norwegians in the sagas are Star Trek "red shirts."Plus, I talk through a simple headlock defense for the next time you have a crazy Viking cat man trying to drag you headlong into a swamp where you'll both sink to your deaths.Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.isTo sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
I've talked about a few of my confrontations over the years and how they all amounted to nothing happening. Today, I relate the story of the same thing happening to a training partner of mine and how he lived his martial art in his daily life and was able to face physical violence and achieve an acceptable "win condition."
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
The bad neighbor Hrolleif finally gets justice served after killing Ingimund. Though Thorstein uses quite a bit of strategy to bring it about.
Find out how Jokul hiding in a wood-pile brings about the wretched Hrolleif's demise.
Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.is
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
I again tackle the topic of etiquette in the martial arts, why American culture is dying, why etiquette is a reflection of the health of a society, and how this relates a the stability of human society.
Can the martial arts help?
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
We have another story from the Zhuangzi today. About a little frog in a well and a turtle who tells him of something impossible called "the ocean." I also give you a bonus Chinese idiom known as a cheng yu that I think works well in English too.
坐井觀天 - zuò jǐng guān tiān - Which I might translate as: "To sit in a well and look at the sky."
Listen to today's episode to find out what that means!
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
We return to the Zhuangzi today where we hear the tale of a monkey who showed off to a king and got some unintended consequences despite his very real skill.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
In this episode we look at a new book coming out in November in the US and December 2023 globally. It is being published by YMAA. I have several of their books on my shelves. This new book is called "Blurred Boundaries: A Martial Arts Legacy and the Shaping of Taiwan” by Hong, Tse-han and translated by Chris Bates.
It is a deeply philosophical and yet practical book relevant to all martial artists. I relate a short story about the Hong brothers confronting an organized crime group that was interfering with their family's business in today's episode.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blurred-boundaries-tse-han-hong/1142981332
https://www.amazon.com/Blurred-Boundaries-Martial-Legacy-Shaping/dp/1594399808
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
We meet Hrolleif and his mother Ljot who are the worst neighbors ever in this section. Find out how salmon fishing brings about the end of dear old Ingimund and how seppuku, ritual suicide, relates to this section of the saga.
Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.is
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Ingimund finally gives in to "fate" and moves to Iceland. We find out he's pretty boring at naming things and that he's not above manipulating people on legal technicalities to get what he wants. Find out what happens when you bring a weapon into a Norse temple.
Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.is
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Our saga takes us through the battle of Havsfjord, a kind of Norwegian battle of Sekigahara, and into the fate and destiny that eventually drives the reluctant Ingimund to move to Iceland. Plus there are some shamans. Some who predict Ingimund's future and in a moment of petulance transports an amulet of his all the way to Iceland just to prove a point. Plus some others who are hired to track it down, while locked in a shed, and are to be paid in butter and tin.
We get a little more insight into free-will, predestination, and what his honorable to this people.
Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.is
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to:walkingtengu.wix.com/tenguand scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
We continue the saga of the people of Vatnsdal today. Thorstein gets married, has a son and we learn a bit about naval combat between Viking groups. As well as what characteristics can be inferred from the text about the qualities of a good warrior and the basics of good strategy.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
We begin the saga of the people of Vatnsdal today. As we see how standards about great deeds, some backhanded comments, and a very large bandit results in a marriage suggestion. We look at some of the tactics used and talk a little about the morals and ethics we can infer and interpret from this part of the saga.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
We lay the groundwork for looking at the Icelandic Sagas today. What philosophical ideas did they hold about ethics, violence, and the intersection of the two. What makes the Sagas different from other literature of the time and what biases do we need to be aware of? Why were serious duels called "going to the island?" Let's take a look at these questions and get ready to jump into a world oddly both very different from our own and yet also more familiar to us than the rest of Europe at the time.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
What is the "art of fighting without fighting?" Where did Bruce Lee get the idea for this story and what classical Japanese work did it originate in?
We explore these ideas in today's episode.
For more information check out: https://sourcingbrucelee.blogspot.com/2020/12/where-did-bruce-lee-get-idea-for.html
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image Credit: Bruce Lee's "Enter The Dragon" movie still
When we suspect things are going to go bad more than is realistic then we are susceptible to the pessimism bias. Find out how car tires and martial arts training relates in this micro-episode.
MSD - Mental Self-Defense
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image Credit: Jan Matejko
How could iaido, a solo form based method of sword-drawing, have any practical impact on my jiu-jitsu training? Having freshly returned from an iaido seminar in the Pacific Northwest of the United States I make an attempt in this episode to articulate better the answer to that question and provide some thoughts on my experiences at my first iaido seminar. Plus, what are hopefully some helpful constructive criticisms that can help other newcomers better navigate the iaido waters for the first time.
My etiquette notes: https://walkingtengu.wixsite.com/tengu/post/how-to-navigate-iaido-seminar-etiquette
Free solo jiu-jitsu instructional: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/self-master-solo-bjj-training-drills-by-john-danaher
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
When we judge the likelihood of future events based on how often they have occurred in the past we engage in something that can be called The Gambler's Fallacy. This incorrect thinking can impact our ability to make good choices be it in training, sparring, self-defense, or life.
MSD - Mental Self-Defense
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image Credit: The Gamblers Painting by Michelangelo Caravaggio
Inspired by Randel Davis from the Kung Fu Conversations podcast (@kfconversations) Dean Suter of the Musha Shugyo podcast (@mushashugyopodcast) and I discuss the question: "What is the difference between the ancient and modern warrior?"
Other participating in this collaborative effort with their own unique take and martial backgrounds include:
The Dirt Wasp Podcast
Budo Etc
Talking Fists
Way of the Fist
Budo Brothers
Martial Thoughts Podcast
Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio
Today we return to our origins with a short story or parable from Issai Chozanshi's Daoist work the Inaka Soshi, sometimes translated as "The Hayseed Daoist."
The story today is about a rat who prayers fervently to the gods that all the cats in the world be kicked to death at once. He's got some thoughts about why this prayer is reasonable and then an old toad gives him some feedback on his prayer request... and a story about free market economics and salt monopolies.
This story has some important lessons for the modern martial artist about our intentions and introspection on self-inflicted problems.
Also you'll learn how to distinguish a nekomata from a bakeneko, two different kinds of cat spirits in Japanese folklore!
For more information on nekomata check out Uncanny Japan's episode on the topic at: https://uncannyjapan.com/podcast/supernatural-cats-nekomata/
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image Credit: Unknown
This first bias we look at is known as "fundamental attribution error." This is when we judge others differently than how we judge ourselves when we do the same thing. It's pretty common and I relate examples both from general life and the martial arts. Plus with some bonus Stoic quotes for good measure on how to guard ourselves from this bias.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image Credit: Bernard Trebacz "Argument"
This first fallacy we look at is known as anecdotal. Often referred to as "anecdotal evidence" we find this fallacy all through the martial arts world and is often at the heart of our martial arts delusions.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image Credit: Unknown
We spend a lot of time talking about physical self-defense. However, what can we do to protect our minds from being led astray or manipulated? Today we lay the ground for a new series on how to recognize and protect yourself from bad thinking.
Bad thinking leads to bad conclusions, which leads to bad training and ultimately to bad outcomes. The martial arts and self-defense worlds of today are rife with bad thinking.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image Credit: Unknown
What does one do when the warrior ethos calls someone to do something to express loyalty and gratitude... but the laws of the nation prohibit it?
Daidouji has some thoughts in the final chapter of the Budoushoshinshu. In many ways this is the capstone to Daidouji's thoughts on what a warrior should do when there are no wars to be fought.
Also, ghosts.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image: Toyokuni "Ghost of Koheiji"
What happens when we give strategic advice and it goes bad?
What does this have to do with Victorian era sea-captains?
Why did Daidouji think Yamamoto Kansuke was a good example and why do I disagree?
Daidouji has some thoughts for his young charges and I interpret through the lens of a modern reader.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image: "Kanesuke Yamamoto dies in the battle of Kawanakajima" by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (19th century)
How do we handle unlikely events that can have negative outcomes we are unwilling to accept?
What should we think about when we want to keep those important to us safe in one of these events?
What will you do when you lord decides to kill one of your coworkers and you need to chase him down so he doesn't escape?
What do we do when we deserve some recognition, reward, or rank... but we do not receive it?
Daidouji has some thoughts for his young charges and I interpret through the lens of a modern reader.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Daidouji speaks directly to the idea of training in the martial arts in this episode. What kind of person looks like a martial artist?
Who should train the martial arts?
When does miso stink too much of miso?
As well as some thoughts on people who only train partially and lead others astray in their ignorance.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
If you would like to download a PDF of this chapter translation you can receive a link to the download it with an additional more literal translation and Japanese vocabulary when you sign up for new episode notifications as well.
Art: Katsushika Hokusai
We get some discussion on budgeting for samurai armor, how to equip your servants, and considerations to prepare for when your head is cut off by the enemy. It may not sound like it, but we then relate these topics to how they can apply to you today, in our modern times.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Daidouji Yuuzan gives us some thoughts on situational awareness when traveling. There are a lot of reasons why a samurai might be traveling with his lord. Sankin-koutai 参勤交代 "alternate attendance" might be one, though there certainly were other reasons.
Likewise, we discuss a few ways this can be applied to modern travel.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image: Tokuriki Tomikichiro
Daidouji has a number of chapters that are basically tips for samurai who are traveling. I've combined a few of these into a short episode with some attempts to relate them to our martial training. Turns out I think I am on the right track as at the end of one of these chapters Daidouji Yuuzan makes the point himself that the principles in these chapters are also for the training of the martial arts.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image: Utagawa Hiroshige
Today we hear a story from the Keicho era (1596-1615) about a warrior named Tsukuda Mataemon and a misperception about his spear. We then look at how this story is an important lesson in how to be considerate to others.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image: Utagawa Kunikazu
How we respond to people when we are asked to do something difficult or unpleasant matters. Daidouji Yuuzan writes on this topic today for young samurai in his Budoushoshinshu and it is important to consider when training the martial arts as well.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image: Kawase Hasui
The decisions about why you are willing to commit violence and for what reasons you are willing to die should be considered deeply long before you are ever faced with a real decision on the matter. Daidouji Yuuzan writes on this topic today for young samurai in his Budoushoshinshu.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Image: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
What's the difference between a common thief and a samurai who steals? Daidouji elaborates on this topic and we relate it to the modern martial arts.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
To help me keep doing this check out the options here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
"Be strong to be useful." The maintenance of one's health is a topic that spans cultures and history. Today we look at what Daidouji Yuuzan has to say to young samurai about this topic.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
To help me keep doing this check out the options here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
Image: Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1853, "A scene showing the Doctor Huatuo attending to the warrior Guanyu's arm wound."
Daidouji instructs us in this episode about the dangers of growing into positions of authority and the pitfalls that can come with forgetting what it is like to be in a lower position. I compare this to martial arts training and dig a little into the examples Daidouji cites to provide a little background.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
To help me keep doing this check out the options here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
Uozumi Kagekata: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%AD%9A%E4%BD%8F%E6%99%AF%E5%9B%BA
Cover Art: Egawa Tarozaemon playing the koto by Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
What should we do when someone comes to us with an idea they want to rope us into? Or wants to ask us for advice? When should we get involved and how should we do this? When should we say no? Daidouji Yuuzan has some thoughts about the when, why, and how of getting involved in other people's affairs.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
To help me keep doing this check out the options here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
What's the point of being a martial artist? Especially, if you're practicing one that is serious about the application of violence. Today we look at how this works practically in our daily lives and what it means to be a "warrior."
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email. To help me keep doing this check out the options here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
Did you know that there was sick leave and noise complaints in Tokugawa era Japan? Apparently, even samurai had to think about such things. Find out how that relates to us in today's episode.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email. To help me keep doing this: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
Is there really any point to solo training in the martial arts? Some arts make it a key training method. Others are almost devoid of it. We look at both the criticisms of solo training and what we can do with it.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me keep going here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
A chance encounter with an Aikido article brought up some interesting questions about translating "The Tengu's Sermon on the Martial Arts" and gives some insight into the value of studying the classics for a martial artist.
"Learning From The Tengu" by Miles Kessler: https://theintegraldojo.com/learning-from-the-tengu/
The episode about this section of the Tengu's "sermon." https://anchor.fm/walkingtengu/episodes/Tengus-Sermon-13-Drinking-Boiling-Water-e3pn50
Sakekasu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sake_kasu
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
How should we go about disagreeing with others. Our instructors and training partners? Daidouji gives some advice on this topic. We also speak briefly about the difference of questioning your instructor versus asking questions. An important distinction. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email. Support the podcast here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
I've often described the martial arts world as more gossipy than a sewing circle. Daidouji Yuuzan had some thoughts about this as apparently things were no different in his day and age. He also makes a distinction between people who are merely boastful and those who spread baseless rumors.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
A six minute episode? This is an extremely fast, practical exercise.
Learn to recognize these four common logical fallacies in your own thoughts and conversations and you'll a better thinker and communicator.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
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How does a martial artist show their character when there is no conflict? Daidouji Yuuzan points out in today's selection that it's not actually all that hard to find ways to do this.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
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Reflections on training, tradition and the end of the year.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
We take a short break from the Budoushoshinshu to tackle a question that I hear come up from time to time: Why do we continue to perform traditions and actions from the cultures where our martial arts originated?
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
When everyone is "special" that quality just becomes "normal." What makes a person truly of value, over and above the normal? We look at what Daidouji Yuuzan thinks about how one can go about surpassing others on the path to excellence.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
Daidouji Yuuzan joins us this week with some thoughts on how borrowing, stealing and loaning one's lord's authority. We look at how this relates to the logical fallacy of an "appeal to authority." How citing an expert is NOT an example of this fallacy and then spend some time looking at how this all relates to the martial arts. I also give practical steps in how to discern good information from bad.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email. Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
Are you a part of a tribe? I suspect we all are in some way. We explore Daidouji's thoughts in this next episode about what constituted a noteworthy samurai of his "tribe" and ask some questions about how that may relate to you today.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email. Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
What do Zen priest and Samurai titles have in common? Don't worry, we're not going to delve too deep into that, but there is a point here that Daidouji Yuuzan makes about not wasting your time and the importance of experts.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
Apparently, some of Daidouji Yuuzan's coworkers were whiners. In this episode we look at his advice on how to push ourselves out of comfort zones and how to have a better mindset when facing hardship.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
The only thing worse than a sewing circle... is a bunch of martial artists. Let's take a look at what Daidouji Yuuzan, a samurai in the early Tokugawa era had to say about gossip and slander.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
What is better? To be a warrior in a garden or a gardener in a war? Today we look at what Daidouji Yuuzan has to say about the importance of training both the literary and combative arts.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Help me justify all these books to my wife by supporting me here: http://patreon.com/walkingtengu
What does choosing a horse have to do with a modern martial artist? Daidouji Yuuzan, author of the Budoushoshinshu, offers some thoughts on the principles of choosing a horse that can have an immediate impact on both your training and your training equipment.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
In this episode we start into an exploration of the Budoushoshinshu, written in the early Tokugawa era as a manual to young samurai as the warrior class was grappling with what it meant to be warriors in a time and place without war. We look at a little of the history and the background of the work. Contrast the Confucian nature of this work with the Zen Buddhist outlook of the Hagakure and then delve into one of the early lessons. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Today I am going to give you my retelling of a very short story from Issai Chozanshi’s Inaka Soshi. These are parable-like stories not unlike Aesop’s Fables but much more subtle. I’ve taken a little creative license in these retellings, so be aware that they’re not direct translations but hopefully I can retain their intrinsic lessons while also making them fun to listen to.
Cicada track from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tanna_japonensis_v01.ogg
Today we take a look at the difference between titles and honorifics in the Japanese language and how they are used in the Japanese martial arts. Some of these terms include, sensei, senpai, soke, shihan, kyoshi, and hanshi.
Special thanks to Grigoris Miliaresis for making sure I had not forgotten how to use the Japanese language. Grigoris is a writer for the Japanese martial arts magazine Gekkan Hiden (budojapan.com) and a practitioner of two classical Japanese martial arts with additional experience and background in modern budo like judo and kendo.
Check out Grigoris' Gekkan Hiden (月刊秘伝) articles here: https://bit.ly/2yojR7h
Closing out this exploration of martial themes in the Star Wars films, Jaredd Wilson of the Martial Thoughts Podcast and I talk about the prequels.
One of the things that seems obvious in retrospect, but I had never noticed before was how closely the story of the Jedi in the prequels parallels the myths of the Shaolin temple.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little foray into martial themes found in the modern myths of the Star Wars stories. Let me know what you thought and if you noticed anything we missed.
Jaredd Wilson of the Martial Thoughts Podcast and I continue our discussion of the martial themes in the Star Wars films with Return of the Jedi. At least for me the Heihou Kadenshou came up repeatedly as I rewatched the film so, if you haven't already, it might help to go back and listen to Episode 35: Through Dragonfly Eyes after this one.
Continuing our conversation on martial themes in the Star Wars films. Jaredd Wilson of the Martial Thoughts Podcast and I tackle Empire Strikes Back. For better or worse this film has influenced and is built off many of the assumptions, preconceived notions, misunderstandings and also truths of the martial arts and their masters. Embodied both in other martial arts films and in our own real life martial arts training.
Recently, I got to join Jaredd Wilson of the Martial Thoughts Podcast in a discussion about martial arts themes in film. Today, we look at Star Wars: A New Hope wherein we discuss a variety of themes ranging from verbal deescalation to the hero's journey as a symbolic theme across many stories and how the Star Wars films were in many ways inspired by the samurai films of the 1950s.
In this episode we take a look at a new translation of the Heiho Kadensho, translated and annotated by Jack Hathway. In it we draw a few lessons about the why, what and how of our training through the eyes of a Yagyu Shinkage-ryu practitioner. Written in the early 17th century for the shogun of Japan. This work is a unique treatise on strategy and philosophy that can be applied on both a personal level as a martial artists on in a much more public way in our daily lives.
You can find the book here.
Mr. Hathway's school can be found here: https://kobudo-renbukan.wixsite.com/arakido
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WI.Yagyu
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
In this episode we look at what ethics is and how it relates to self-defense. We also spend some time talking about how to articulate force, how to define a threat, how to understand scaling force and the intersection of all this with our personal ethic of violence.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
In this episode we rush through an overview of the traditional philosophical division known as metaphysics wherein we attempt to answer the question: What is real? We then think about some basic questions on how to apply this field to our martial arts.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
In this introductory episode we look at one of the three traditional divisions of philosophy. Epistemology, which is the study of knowledge. How do we know anything and how can we trust that what we know is accurate. A very important question for anyone studying the martial arts.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
In this introductory episode we look at a classic allegory used to teach philosophical principles. We then take a stab at interpreting it through the lens of martial arts training.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
In this episode we build off the foundations of the last two episodes about the Greeks and take a detailed look at the Battle of Thermopylae (as well as a battle that comes afterwards) as a lens into the classical Greek views of which was more important. Displaying bravery or obeying orders.
We then take a look at how to apply this in our own daily martial arts practice.
To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.
Today we look at the question "What is courage?" through the lens of the Greek hoplite. We build off what we learned in the last episode about the standards and beliefs rooted in the Homeric epics in Classical Greece.
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In our longest episode to date. We turn to a new, perhaps surprising, source for martial philosophy. The Greeks. Specifically Homer's Iliad. Where we explore this idea of "No Man Left Behind."
What makes us care about retrieving the bodies of dead soldiers at significant cost and risk to the still living? The blurry echoes of these ideas may be found in the shattered remnants of the distant past .
Referenced in this episode:
“The Data That Is Killing The Self Defense Industry” - https://anchor.fm/high-percentage/episodes/The-Data-That-Is-Killing-The-Self-Defense-Industry-e4rivv
Today we try to provide a very basic framework by which you can answer this question. As usual I'm not going to tell you an answer but we'll spend a little time talking about how we can think about this problem and come up with a reasonably well-thought out response.
You can read today's quote in context here: https://ctext.org/mozi/anti-fatalism-i
We continue looking at the work of Mozi and see that he has some thoughts on how to Get Things Done. Find out how this can apply to your martial practice.
Today's selection is from the chapter titled "Self-Cultivation." (https://ctext.org/mozi/self-cultivation)
In this episode we look at the way of the junzi (君子), the "superior person" according to Mozi. A philosophical opponent to Kongzi (Confucius) who, I think, lends his philosophy well to anyone looking to practice the martial arts.
Our selection today comes from Book 1 "Befriending The Learned" (https://ctext.org/mozi/befriending-the-learned).
You might also be interested in watching the 2006 Hong Kong film "Battle of the Warriors" also known in English as "A Battle of Wits." Which depicts a student of Mozi putting his philosophy of self-defense for the weak against the strong into action. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485863/)
In this episode we look at the first few lines of The Analects and find a description of what could be interpreted as traits of an ideal martial arts school.
https://walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu
學而時習之，不亦說乎？ 有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎？ 人不知而不慍，不亦君子乎？
To learn and then at the appropriate time put into practice what you have learned: Is this not a pleasure? To have associates in study coming to one from distant parts—does not this also bring joy? To be patient even when others do not understand: Is this not the way of an accomplished person?
In this episode we finish out "The Tengu's Sermon on the Martial Arts" with some examples from then-modern entertainment and close with an overview and recap of how to structure our training and how to not sabotage our efforts.
Support us at: https://www.patreon.com/walkingtengu
Reference:
Benkei and Yoshitsune cross the Ataka Barrier: https://youtu.be/ySTVrIIf-c0?t=478
What's the point of talking about philosophy and the martial arts? How could this even be a practical thing for a modern martial artist to engage in? I suggest in this episode that you can take three concrete steps in just about any martial art, that will improve your ability to overcome challenges in life.
Website: Walking With The Tengu
References:
Zhuang Zi: Cook Ding
Walking With The Tengu episode: The Daoist story of Cook Ding and flow states
We get started on the final chapter in the Tengu's sermon where the tengu discuss which weapon is best and give us some pointers on both good posture and how to learn from farmers and laborers.
Support the show at: https://patreon.com/walkingtengu
References:
Issai Chozanshi: "The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts"
Ellis Amdur's "Hidden In Plain Sight"
We finish out chapter 3 tying together all these ideas into a coherent end point. We get some insight into why "secret techniques" are both important and don't exist.
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Today the tengu gives us some thoughts on initiative and conditioning.
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Some clarification on suigetsu and we visit the word zanshin, a concept that could impact every single real-life potentially combative scenario you will ever face.
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Wherein we tackle some seemingly nonsensical phrases like to be moving but not moving and words like suigetsu (water reflecting the moon) and how underneath both apply to the most serious of modern combatives.
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What do we mean when we say "traditional" or "modern" martial art? Is there a better way we could approach this topic? We explore this idea and look at a possible alternative framework based more on the traits of a style rather than approaching each with our narrow preconceived notions. For more information check out our reading list.
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The paper referenced in this episode is: Martial arts studies as Kulturwissenschaft: A possible theoretical framework Author: Sixt Wetzler https://mas.cardiffuniversitypress.org/articles/abstract/10.18573/j.2015.10016/
Finishing out chapter 2 the tengu gives us some thoughts on teaching the martial arts to children.
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We continue chapter 2 with some serious talk about lanterns.
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In today's episode we revisit the work of Zhuangzi with a look at a particularly skill butcher and how this works in understanding what is meant when someone talks about a "Way" or "the Way."
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We get started on chapter 2 picking up right where we left off. Getting into some pretty heady stuff about how to bring everything we talked about in chapter 1 together.
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Today we take a brief interlude from the Tengu's Sermon proper and take a light hearted look at one of his other short parables about some very philosophical creatures and all the big words they like to use.
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A quick update with some listener feedback I wanted to share. Happy New Year!
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In this episode we close out chapter one as things start to get serious when a more senior tengu weighs in on the discussion so far and relates a message that strikes directly at the heart of all martial arts, both traditional and modern, today.
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In this episode we finally come to one of the main points that the last two episodes were building up to and tackle the sometimes annoying word "mushin" (無心).
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In this episode we tackle the next part of the first chapter of the Tengugeijutsuron wherein Issai spends some time addressing facing a bigger, stronger, untrained opponent.
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We dig into the first part of chapter 1 of "The Tengu's Discourse on the Martial Arts" in today's episode. Wherein the tengu talk a bit about technique versus principle and I spend some time justifying Chozanshi's use of the word "chi."
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In our first supplemental episode, we briefly introduce Issai Chozanshi, the author of the work we'll be looking at for the next few months.
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In this episode we begin work on the text known as the "Tengu's Discourse on the Martial Arts." In the preface, written by a contemporary of the author it becomes obvious that things haven't changed all that much in the world of martial arts.
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In this episode we consider a story about some hawks being jerks to an owl and the owl's totally cool response.
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References: Setsuninto--Katsujinken
In this episode we look at a story that is over 2000 years old and how it's lessons on fear and stress are just as critical today to the modern martial artist as it was so long ago.
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In this episode we tackle a story from the Inaka Soshi about change and acceptance of one's state.
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In this episode we take a look at a section of the classic Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi about speed.
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In this episode we take a brief look at what a tengu is and why I chose it as representative of this podcast.
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In this episode we talking briefly about what the plan is for this podcast. I relate a short example from Aesop's Fables and quickly address the challenges with some of the words found in classic martial arts texts.
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