Why Katana Bowing is Necessary for Budo (But Why We DON'T Do it)

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Let's ask Seki Sensei | Online Katana Lessons

Күн бұрын

It is actually inaccurate to call Budo a “martial art” because Budo is originally meant to carry on the traditional fighting skills and show appreciation to the gods and respect toward each other through the process. This is why there is a saying that goes, 武道は礼に始まり礼に終わる, which means “Budo starts and ends with bowing.”
So today, Seki sensei, the 22nd headmaster of Kobudo Asayama Ichiden Ryu with 400 years of history, will introduce how we bow to the gods and our katana. It is very different from the ways it is generally done in many modern Iai Ryuha styles, so please watch till the end to find out about the details.
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Пікірлер: 80

@rtp4919 Жыл бұрын

I find the logic applied to the bowing very reasonable and respectful. As all considerations are taken into account. Please thank Seki Sensei for sharing this with us. On a separate note, allow this humble old man to wish you all a Happy Father's day. With much love and respect.

@johnchipmanseishinaikido1531 Жыл бұрын

These subtle details are so beneficial especially in a world where attention is very superficial and focus lacking. These old traditions reel in patience to practice such things

@jayim7996 Жыл бұрын

How I was taught to bow in Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo by my teacher, Morihiro Saito, was using the Yu bow. His explanation was in weapon practice, your bow was to be shallow, so to keep eyes on your training partner. He said it did not matter the difference in rank or if your partner was your teacher. Since Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo came from Koryu like Kashima Shintō Ryu some of the old traditions carried over.

@theguyinthechair225 Жыл бұрын

I just want to take a moment and say how much I really enjoy this series that you have created on Asayama Ichiden. I do not train actively now, but when I was younger, this was a great interest of mine, the katana. I did train and was a part of an organization from Japan. You and your Sensei touch on the nuances of the school much more than I can remember… it is good to have this.

@unrussleablejimmies4428 Жыл бұрын

I am deeply humbled by this thank you very much for sharing Seki-sensei and Shogo-sama!

@docwhiskey996 Жыл бұрын

These knowledge given in these videos is a pleasure and a privilege.

@AJBernard Жыл бұрын

This is enlightening! Thank you. We do some of these things in my Iaido school, and I've wondered why. I didn't realize there was so much mysticism involved!

@PoisonPython Жыл бұрын

While I don't personally train in martial arts It's still fascinating to learn about them and the rituals associated with them. Thank you for sharing these videos with us

@jjs3890 Жыл бұрын

I am loving every moment of learning this system. Everything little movement has a purpose and is explained in detail.

@davidrobbins6906 Жыл бұрын

I trained under the Komei Juku and our bow in was similar yet different. All done with the same detail in respectful representation of the Iaijutsu training. Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu Yamauichi Ha. Watching the demonstration brought back very strong feelings and I could feel the pull of those memories. Thank you for sharing your art and in keeping alive this spirit.

@MikeHagakure Ай бұрын

I have learned much from watch this. Thank you for sharing 🙏🙇‍♂ OSU!!

@Jesuselectrifyus 19 күн бұрын

My sensei taught me the Iaido federation style of bowing 🙇 but I love the difference!

@haydonation Жыл бұрын

I love this channel and all the content! I would love to see more on two katana style from Niten Ichi Ryu :) as that is what I’m mainly training. Thank you for all the knowledge and wisdom! :)

@blasalvice Жыл бұрын

Ahhhh I'm glad we're learning about this topic, I often hesitated on asking! Didn't quite know how to phrase my questions :)

@KateJohn2013England Жыл бұрын

We really love our Ryuha it's so brilliant 👍 Always ready for combat 🙏 We believe everything has energy or spirit and we thank everything from the car to the microwave 😮 And although we are not Japanese we have a special reverence for the Katana 🙏 We believe the Katana is one of the most spiritual symbols we have come across it just has a special energy about it 🙏 Thank you for this we love the history and trying to understand the meaning for all the acts we perform. This is so helpful 🙏 Thank you Shogo San and Master Seki for bringing this knowledge to us🙏 And not forgetting Tsukada Sensei and Kurosawa Sensei (camera guy Sensei) for all they do to share this wonderful Ryuha with us 👍🙏 Take care. Stay safe 🙏

@outboundflight4455 Жыл бұрын

What koryu do you practice

@jjs3890 Жыл бұрын

Well said. I am beyond grateful to be part of this community. See you Saturday!

@KateJohn2013England Жыл бұрын

@@outboundflight4455 Asayama Ichiden Ryuha! As in our! Take care. Stay safe 🙏

@KateJohn2013England Жыл бұрын

@SCD-MJJ We can't wait for Saturday best hour of the week 👍 See you there 👍 Take care. Stay safe 🙏 John and Kate

@itoeats 4 ай бұрын

I’m training in the style of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū. We have a lot of chiburi and rei. I love the fact that Asamaya Ichiden Ryu is always ready for combat and Sensei Seki being the most humble and skillful masters of our century. One day I dream of being sensei’s student. Love from Myanmar!

@letsasksekisensei 3 ай бұрын

We will be waiting for you too! www.patreon.com/lets_ask_sekisensei

@mattcgw Жыл бұрын

I'd be interested in seeing Saki-Sensei do some of the Kyoto tourist activities. His insight and knowledge would be immensely interesting. I'd really like to see a Fist martial arts master or practitioner (Karate, Judo etc.) Spar with Seki-Sensei or his student's. Completely blind with little preparation beforehand. Just to see the transferable skills between types of Martial Arts. Also how fighting with a double-edged western style sword can change the Kata or techniques of Japanese Kenjutsu styles. Like a cutlass, long-sword and so forth. The presence of a handguard obviously changes how you can approach and pressure your opponent. Whom doesn't have one.

@Metawraith Жыл бұрын

I don't formally train with the katana, but I quickly find myself enjoying the specific style taught by Seki Sensei. The general concept behind his style's bowing is similar to my own martial arts school's reasoning. Very much in tune with my own personal thoughts too.

@themainediverschannel4495 Жыл бұрын

I've learned so much from this channel. The moves I have learned I have applied to practicing with my Han Dynasty straight sword, albeit slight modifications of course. It is all a combination of spiritual and of exercise for me every day. Thank you so much for changing my life for the better mentally and physically.

@madeleineg2049 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video.

@douglasevans932 Жыл бұрын

Young elder Master teach good lessons 🙏 💯 11:41

@tungsteng1 11 ай бұрын

A martial artist in my country had self learned japanese kenjutsu. He was sharing his thought that when you have your sword, even image training with a wooden sword, suddenly all kind of bloodlust energy spike up. Put it to action and there will be bloodshed. That’s why the essence of etiquette in sword training is extremely important, it cools the hot and insane heads. The full perspective of any fight (let alone the deadly sword fight) is not only to combat but also to avoid the combat, to control the up and down scale of hostility, to make truce and dialogue instead of open fight... So people who is serious about learning sword should make a habit of respect and etiquette their reflective muscle memory. For their own safety in practical sense.

@sai-kittsui8883 Жыл бұрын

this is very interesting. There are aspects ,they let me view the Katana in an other way. It is always a pleasure listen to Seki Senseis Lectures. Hope I could meet him in future. Greetings from Germany

@Adhius 8 ай бұрын

Your videos made want to take proper care of a katana I own since a long while ago, even if it is a cheap one for cosplay. Thank you for all the effort both of you are putting in these videos! 本当にありがとうございます！心から感謝します。

@thomasturner4253 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Shogo for explaining this

@dubdeluxe6192 Жыл бұрын

interesting to learn, thanks

@sabahrahma1598 5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much

@circejean Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@WhiteApeMA 7 ай бұрын

At first glance it seems like alot, if one is not from these disciplines. But, you know, it's really nice to see at the same time, the practice of routinely respecting a weapon, what it's capable of, and what it represents... handling it with such care and structure. It's far harder to watch some practitioners of other sword disciplines, even if very skilled, still handle their weapons so complacently and sometimes completely carelessly outside of direct use. Great video! Looking forward to more.

@spacetimepilgrim Жыл бұрын

いつもありがとうございます

@Kitsuneinfernofox Жыл бұрын

Please please please do more tanto moves I absolutely love that sword and I’m eager to see more. I was thinking of getting one myself sometime

@secretagent4610 11 ай бұрын

"Everything begins and ends with respect." -Mas Oyama

@mudwalkers8338 6 ай бұрын

As a Christian, there are parts of this ritual that my religion prohibits me from doing, but it IS very beautiful and clearly deeply meaningful to everyone in your ryuha. Well done!

@outboundflight4455 Жыл бұрын

This is very interesting because other Koryu use different koryus customs within their syatem as well. This is mostly with the reiho and such. Really fascinating stuff. This pretty much confirms that not all koryu is pure. And even yet after so many generations amd soke the koryu we have today no matter how "pure" they say they are might do things differently than centuries ago by such a small detail with the nihonto or even body movement.

@mikemckague9506 10 ай бұрын

Japan makes some gorgeous blades such as Yamanbagiti Kunihiro,Heshikiri Hasebe & Onikirimaru

@mattcgw Жыл бұрын

I used to do weekly Karate. So we'd all have to bow at the beginning and end of the lesson to the Sensei.

@spencerthestupidsamurai7326 Жыл бұрын

I’d love for Seki Sensei to do an in depth look at honor and Bushido, in a more historically accurate sense.

@jjs3890 Жыл бұрын

He covers all that frequently in these videos and in class. He’s strongly recommended the online courses if you’re able.

@user-gs2kk3yl8s Жыл бұрын

Hello! I train Hokushin Itto-ryu, in this ryuha we hold our Katana in our right hand normally, and when we bow you turn the kantana into right about 90 degree.

@paulocesarribeiro756 Жыл бұрын

OSS!! Can you present the CC in Portuguese as well? Thanks...

@Johny_5 Жыл бұрын

You mention that as you're bowing to the kamidana the tsuka should be on the left to show respect. What is the implication/meaning of placing the katana with the tsuka to the right then? Or rather, when would that be considered appropriate, given its ease-of-draw appearance? I note that Shogo-san was doing so in one shot here, but the context/surrounding was not clear. It is not something I have come across before, so I am curious. Thank you for your excellent videos!

@johnchipmanseishinaikido1531 Жыл бұрын

Excellent explanations here thank you! When laying down katana, tsuka to left side, is the Ha facing in toward you?

@letsasksekisensei Жыл бұрын

Yes, the sharp side toward yourself!

@crow666ification Жыл бұрын

In my martial art (well I on't practice it anymore) at the beginning and at the end we stand on seiza and say : Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo, then we clap twice ,do a zarei and clap another time. Then do another zarei to the sensei ,(sensei ni rei), who is also doing it, saying at the same time onegaishimasu (if its on the beginning) or domo arigato gozaimashita (at the end).

@jfrault7960 Жыл бұрын

Mr Shogo. Could you please ask Sensei if he has any films of him competing when he was younger and if so, would he mind sharing them on his KZfaq channel ? 🙏 . Thank you.

@slipperywhale7089 Жыл бұрын

Greetings!

@narusawa74 Жыл бұрын

I knew I spotted some Yagyu influence !! The man was such an artist that you can trace his mindset through the techniques. Clan Yagyu, training 007 agents since the 17th century😂

@knate44 Жыл бұрын

Hello Shogo, do you know when the tradition of bowing to combatants and to the sword originated?

@samuelvonratterich1959 11 ай бұрын

🙏❤

@richt63 10 ай бұрын

❤❤❤

@kdefensemartialarts8097 Жыл бұрын

👍

@ShawnValsean Жыл бұрын

Hey Shogo/Seki Sensei, something I've wondered about when looking at katana designs and Iaido practices is, are there weaknesses to having sukashi too open or wide? Are there iai/kenjutsu that take advantage of a more open sukashi in the tsuba?

@letsasksekisensei Жыл бұрын

Thank you for leaving a comment! Seki sensei explained in a previous video that having a large Sukashi will be a disadvantage, because there is a risk of getting your fingers/hands attacked! So strictly speaking, the katana he is using is not so good… But it’s a gift from his sensei, so that’s why he still uses it!

@ShawnValsean Жыл бұрын

@@letsasksekisensei which video was that? I'd love to give it a watch

@alexanderkstrauss9943 Жыл бұрын

❤

@TaroAndreas 19 күн бұрын

Dear Shogo, how does bowing work for those taking online lessons?

@warrennass24 Жыл бұрын

I bow to the sword with it raised the once in obi, before performing kata, I do a slight bow with one foot forward. Otherwise I do it Katori Shinto Ryu way.

@swindle9695 Жыл бұрын

I'm curious on Seki Sensei's opinion of Ninjutsu or Nenpo and whether or not it's still practiced as a martial art or if it hasn't dissolved and been absorbed into other various schools of martial arts.

@theguyinthechair225 Жыл бұрын

Ninpo/ninjutsu originated from Koryu... At least the unarmed combat. “Ninjutsu” is not fighting... It's non combat related skills.

@swindle9695 Жыл бұрын

@@theguyinthechair225 Ah yeah. Perhaps you're right. I did a little reading before asking the question. From what I could tell, Ninjutsu was more survival techniques for shinobi than a proper martial art. According to Google at least.

@theguyinthechair225 Жыл бұрын

@@swindle9695 It's been a debate for quite a number of decades.

@markfergerson2145 Жыл бұрын

It seems the bowing ritual here is a balance between the religious/spiritual aspect and the practical need to be ready to fight at any time.

@emissaryofelohim1431 11 ай бұрын

I just have a bit of wood paper and steel in my hand. I got strings, call them things TzitTzits or Tehilit. I bow to The Most High YaH. And I can make steel move right. People try to teach and I appreciate that. Shalom.

@johnforeman6620 Жыл бұрын

What we're the rules about carrying two swords and why do you carry only one during the practice?

@UniversdunSabreur 11 ай бұрын

I train in Muso Shinden Ryu and Bugei Kokoro Ryu, I Can say that the katana bowing in my dojo is less complexe than Asayama Ishiden Ryu

@fuggleeartshow Жыл бұрын

I no longer do any bowing as I do not participate in budo that require it, but at one time I studied budo that bowed from seiza to a kamidana after doing kuji kiri and repeating "shinken harimitsu daikomyo" then bowing to the teacher. Hopefully I spelled that correctly. Unfortunately I think this video just confirms that I'll never participate in traditional Japanese budo again, but I still find it interesting to watch the training.

@StankFernatra Жыл бұрын

... Is it because you 'bow to no-one'-?

@fuggleeartshow Жыл бұрын

@@StankFernatra no

@nickegbg 3 ай бұрын

Why Katana Bowing is Necessary for Budo (But Why We DON'T Do it) where can i see this? didnt find it while watching

@NeoViper64 2 ай бұрын

Ichi yu

@gibrannicholau3447 Жыл бұрын

The diversity of bowing ettiquite in Japan has parralels with Java. Although we usually didn't ever bow (except to dieties) instead clasping our palms together ('sĕmbah') where we rest the clasped hands on our body already communicates the level of respect/hierarchy. Sembah ḍaḍa: hands at chest (ḍaḍa) and facing the front, indicates mutual respect (much like yū) Sembah grana: hands about same level as nose (grana): respect to someone elderly, or an ancient heirloom/weapon, much like the Rei So far, both sembahs are usually done sitting cross-legged, although sembah ḍaḍa can be done standing. Sembah karna: palms not clasped, but thumbs touching respective ears (karna), done while standing up. Done by a senior showing respect to a younger person, or as a sign of accepting a sembah from another person. Rarely known these days.

@nickegbg 3 ай бұрын

do you buy to the area and katana because of shinto? cause to many other cultures it would make no sense to show respect to inanimate objects

@pwangeking2567 Жыл бұрын

I'll be honest one thing I've kind of always been uncomfortable with when training japanese swordsmanship has been bowing to the sword, due to religious beliefs I really don't like doing it all that much I'm fine with bowing to others since it's more about respect but given the meaning of bowing to the sword it's always made me feel a little uncomfortable. But that's beside the point I really liked the video it's really interesting because I'd only ever seen swordsmanship in japanese culture as bowing to the sword as part of the process.

@nickegbg 3 ай бұрын

Your "bowing" is more like swedish bowing