In an article on the www.gunjiuniversity.com blog, I wrote about the understanding of the zero-concept relating to Judo grip fighting and also the Japanese Martial Arts ideas of when to attack: Go No Sen (After the attack); Sen No Sen (Attack the attack); and Sen Sen No Sen (Taking initiative). Having lived in Tokyo for more than one year, I am only starting to understand Budo. This study for me has always picked up and down to learn more about Bushido culture while training in Martial Arts all these years; however, today, I see many issues relating to Bushido origins and its historical context during Japan’s modernization Meiji period. I have concerns with people today throwing words like Budo and Bushido around in the United States when they have such a focus on Sports and Mixed Martial Arts culture. As I study, I am only beginning to understand Budo here in Japan, and positively, I have been enjoying training in Judo, Karatedo, Aikido, and now Jodo (Jojutsu/Short Staff). I want to point to a Martial Artist whom I wish I could have studied with: Nishio Shoji Sensei (1927-2005). Nishio Sensei’s example is the ideal Budo and the type of knowledge I aspire for in the future. Nishio Sensei felt that a true Budo life (was in the) meaning showing people a more profound way to study things that they were already studying.* Lucky, I have been accepted by one of Nishio Sensei’s top students here in Japan to learn not only the techniques of the different curriculums but also the message and philosophy of each through Ichiro Shishiya Sensei, 7th Dan Aikido.
I am captivated with training on the attacking concept of Sen Sen No Sen (Taking initiative). You will hear Nishio’s training and repeatedly teaching, “The fight, the contest, the battle…is already over.” The fight is over on the initial entry. This first attack can be with a strike (Atemi), the short staff (Jo), or the Sword (Ken). Because Nishio Sensei studied Judo and Karate before learning Aikido, he understood distance, striking, and training with resistance. Timing in all of this was a bonus when after beginning training in Aikido, he continued to cross-train in methods of the sword, jo, and drawing the sword (Iaido). He went on to develop his system of Iaido called: Aikido Toho Iai or Aiki Toho Iaido. I see much to learn about Sen Sen No Sen in the practice of Iaido. I will expand.
Budo arts like Kendo, Jodo, Iaido, Aikido, and others value taking the initiative and ending conformations quickly instead of drawing it out an overall period where adding seconds becomes minutes or even hours. What I find exciting and healthy as a practice in regular Martial Arts training is now taking the initiative by being first (Ahead Of One Using The Zero-Concept) is linked with strategic pressure that gives you many advantages. The Japanese have a term for this called: Tsume. This action of Tsume is jamming or stuffing the opponent. Jiu Jitsu fighters and boxers use the clinch to do this. As tsume relates to Karate/Kenpo, Kendo, or Jodo, the attack is shocking and sets up an additional attack or throw.
For many years, I am compared Striking Based Martial Arts and Grappling Based Martial Arts effectiveness by expressing that for striking style to be effective, you need to punch someone in the face and knock them out. For Grappling-based Martial Arts, the techniques are based on leverage so that you can control the damage. Today I do not share this feeling or practice of marketing to sell effectiveness between Martial Arts systems. In Kenpo or Karate, you can softly strike your opponent and still be effective. It comes down to where you strike, how you strike, and what the purpose of striking is. The whole concept of Atemi is not geared at this sort of strike to kill your enemy. A jab in boxing is a tool of measurement, distance, defense, and setup, and it could be for a knockout.
Taking the initiative and using Sen Sen No Sen is a practice of bettering your mental strength so that your actions model this critical moment at a confrontation. I did not write during because this also means that the moment to act is already over. So it would be best if you learned when and how to draw your attack, aka the practice of Iaido. Finally, Nishio Sensei’s approach to Budo, how he saw aikido techniques using the sword, ken, and jo, and how understanding the spirit of Aikido where there is no winner or loser is reflected in all of these techniques. Nishio, as I am taught through Ichiro Shishiya Sensei, had no stance but acknowledge the opponent. He did not draw the sword like a Kendoist to prepare for a dual. There was no dual. Nishio stood with no stance, with the sword to his side and the blade protecting his centerline. When the sword is raised, Nishio has already won the first exchange that could cut or give the opponent (partner) a chance to live. This philosophy of winning the first exchange and the reality of giving the opponent of accepting that he or she has been beaten in this first exchange is applied with the sword, bokken, jo, or through atemi in the structure of Nishio sensei’s Aikido empty-handed techniques. This approach to applying atemi in the first, second, third, and so on during the technique or sequences of movements are compelling. This type of presentation changes how you see techniques of Aikido, judo, jujutsu, karate, and so more. Through the reality of the sword, you begin to see the truth of conflict where there should be no dual and no stance. In Nishio’s spirit of Budo, he took the teachings of Aikido and other Budo not only to listen that Aikido is a better direction for Budo but he was able to study outside of the discipline. He challenged the other Budos he learned and continued to work on his art to the end of his life, leaving great examples.
To The Reader
The author will be most happy to receive your comments, including criticisms and suggestions. Noteworthy comments may be included in future editions or books on this series.
Citations:
* Aikido Journal Don’t Cut the Person with your Sword: Philip Greenwood on Nishio and Aikido Philosophy
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– Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski
Yokota Air Base – Tokyo Japan
www.tonypacenski.com
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Doctor of Education (EdD) Student
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