Heart, Faith and Steel » Web

The Read Ahead

Joe — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:00:56 +0000

When I first joined the Bujinkan, there were precious few books on authentic ninjutsu. Those of us training at the time would read, discuss and reread them. There were notes to be taken and sections to memorize.

Today, there are many good books to be found. Most of them are by Hatsumi-sensei with a few by teachers from all over the world.

I’ve decided my next few articles will be quotes from some of my favorite Bujinkan related books.

BNYD twitter feed

Joe — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:30:54 +0000

If you enjoy reading quotes about martial arts training, you may want to check out or subscribe to the Bujinkan New York Dojo Twitter feed. You can check it out here:

http://twitter.com/bnyd

Ninja Qualities

Joe — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:00:40 +0000

Every once in a while I am asked, “What were the most important qualities of the ninja?”

Years ago, Hatsumi-soke spoke about this years ago. He stated the three most important qualities of a ninja were honesty, desire to learn, and perseverance.

He further explained the ninja’s honesty was akin to the lessons of justice and integrity. This honesty was a form of enlightenment developed by judging right and wrong with one’s heart as a mirror.

Learning was the ninja’s greatest weapon and companion. The ninja took interest in learning everything… general knowledge and common sense would ultimately enable the ninja to make critical judgments with decisive certainty. This led to understanding of day-to-day affairs and eventually wisdom and spiritual refinement.

The perseverance of the ninja is perhaps the most legendary of all his abilities. The ninja could not be dissuaded from his chosen path once is was begun. He had levels of endurance cultivated over years of training and tempering.

Peter Reynolds Bujinkan Seminar

Joe — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:30:59 +0000

Pete Reynolds – Bujinkan NYC Seminar

Dates: Tuesday & Wednesday, November 9 & 10, 2010

Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm (both nights)

Location: Pearl Studios, NYC
500 Eighth Ave. (btw 35th/36th St.)
New York, NY

Cost: $30 for one night or $55 for both

Info: The Pete Reynolds Bujinkan NYC Seminar is jointly sponsored by: Jeff Christian (Muzosa Dojo), Christopher Chen (Tanjiki Dojo), Ben Cole (U?G.P! Dojo), Rob Flanagan (Muzosa Dojo), Joe Maurantonio (Bujinkan New York Dojo), Antonio Rodriguez (Bujinkan Gokui Doj) and several more dojo!

Gaga Librarians

Joe — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:30:17 +0000

As many of you know, I work in IT for libraries. What many don’t know is that I have been an avid support of the library system since i was young… And that I have logged more hours in a library (for fun) then most scholars! So, when I came across this video – I just had to share!

Tick-ing

Joe — Sat, 15 May 2010 19:46:59 +0000

It’s a guilty pleasure but I have always enjoyed the Tick comic book and animated TV show… Then the Live Action show made it to FOX and I thought, “What are the odds?” And, it too, was good. So if you can, check it out:

This is just darn funny:

This one was one of my favorite scenes:

So, go read a (comic) book!

The power of zero

Joe — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:30:35 +0000

It’s not form or technique, it’s the koppo. It’s the whole body. It’s the power of zero. Don’t hit or strike. Play in the space. — Hatsumi-soke

Recently, a friend asked me to voice my thoughts on the quote above. here’s what I wrote back:

We always think of “koppo” in terms of bone attacks but a few years ago, Hatsumi-soke explained that koppo has a deeper meaning. My simple understanding of Koppo is knack (“skillful means”). So, koppo is letting go of the form and intent; moving naturally to effect others within “their” movements.

Additionally, soke often speaks and demos how we shouldn’t think of hitting the opponent, but move in ways that cause imbalance (loss of stability in body/mind) in the opponent.

For me a really “cool” non-martial way of explaining this is:
“A boozer looking for a fight walks into a bar. His attitude is plastered all over his face and body… Jackie [Chan], sitting in a chair, turns the chair and the boozer goes flipping over Jackie’s leg smacking his head on a table and falling unconscious.”

But as another friend of mine used to say, “Of course, I might have it all wrong.”

The Frantics – Boot to the head

Joe — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:15:12 +0000

I’m not sure here I heard this skit first. My memory recalls a 1984 basement where I was hanging out with a bunch of friends… But for some reason that doesn’t seem “right.” Regardless, this is one funny comedy skit:

Good for a Hearty Laugh

Joe — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:04 +0000

John Pinette “France & Italy”:

Milkman versus Mailman

Joe — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:00:27 +0000

Sometimes, there are these little clips on YouTube that make you laugh. This is one gave me a nig smile, so I thought I’d share.