|
Monthly Message: August 2008
The Blade of Man
Fellow Karate-ka:
There are many weapons within the martial
arts, some famous for their status amongst the Eastern fighting arts,
and others so shrouded and archaic that their continued existence in
these arts is a shock to a great many. No weapons of the Eastern World
is any more recognized than the infamous blade of the Samurai, the
katana.
It has been said that a Samurai's sword is
his soul. Such an idea, presented here in the modern world, seems
superstitious or occult in nature. Perhaps, but if we look at the unique
link this weapon has to that of the warrior who wields is, we see some
striking similarities.
A blade is made of iron ore, pulled from the
earth crude, unbalanced, dull, heavy, and weak. A newborn child much in
the same shape: too weak to even hold their own head up, bones too soft
to support their own weight, ignorant the entirety of the world around
them.
To correct the weaknesses of the blade, it
is thrown into the forge. It is heated to near-breaking point, then beat
into a rough shape with a hammer, only to be scorched and pounded
countless more times. It is the same with the development of a child.
They learn from their mistakes, being stuck between the hammer and anvil
of life.
Between the trips to the forge, though, the
blade is given time to cool, so that it does not just melt away. The
gentle breeze of the night, and the cooling touch of water help to
strengthen the blade as much as the fire, giving it time to rest, and
rebuild its strength so that it might venture into the forge once more.
It is the same for the person, as they develop. The fires of hardship
will destroy if the person never takes a step back to quench the flames,
and rebuild their strength.
Once the fires have formed the rough shape
of the blade, it is honed further, and taken to the whetstone. On this,
the cool caress of water helps to gnaw away the rough spots of the
blade, putting to it a true, powerful edge. Even after a person becomes
strong and able, they must still be refined. This is done by creating
fluidity and grace in one's movements, and way of being.
A blade is not all that makes the sword. The
handle and sheath make the blade useful. When this piece of honed metal
is placed in its outer trappings of wood, it becomes a truly balanced
tool. Fitting that its hilt and sheath be made of wood. When a person
takes the appearance of wood, they learn to be flexible in the face of
devastating forces, but hold their ground at the same time. Wood is the
essence of life, feeding from the earth, drinking of the water,
producing air, and drawing in the rays of the sun's fire in order to do
it all.
Now the sword is complete, and it is no
different than the warrior who wields it. This is no a quick process. It
has been know to take years to produce an exceptionally well made sword.
As students of the Budo, the Martial Way, we should expect nothing less
of our own development. Know that you are the sword, and the blacksmith.
Only you can put yourself through the trials and tribulations of the
Martial Way. Your Sensei may instruct you in it, and may even seem to be
the one swinging the hammer, but it is by your will alone that you allow
such to be. This shows great strength of self.
This is the way.
Miko Sensei
|
2009
July 2009
April 2009
March 2009
January 2009
2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
2007
December 2007
November 2007
September 2007
2004
April/May 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
2003
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
2002
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
2001
September 2001
July 2001
March 2001
February 2001
|
