I would like to convey this message to all Tenshin-ryu practitioners and those who are interested.
This is a special story unique to Tenshin-ryu, regardless of other schools.
We have egos. This is important.
And while they have that ego, they also have compassion for others.
This exquisite balance supports us as humans.
Concerns have arisen as Tenshin-ryu has begun to spread around the world.
This is something that happened in Japan in the past.
And it happens even with a small number of people.
One of the concerns when spreading a school is conflict.
We have a lot of pride, and for example, it is difficult for us to accept people who are younger than us.
The same applies to those with less years of experience.
I became a Daihan in just one year. However, I started coaching on Tenshin Sensei’s behalf several months ago.
(By the way, the previous Sensei was recognized by Daihan seven years after it was introduced.)
And even though there were other seniors, I took over as the 10th Shike after less than four years.
At that time, Tenshin-ryu had few students, but that didn’t prevent problems from arising.
However, we have overcome them and prevented them from occurring.
This is both a hassle and a necessary friction for humans, who are social creatures.
It’s all about growth.
When it comes to overseas countries, there are many things that are out of my reach.
And the language barrier also makes these cases even more difficult to resolve.
(Especially when languages from multiple countries are mixed)
Even if Google Translate is great, it’s still difficult to pick up nuances.
(This text also relies on Google Translate)
In the case of complex problems, it may be difficult to understand even if you are speaking the same language.
Therefore, I realized that I first needed to share the fundamental Tenshin-ryu mindset with everyone.
That means style comes first in everything.
The fundamental reason why I was able to overcome the problems mentioned above was because my style was in crisis.
It was unclear how long he would be able to learn from the elderly Tenshin Sensei.
There was always a sense of crisis over the loss of the school, and I thoroughly explained this to those around me, sharing and fueling the sense of crisis.
We didn’t have the luxury of choice.
When I first created my homepage, it took me a year to convince Tenshin Sensei, but that was not the end.
I also had to persuade other senior and junior students.
I showed the template and had everyone check it, and once they were satisfied, I proceeded.
In the past, there were no membership fees, and the cost of the practice range was split between participants. However, there were many participants who failed to pay, which placed a heavy financial burden on the person in charge, so when I decided to introduce a membership fee system, I explained this to Tenshin Sensei and all the students and got their approval.
When I became a Shike(Grandmaster), I decided that I was too busy to balance work and Tenshin-ryu.
Therefore, I decided to stop working and raise my membership fee to make a living solely from Tenshinryu.
At this time, I spoke to Tenshin Sensei as well as all of the 20 or so students in person or over the phone to gain their understanding.
It was all very difficult.
Even though it’s okay, it doesn’t mean everyone is satisfied with everything.
I have great self-interest.
However, at the same time, there is a strong sense of mission and public interest.
This sense of mission is the most important thing.
Inheriting the tradition, conveying this value to as many people as possible so that they understand it and become fellow sailors.
This is the most important thing.
This was something that Tenshin Sensei could not do.
However, at the same time, we do not impose obligations on all seafarers.
As long as we are on a ship, we have certain rules in place.
However, even though the ship’s destination is the same, it does not control each person’s heart.
It’s good for some people to enjoy the boat trip at their leisure.
There are also sailors working hard to make the voyage.
Not all crew members need to be the same.
Rather than coloring people in one color, they gather under the same flag, each maintaining their own unique color, and the group creates a gradation of colors.
Now we can build a strong ship for the first time.
A collection of the same individuals is at risk of being suddenly wiped out.
So we are not copies, we have our own individuality.
However, as long as we are on the same boat, it is very important to harmonize.
In Japan, this is called “Wa 和”.
It means harmony, fusion, balance, etc.
“We place great importance on the spirit of Wa and make it important not to go against it.” is a phrase listed in the first article of Prince Shotoku’s “Seventeen-Article Constitution” (May 6, 604 AD). This is a way of thinking based on Confucian philosophy.
The 17-article constitution is very old and very famous in Japan.
(Unfortunately, very few people know about its contents.)
Be good to each other and don’t go against each other.
Direct translation would look like this.
Japan respects Wa, but what does it mean to go to the trouble of making it the constitution in ancient times?
It proves that everyone was fighting and rebelling against each other.
Even in Japan, which respects Wa, there are still many conflicts.
Now, here’s the main topic.
Each person lives with pride.
Therefore, we are jealous of others, and we also despise and despise others.
These inevitable emotions are a testament to our humanity.
At the same time, being able to control this is also proof that humans are said to be the primates of all things.
It is common for two schools of the same style to fight each other.
It is human nature to not want to actively help.
Likes and dislikes occur in human emotions.
Humanity has not yet found a way to completely suppress this.
The most important thing is not to be hostile.
That would be a hostile act that crosses the line.
This will be the turning point in whether or not we can remain in the same boat.
If you have a problem, it’s important to discuss it publicly.
But most of the time, the discussion doesn’t make sense.
Each claim has already been finalized and cannot be changed.
The important thing is to know what the other side sees.
At the same time, it means completely erasing your own emotions and seeing things from a bird’s-eye view.
This will improve the relationship a little.
Everyone is impatient.
This is because Tenshinryu is still unstable.
This is of course not your responsibility.
The real culprit behind everyone’s anxiety is Tenshin Sensei and above all, me.
I am the one who should take the blame.
But you all understand me, so I won’t do that.
We must not rely on such kindness, so we are working hard every day to build a system.
I believe in human potential.
Problems often arise from believing too much.
But there is another big lesson in my life.
Human beings grow only through problems.
When I was at the headquarters of a martial arts organization, the leader said,
“This is not a utopia.
Instead, it should be a great gathering of people, but unfortunately that’s not the case.
That’s why it’s a chance to collide with each other and be polished into beautiful beads.
As long as you avoid collisions, it will remain an unpolished stone forever.
Only when a gem is polished can its splendor be recognized.”
At first I really hated this word.
Even if they weren’t perfect, I wanted the people there to be superhuman.
Unfortunately, as the leader said, it was not a utopia.
That’s why I was able to hone my humanity there.
Look at yourself, not others, and improve yourself.
That’s why I look at other people.
Now, I think it’s hard to understand what I want to say.
There is only one important point.
“Don’t be hostile.”
What is needed to solve problems is not hostility, but rather sitting down and having a conversation.
If you can’t do that, just put up with it.
If you show any hostility or malice, that means you will be asked to leave the ship.
In fact, all the people who caused such problems with Tenshin-ryu in the past have all jumped ship.
This is natural selection.
We don’t have to force people off the ship; they come off the ship knowing they can’t stay on this ship.
And I’ll tell you one more important thing this time.
That’s giving up.
Just because you’re on the same boat, there are people who don’t necessarily help you.
They don’t necessarily look in the same direction.
But if that person doesn’t get in the way of you or Tenshinryu, you have no choice but to give up.
While you’re walking with a heavy load on your hands, back, and head, it’s annoying to see people lying down, eating snacks, using their smartphones, or humming songs.
You will have a hard time concentrating on your work.
Still you have to be patient.
But if that person makes fun of your work or criticizes it. That person will leave the ship.
This line is a difficult one.
Tenshin-ryu has always relied on natural selection.
Tenshin-ryu has a mysterious power to eliminate such people.
Let’s think about it this way.
He was actually editing Tenshinryu videos on his smartphone.
He was also composing music for the Tenshin-ryu school.
Snacks were the only meal a day that he could easily eat during his little downtime.
It is very difficult to fully understand someone else’s situation.
So if you show hostility to him while he’s sleeping, you’ll naturally end up getting off the ship.
The following is the 17th article of the Constitution, which I consider the most important.
“Tenth.
Let go of anger and resentment, let go of venting your emotions, and accept that others are different from you.
Everyone has a heart.
Each has their own obsessions.
Even if someone thinks it’s good, someone else thinks it’s not good.
Not everyone is completely wise, and not everyone is completely stupid.
Everyone is an ordinary person.
If you think about it that way, no one can perfectly decide whether something is right or wrong.
The fact that everyone is wise and foolish is like a circle with no edges.
Think about this and think of your anger at others as your own shortcomings and mistakes.
Even if you think you are the only one who understands something, follow the opinions of those around you.”
The final word is a very Japanese way of thinking, but think of it as trying to get your point across while appearing pandering.
In other words, it’s a way of fighting below the surface.
I’m not talking about any particular issue, but about everything.
A long time ago, I belonged to a large martial arts organization. It’s a very problematic situation that has been going on for decades and probably still continues today.
I recognize this as a bad example, and have been controlling Tenshin-ryu so far to prevent it from happening.
This is the current Tenshin-ryu way of thinking, but at the same time, it is just a modern application of the teachings of Katsujinken included in Tenshin-ryu.
Expressing this idea does not make the problems that arise go away.
However, I hope that this can be prevented or the problem reduced in size.
The important thing is that we always share our ideas.
We are not afraid to make mistakes, face each problem one by one, and constantly grow.
Tenshinryu Hyoho 10th Shike Kuwami Masakumo