Bushi Spirit
Bushidō (“the way of the warrior”) is a moral code concerning samurai attitudes, behavior and lifestyle.
Bushido evolved from being completely devoted to valor in battle into being models of moral integrity too.
Bushi is often used as a synonym for the Samurai.
The Bushido class wore a top knot on their head. I trained with Taika Oyata for 12 years. Oyata’s teacher, Uhugushuku, was known for having the top not which the Japanese government had abolished in 1871. Oyata met and began training with Uhugushuku just after World War II, when he was 97 years old. He was very revered for his skill and principles. The locals called him Kampu TanMei, which meant ‘top knot old man’. The word tanmei was a very respectful term and only those of the Bushi class were called by that.
To have Bushi Spirit would be to live the moral code as the samurai did. It does not mean you need to get a man bun! 🙂
It means when training, you put all of your efforts into getting better. It means to be upstanding in society.
The Bushi Spirit as:
- You are in karate 24 hours a day
- You are always polite
- Never waste your turn
- Perfect practice makes perfect
- Train enthusiastically and with ‘spirit’
- It’s not the years in karate that count, but the hours
We want all of our students to have Bushi Spirit. You’ll enjoy your training more when you focus and put your spirit into everything you do. So often students want to get to the next move or the next level, but they would be better served putting everything into each move they do before going forward. The sensei knows best when the student is ready to move forward. A teacher’s job is to make sure the student learns correctly and that they are challenged.
A Bushi does not only train in class, but they train at home too! A student who trains just 15 minutes every day will see greater success and confidence in what they do!
SO LET’S SEE THAT BUSHI SPIRIT!
The essence of bushido was defined by Saitō Chikamori as:
- Sincerity – do not lie, do not be insincere, do not be superficial
- Responsibility – do not be obsequious
- Frugality – do not be greedy
- Politeness – do not be rude, do not slander
- Modesty – do not be boastful, do not be arrogant
- Loyalty – do not be unfaithful
- Harmony – be on good terms with comrades
- Tranquility – do not be overly concerned with events
- Compassion – show concern for one another, be compassionate, with a strong sense of duty.