Hatsumi Sensei comments on the essential elements of a good ninja.
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- I had a great time at lunch with Hatsumi Sensei and other martial friends a while back and wanted to share this fun story with you!
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Hello Paul, after 23 years of training in Bujinkan (and counting), I believe that the degree does not make the teacher, the teacher makes the degree, and a good teacher has a good heart, which is what really matters. Now I'm 40 years old and I train because I like it and it makes me a better person, I stopped worrying about grades a long time ago. Greetings from Argentina!
Agreed! Let’s keep the good times rolling! 😊
Thank you, Paul
"No flavour" simply means, add spices as you so desire. Not a bad thing, and rather fitting for a ninja.
About 12 years ago i started a kids class here in nz and only ever charged a gold coin donation so that all kids had the opportunity to attend, but what i like about it most is how it brought so many different members of the community together and forming new friendships through the training. That was probably one of my greatest achievements in life other than my own kids. Bujinkan gives the opportunity to meet all kinds of great people from around the world wherever you are. So grateful to Hatsumi sensei, he is a real treasure for bringing people together like this.
Absolutely! Thank you for sharing the art!
💯 FACTS
This was a great message. Thanks.
This one feeds my soul. I love you talking about including gains in joy, gains in community, and gains in connection! That holistic, expansive take which includes these things is so important, I think.
What I really like about your idea of giving rank for things other than taijutsu is the shift in mindset (and heartset I suppose) that comes from just contemplating that idea and how it … hmm how to say it …redistributes value beyond a single myopic locus.
People could get rank for nice shoes or good hair or successfully canceling their cable subscription (kidding, kidding 😂). I think a true ninja is more of a renaissance person, in all senses of the word, and this beautiful idea definitely fits with that.
Beautiful comment Alison! thank you! I agree. There really should be rank for cancelling reoccurring subscriptions or getting your taxes done on time! best wishes!
@@paulmasse Thank you! 😂 I normally try to be a lurky lurker and not comment on everything, but you keep posting thought provoking and comment inducing stuff!
@@alisonsaunders3800 got lots more too😆perhaps we’ll pull you out of the shadows next video too😆🫡
@@paulmasse Well there go all my ninja hiding skills, blown to smithereens just like that. 🥷 💥 😂 Worth it though! Can’t wait. 😊
UA-camやDVDで簡単に必要な情報が得られるようになった現在、わざわざ道場に通う理由は何なのか。
技術的なものを提供するだけでは道場経営は厳しい状況となった今日、道場という場所が、そこでしかえられない、技術以外の大切な何かをgainsできる場所だなと、生徒たち・練習生たちに肌で感じてもらい通い続けてもらうことかできるかどうか、が増々大事になってますね。
指導者が道場をそういった技術以外の大切な何かをgainsできる場所として提供し続けていけるかどうか、そこが重要なのだろうなと、Paulさんの今回の動画を見て感じました。
The lack of parallels in western culture to what Budo and Ninpo really is, makes it very hard for people to even notice the depth and all encompassing nature of Sensei’s art.
These videos are precious hints that everyone should be so grateful for. You can be a member of a club and share a common language and set of mannerisms, you can study thoroughly, but superficially, what you hear from Sensei, you can even take a deep dive and pay attention to his words and follow the trails of the immense diversity of topics he suggests as he teaches, and still not notice what he is actually constantly doing, or not doing, all the while.
To do that we have to be able to let go of what most of us at different levels aren’t willing to, our ideas about things, and specially about ourselves, and from that unburdened and empty place receive his transmissions.
Thank you for sharing your keen and precise insights into this wonderful and mysterious man and his art.
Big hug my brotha! 🙏🏽
@@johnamazonas8436 🔥🔥🔥thank you for the thoughts!
@@paulmasse my pleasure! 🙏🏽
I have long thought of it as "Scouting for grown ups" in terms of the diversity of skillsets.
It can be argued that we are not there to pass judgement, let alone give rank to other people's lives. What we can rank is how well they perform the task at hand (in this case, perform a specific technique or perhaps grasp a certain concept) WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THEIR ABILITY.
This leaves plenty of space for having fat ninjas, frail ninjas or even disabled ninjas still within the scope of performing a given (ninjutsu) task.
First let me tell you that the vegan food looks awesome, and definitely need to try that coffee!
Second, there is hope for us, the big guys! 😊
Third please let me know the sensei’s movie happened and ended! 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for this great video.
Just the process of „ becoming ninja“ ..has always taught me humility and how not to interfere with natural flow ..that has taken so much weight off..Sokes teaching have been liberating me to point of letting go ..In think Soke was only an observer all the time . Enjoying the movie ❤🙏Thank you Paul ..love your channel
行雲流水 drifting clouds, flowing water. ❤
What a fantastic message this was.
You speak very similar sentiments held over the years.
Thank you Paul! 🙏
Rank should not be given to anyone anymore, simply because it is a very public display of your talents as a Ninja, and this means going against Sensei's own words: No Ninja is supposed to look like a Ninja, and they should not be projecting their muscles and training experience; when you walk down a street, bad behaviors will only draw people who believe they can take you out. Instead, I feel consideration of a student with a deeper understanding of their kokoro through a long relationship with their teacher will mean 'no ranks ever needed'. He'll know your heart; and you (royal 'you'); meaning I am not talking about you, Paul. I really enjoy your comprehensive and insightful commentaries a lot! I mean, everybody will (hopefully) one day know their own hearts, purified, which was the primary lesson I learned about the nin symbol/kanji. So, why is a belt needed for any of that? Yeah, I know ALL the arguments about why belts and ranks are given. But me, I don't want to teach students with licensing, ranks, etc. Why? we're going old school, and you know what? EGO and FALSE PRETENSES OF A REAL MARTIAL ARTIST DISAPPEARS, at least for what I have seen. Once we get rid of the ranks, then you will know people are there to learn, and not there just to get a rank. Now, that's my two cents. I know ranks are not going to disappear, I mean, I am not delusional. Think of my previous statements as just food for thought. That's all. Much love to my Ninja sisters and brothers, deep, deep love for Hatsumi Sensei, and you Paul. Have a great day and keep going, keep training...and 'NO THINK!' ;-)
Thank you! And much love to you too!
@@paulmasse 🙂
Takamatsu Sensei likened rank to toilet paper.
He’s right too!😆
Thanks Paul. Great video.
Thank you my friend!
Real Budo! Such a great video :) - Love the way the edit is put together too!
Practiced Bujinkan for 10 years prior to getting cancer (recovered 10 years ago 🎉). I was practicing for 3 to 5 days a week at some point.
I am autistic, have chronic migraine, but pushed on. I have never been able to get far, but it helped me become a better person.
I do know, though, that when I got cancer I gained 40kg, and the extra weight made practice a hell. I kept injuring myself to the extend I had to eventually stop.
So I do think that to practice the martial arts side of things to be in a good shape helps a ton!
Very happy to hear that the art helped you! Thank you for sharing! Ps being fit does have its health benefits tbs🫡
dang, that's a bummer. But I also have gained some weight over the last couple years and can sympathize, but my current take on it is that I have a different body then when I first learned my taijutsu so I NEED to let go of what doesn't work and Slowly and Carefully start with the basics to relearn the Pro's and Con's of my body as it changes (I.E. Ukemi) Gambatte!! :)
@@reklawxero6946 There are a lot of pros to being heavier. While things like rolling is a bit harder due to inflexibility that comes along with the weight gain, basics like omote become easier if you use your body vs your muscles. Its all about proper leg work, though! And the best 'trick' I learned over the years is to try and get lower.
In hindsight I feel when I was healthy I probably brute forced too many techniques without realizing xD.
@@paulmasse Thank you! 😄
Paul, your sense of humor is paramount lol. Great video!
Sensei was also very funny. Life is too short😊
Paul!
Great video. Always love your spark and the content here is fantastic. Rank chasing seems to me not what Hatsumi Sensei was imparting. Being well rounded “renaissance people”, striving towards bettering oneself in all aspects of life and following your passion is that common vein you hear from many spiritual teachers and I did get from Hatsumi’s teachings.
Awesome video as always!! :)
Love it man hah!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Fantastic video and fantastic topic!
The fact that there's such a focus on community, and friendship, and growth as an individual learning about life is one of my favorite things about ninjutsu! It made my life that much more large.
And belts coming toward you not solely just for your skills, but also because of your effort, good heart, love and kindness, experience with life, etc - feels so profoundly right 💪🔥💜
Big love man!
Thank brother! Just trying to pass it on! Appreciate your kindness!
Thank you for bringing this perspective in; I can see on a daily basis how my other activities feed into my taijutsu and vice-versa. It would be such a waste of potential experience to only focus on one!
Short yet meaningful (and cool, as always) video, thank you my friend 🙏
Thank you for your comment! Best wishes!
Another great video, Paul! Thank you!
Appreciate you!
😂 love your stories and edits, brilliant!
I appreciate you to my brother! thank you for the comment!
@@paulmasse lll be seeing you in the New Year 🤙 old of you dragon paintings to take home would be great. I’ll surprise you with something in return.
Good food for thought Paul! 👏🏽🤔
Thank you!
Given rank to Mafia? That was a surprise Paul. Thought not teaching the art to criminals was one of the tenets.
Who said he taught them anything?😆
@@paulmasse 🥷
Great insight and what a funny story. Its interesting several prominent Japanese arts focus on age while ranking. I wonder if this is a similar concept?
I'm also reminded of Sensei's writings that even a child could kill a great warrior. Inverting that shows how dangerous anyone can be, especially when assumed they arent dangerous!
Both great observations!
Hey Paul, tell sensei its allright to get old, and by the way I like those new patches...🎉 as a matter of fact at some point in my life when I knew exactöy what im goin to do next i even painted a lpt of little circles in basically the same color, even though i was basically just thinking about me beein a toddler, and watching the giant purple blloming rhododendron infront of my house after putin farted in that powerplant 😂
Or wasnt it jelzin 😅 well anyways,😊
Or is it, let one go off, ?
Hey Paul, how did you become so cool? Because, as a practitioner of Bujinkan Ninjutsu for over 32 years, I can tell you I have trained with Shawn Havens (when he was Bujinkan), Gary Busch, Charles Daniel, Bud Malmstrom, J.R. Edens, Steven K, Hayes, Rumiko Hayes, Hatsumi Sensei, Ed Martin, and many more, but, you are so interesting to me. If I can find a seminar with you close to where I live, I will definitely go! Also, I love Rob Renner too. I mean, his understanding of how to take a few primary principles and turn them into an extremely efficient, infinite variety of techniques is on that level of deep understanding of taijutsu.
That’s a lot of names! It would be an honor to train with you sometime! Ps some would say I’m not cool at all😆
@@paulmasse Of course you're not cool. Neither am I! Independent, free-thinkers are never cool...since they follow their bliss they become on fire in their hearts and lives and people don't like looking at the sun (unless you're Trump! [totally tortured metaphor there]) What a... you know? The intensity of bliss and dedication shines far brighter on the eyes of people lost to the dark areas in their selves. You are doing something, and really living your life! So, in that case, that means you are cooler to me, than most others I meet. because, you know what? I am exactly the same way.
Yes, it would be an honor to train with you as well.
How about going to a trade school and being given a certificate of completion because you were so happy all the time, but didn’t learn the trade you paid money to learn. Wouldn’t that be great?
Why didn't you learn the trade you paid money to learn? Comparing learning classical Japanese martial arts to attending trade school, and I've done both, is a perfect false comparison.
@@jachyra9 no it’s not a false comparison. Both you are paying to learn a skill. If “rank”, or “certification”, is given for anything outside of the development of that skill, you have cheapened and degraded the value of that skill. To be given rank in any martial art because you are a successful business man, or a very nice person, but have not obtained the skill necassary for that rank, makes that martial art trash. End of story. Martial arts IS a skill based endeavor. Period. Get good at combat. That’s its only goal. Period. War.
@@GBlues1 - "no it’s not a false comparison."
Yes. It absolutely is.
"Both you are paying to learn a skill."
No. When I attended trade school, I paid to attend the school. I didn't pay to learn a skill set specific to a trade. The money went to the school and was distributed between the overhead, equipment, paying the faculty and staff, etc. The money wasn't somehow exchanged for learning. Learning was my responsibility solely, and instructing the responsibility of the faculty. If I succeeded or failed to learn something, it was down to my capacity to learn and apply myself and to my instructor's capacity to impart the knowledge that I turned into understanding. This dynamic is almost invariably universal for all learning paradigms.
"If “rank”, or “certification”, is given for anything outside of the development of that skill, you have cheapened and degraded the value of that skill."
How so? Grades in a school are identical to grades in a dojo: they are an attestation that knowledge was imparted, not a guarantee that skill and capability was acquired and can be successfully applied in all situations, every time.
Any trade school certification is an attestation of a completed curriculum. Some martial arts operate this way, others don't. Because they don't have to, and because it's a specious connection to begin with: a carpenter's skills can be easily measured because what they're being measured by doesn't involve constantly changing variables. How do we measure someone's martial skills? The only way to do so safely is through competition, yet the parameters of competition create the least likely context for someone's skills to really shine. So we do the best we can, but there are far too many variables in a non-competitive violent engagement between two people to accurately assess how and why one person prevailed and the other one didn't, because those variables are unique to that situation and those involved.
"To be given rank in any martial art because you are a successful business man, or a very nice person, but have not obtained the skill necessary for that rank, makes that martial art trash."
No, it doesn't. If anything, it only speaks to the relationship between the student and the teacher. It says nothing about the martial art itself, and so it doesn't in any way denigrate the art. Takamatsu-sensei allegedly bestowed attestation to people with whom he had little to no interaction with, because that's all they wanted from him. Hatsumi-sensei has done the same. If you read my previous comment above, then you understand that the grade is just a piece of paper. My wife earned her doctorate in comparative literature at Berkeley in seven years. What she has gone on to learn and achieve since is what matters and far more interesting.
"End of story."
It's not, though is it. Just saying so doesn't make it so.
"Martial arts IS a skill based endeavor. Period."
So is juggling. So is cooking. So is knitting, archery and figure skating. If I'm not awarded a "grade" in juggling, am I less of a juggler? Or more of one because someone gave me a piece of paper claiming as much? And does that paper magically prevent me from being a better juggler, or am I magically stuck in place, unable to move and progress, until I receive another piece of paper? What a sucky existence that would be.
"Get good at combat. That’s its only goal. Period. War."
Fortunately, history and oodles of empirical evidence say otherwise. We wouldn't have the privilege of learning classical Japanese martial arts now if human beings back in another time and place thought as you do.
Ninjas can be fat? Best news I've heard in ages!
Please stay somewhat healthy tho😆!