Interviews with Nishioka Sensei
February 2004.
Sensei, how long have you been practicing Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo?
I’ve been practicing for almost 70 years (from when I was 14 years old).
In the past Budo was something that was taught for battle, but nowadays things have changed. What does Sensei think that Budo should be?
“Goshin tame ni” – for the purpose of self protection.
In the past these arts were called Bujutsu. Bujutsu wasn’t learnt for killing, but for self defense. Budo practice now is no different.
In the 400 years history of SMR, and during Sensei’s life, what have been the main changes that the system has undergone?
The introduction of Seiteigata. It was created to popularise jodo, but the essence changed. The style was changed because it could be dangerous. An example of this change can be seen in the technique “Kuritsuke”. The target used to be the hands, but now in Seiteigata the strike goes to the handle of the sword (Sensei recalls seeing his senior’s practicing in this way). Sensei also notes that the SMR Jodo practiced in Kyushu uses low stances, but Sensei thinks that the stances should be more natural.
What’s the strategy in SMR when confronting an opponent armed with a katana?
If you are in danger, escape. If there is no way to escape (that is, the situation becomes that of shinken shoubu – or a duel with live blades), then wait:
Kokoro – heart
Kamae – posture
Aiuchi – not enough space to adequately explain this concept here! Check out this explanation...
Let the sword attack first. Look at your opponent and his movement. If you understand your opponent’s movement you will also understand when the opportunity is created (to enter/attack).
In kata there are no feints. If you can come to understand a real attack, you will see feint from real… by waiting until the last.
We need the kata for practice, in order to understand these things. If we test them in a real fight, and fail, there is no second chance. But in kata, if we get cut with a bokuto (wooden sword), then we can live and learn.
To reach this we must constantly practice the basics… the basics are the ‘hidden’ techniques.
What useful skills to protect ourselves can one develop whilst practicing jodo?
One can learn to understand the ‘sense of distance’ (as it changes between different weapons and different kamae’s), and how to use this. In kata, we learn how to keep a natural posture, and how to walk lightly. We also learn how to relax, and not to rely upon strength. It is also important to breath correctly, by not showing when you inhale (this is the most dangerous moment). We must create the spirit necessary to wait in calm until the opponent attacks.
Is there a relation between Shintoism and SMR Jodo?
Yes there is. In Japan everything comes from the gods. When we bow, at the beginning and end of practice, we are praying to our ancestors.
The ‘Shinto’, of Shinto Muso Ryu, is related to the religion. This is the reason why I feel that SMR should be pronounced Shinto (and not Shindo, as it is sometimes called these days).
Japanese kenjustu’s first registered ‘school’ was founded by Iisaki Chouisaki some 500 years ago. He started Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu, and held the belief that swordsmanship came from the gods. (This school developed other schools, such as the well know Katori Shinto Ryu and Kashima Shinto Ryu.)
Sensei thinks Muso Gonnosuke might have been born into a Shinto family, and later in life he chose that name. Muso Gonnosuke received teaching licence in the 9th generation of Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu, before devising the method of using the stick.
What have been the major challenges in your life as a budoka?
My biggest challenge is how to transmit correctly what I have learnt.
How have Sensei’s techniques or ideas about SMR evolved after receiving Menkyo Kaiden?
I started to think about how to transmit SMR Jodo. I’ve been thinking about how to adapt and make SMR easier to teach. (Sensei then muses about the old and modern methods, and can’t be sure which is better…).
Shimizu devised 12 basic techniques for the transmission of his style, and not just for the purpose of Seiteigata.
I would like to find a way to make SMR useful in modern times. The situation and weapons are always different, but the spirit is always the same. I think that technique and spirit mix together, to form your basics. It is necessary to find the way to teach both technique and spirit correctly.
What’s the purpose for which Sensei teaches SMRJ?
I want to create a better world. If I don’t pass on the techniques and correct spirit, SMR Jodo will degenerate. The mentality is of waiting. We must respond with the purpose of defending ourselves, not with the intention of attacking first.
(When talking about not moving first, Sensei then mentions that the roles of Uchidachi and Shidachi are reversed in modern Aikido. In Jodo, the teacher is always the person attacking, and letting the student ‘win’. But in Aikido the student is the one who attacks, and the teacher is always the ‘winner’. Sensei believes the correct spirit of a teacher is to attack in a manner which will let the student ‘grow up’.)
During the interview, Sensei made many other comments. These comments are related to Budo and Jodo, but are difficult to include as a response to any of the above questions:
- Budo is for everyone, not only for the strong. If it can help, it is good.
- Shimizu Sensei didn’t allow the use of real swords in Jodo practice, and notes that in the past practice may have often been done with shinken (live blades).
- Using heavy swords for practice is of no use. If you can execute a perfect cutting line with a bokuto (wooden sword), then that is the most important point. One should use a heavy sword ‘lightly’, and a light sword ‘heavily’.
- When we reach our 50’s we start to lose muscular strength, and notice it. After this, only the right technique would save us.
- There were groups in Kyushu, Tokyo and Yamaguchi ken. Two main styles emerged – Otofuji and Shimizu. Sensei chose to follow Shimizu’s way.
- All human beings are naturally good… “No baby thinks about poison in their milk.” Everyone deserves an opportunity. If we don’t think that way, we can’t start teaching.
Kiri-otoshi and other discussion - Jodojo Nov 04
Interview with Nishioka Sensei - Jodojo Sept 04
My Thoughts on Honte and Gyakute - A discussion by Nishioka Sensei. Jodojo 11 Apr 04
Knowing the ‘suigetsu’ by the round stick. – Jodojo 10 Feb 04
What is the opinion of SMRJ about fighting with multiple enemies at the same time? – Jodojo 18 Oct 03
What are the essential elements of kata practice? - Jodojo 18 Oct 03
How does training in koryu differ to other, more widely available, martial arts such as karatedo, aikido or judo? - Jodojo 16 Oct 02
What do you think training in the traditional Japanese martial arts means in today's world? What kind of attitude do you expect a person studying kobudo to have? - Jodojo 6 Sept 02
Interview with David Dangerfield, Jan 02
