In 1882 Sokon Matsumura sent a makimono to his student that implies a relation between warrior ethics, social science, and Confucian ethics.
Letter to Ryosei Kuwae
It is important to understand that Bushido translates as The Way of (Do) One who Studies Martial Arts (Bushi). So this code was moral ethics of one who practiced the martial arts, known in Japan as bugei.
On May 13, 1882 Sokon Matsumura sent a makimono (hand written scroll) to his student, Ryosei Kuwae. In this letter Matsumura’s writings imply a relation between warrior ethics, social science, and Confucian ethics. On the topic of martial arts, Matsumura states there are three main areas of understanding:
Gukushi No Bugei (Martial Arts of Intelligence)
Meimoko No Bugei (Martial Arts Without Self-Control)
Budo No Bugei (True Martial Way)
The first refers to having the technical knowledge of martial arts but without any real understanding. The second refers to a person who has the physical understanding of martial arts and can defeat other men in a fight. These people are violent and dangerous and have no self-control. The last case refers to the true way of the warrior. In the martial way, at its purest form, a person has the physical understanding, is powerful, and has a strong sense of loyalty prohibiting them from doing anything unnatural or contrary to nature.
From Bugei to Budo
Matsumura speaks of budo (the martial way) in similar fashion as bushido (way of the warrior, commonly called the code of the samurai). However, he seems to distinguish a difference here. Rather than suggesting that warriors (bushi) have correct way of behaving (do), he says that the martial arts have a correct way to be understood and learned. Matsumura explains that there are seven virtues of Bu (Military Mind):
1. Bu prohibits violence
2. Bu keeps discipline in soldiers
3. Bu keeps control among the population
4. Bu spreads virtue
5. Bu gives a peaceful heart
6. Bu helps keep peace between people
7. Bu makes people or a nation prosperous
The letter additionally has Matsumura’s belief that, the warrior who practices Budo No Bugei will wait for the enemy to defeat himself. He says that, “maturity promotes harmony and that a master of the martial arts should stay away from violence, deal well with people, be self-confident, keep peace with people and accrue wealth.”
The Do in Karate-Do
Sokon Matsumura was renowned for his knowledge of “bujutsu”. Bujutsu is “the classical martial arts of Japan, also called the bugei. The bujutsu are distinguished from the budo by their more ancient roots and by their emphasis on actual combat” (Lowery 1985).
By expressing his wish for his students to begin focusing on the ethical code, and not entirely on the combative nature of fighting, Matsumura began the transition from Te or Tode to Karate-Do (The Way of the Open Hand).
For hundreds of years the Okinawian people had studied Te, but there had never been a concept of Te-Do “The Way of the Hand”. People were studying a system of defense without directly attaching moral behavior to it. Matsumura’s emphasis on these morals was extremely responsible for the change that caused people to instead study Karate-Do, which was self-defense with inseparable guidelines.
The next big step was acknowledging that these morals are inseparable from karate. This came when Yatsune Itosu wrote the Ten Precepts of Tode.
This letter reminds me a lot of Miyamoto Musashi’s The Book of Five Rings. It’s great to read the philosophical aspect of martial arts. The trouble with some of the younger people here is they are so focused on the physical part.
I have The book of Five Rings on my desk and have admittedly not gotten around to reading it yet. Did you enjoy it? He would have influenced sword fighting a bit before Matsumura went to Japan and was influenced by sword fighting. I imagine there is a connection.
While I have only read part of The Book of Five Rings (and also, only part of The Art of War) I do like the philosophical aspects of martial arts. I think that to be a fighter you need only the physical and mental aspects of a martial art, but to actually be a martial artist requires you to study the physical, mental and spiritual/philosophical aspects.
I feel saddened by the fact that somehow a lot of karate classes teach little on karate-do’s philosophy. I do agree that a lot is given emphasis nowadays in physical training, at least in some of the dojo’s i have known. And it also saddens me that there are many instructors who fail on this part. I am pleased to learn from all of you and grateful for these information. I have kept a copy of gorin no sho with me as it as handed to me by my sensei…and i go back and read musashi’s words. when i will truly understand them, that time will come.
Would you be willing to share gorin no sho with the rest of us? I am unfamiliar with the document but eager to read and learn. Contact me (My Account –> Messages –> Compose) and maybe we can arrange something.
Go Rin No Sho is the Japanese name for The Book of Five Rings
<_< Ignorance moment at its finest lol. I suppose that unless his version is different then my request is unnecessary.
those moments come once in a while to us all lol..no, its the same version, sensei…maybe a good topic for a blog? cheers
Very interesting writing. I have studied for 33 years and this is the first time I have seen this. I am Renshi-Dan under Seijan Kina. My Shihan Sensei was Gene Briscoe (1927-2009). One of our core principals has to do with San Dai Hi-Ho (Three great secret laws) which I have threaded through all of my teachings; physical, mental and spiritual. Keep up the good work. I am currently blending my Shorin-Ryu, Takeda-Ryu and Kodakan Judo together for my next test. (notice the theme) Domo
Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I stumbled upon a reference to the 1882 letter about three years ago and did some digging when I was doing a research paper.
I found an article on San Dai Hi-Ho, will spend some time reading it tomorrow when I have more time to think about it. Thank you for suggesting it. The Buddhist influence on Budo is very clear – understanding it is part of understanding its development.
Final comment – when you say “Renshi-Dan”, what do you mean? Renshi is an honorific title. Although it is normally granted around Godan (5th Degree) or Rokudan (6th Degree), it is a title not a rank. Don’t mean to be critical, maybe there is just a misunderstanding on my part.
Sorry for the delay in responding. You are correct about “Renshi”. but most people don’t know about the three titles Renshi, Kyoshi,Hanshi or what a Roku-dan is. It just shows your depth of knowledge. I was promoted to 5th by my Sensie
Gene Briscoe. On the occasion of his death and memorial I returned to the services. His successor Gino tested me for 6th that week because of our workouts and I met the requirements. He issued me my “Renshi” title, being the USA director.
Matsumura Seito? Or is it an offshoot? I have trained with an 8th Dan who was under Fusei Kise, but I think that Gene Briscoe learned from a different student of Hohan Soken. Not sure if you can share any light on this – I am always happy to learn.
Also – are you the USA director or is Gino? I was unclear on that.