If you are fortunate enough to visit Japan sometime, you will notice a general attitude of hospitality towards visitors, especially if you are polite in their country. The reason for this is a philosophy in Japan called Omotenashi. Often this is translated as "everyone is my guest," but it goes deeper than this. Omote means "outward," or it can mean "public face." Nashi means "nothing." Combining them in a philosphy about hospitality gives the minds eye the illustration of "providing service from the bottom of the hear, honest with no hiding or pretending." So, don't be surprised if Japanese people randomly offer you directions just in case you are lost, or offer to take your picture for you so you can be in the shot. The Japanese are a very kind people towards visitors, particularly if you are polite. Politeness is extremely important, so much so they have a separate aspect of their language for polite speak. So, spend a few minutes learning public etiquette in Japan so you will not inadvertently act rudely and then you will find Japan to be even more fun to visit.

For those interested in learning more about the culture of Japan and what it is like to visit Japan, these are two great Youtube channels. The Only in Japan ​channel has edited videos on specific themes and are very high quality. The Only in Japan Go channel is by the same Youtuber, but all of the videos are live streams from his life in Japan. I highly recommend both channels and enjoy watching the videos myself. The focus is more on Japanese culture, unique things about Japan, and things to do while visiting Japan, rather than martial arts like Karate or Aikido (although, there is a video on a naginata school).

In the Bujinkan we say "Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo" at the beginning and end of each training session.

The word SHIKIN has four dimensions. The first dimension is a merciful heart, expressing love for everything. Second is a sincere heart to follow what is right. Third is a attuned heart in tune with the natural order (balance). Last is a dedicated heart, dedicated to a chosen path.

HARAMITSU is the combination of these four elements and means great wisdom.

Only from great wisdom and a pure heart can one obtain true enlightenment, DAIKOMYO, the goal of all great people. The enlightened person emits a powerful aura that transcends ignorance and shines forever.

There is a warrior verse, one of Japan's oldest known poems, that goes, "Chihayaburu kami no oshie wa tokoshie ni tadashiki kokoro mo mamoruran." Translated it means, if one does not have a pure heart, heaven will never permit pleasurable times. This is said by the instructor before each bowing ceremony in more of a whisper.


For the kids class in our dojo we bow in and out using the phrase Ninpo Ikkan. The Japanese character for Nin consists of two parts or radi­cals. The upper radical is called yaiba which refers to the cut­ting edge of a blade. The lower radical can be read either as kokoro or shin, both of which mean heart.

The character Nin is also used to write Nintai, which means perseverance or patience, implying the important thing for a ninja is to be patient under impossible circumstances and persevere when he/she cannot find a way to succeed on a mission. This form of thinking, the spirit of perseverance, is called Budo Seishin. If one receives an insult from another, one must be able to endure it without holding a grudge and then discard such feelings as anger and jealousy.

The essence of Ninpo is a pure heart through endurance. Ikkan means to pursue something with single and lasting purpose/intent. A simple way to translate Ninpo Ikkan then is "The essence of the ninja, to endure, is our primary focus."

Stay tuned, the dojo will be moving to a much larger and nicer facility in the next week. If you are looking for a karate or other martial arts school, consider our dojo. We have great tuition rates, no contracts, a head instructor who has trained regularly in Japan for several years, and some of the best students in the valley!

Japan Day 2018 was a lot of fun! Big thanks to the Idaho Japanese Association for inviting our dojo to perform an Embu (demonstration) of our classical Japanese military martial arts. Our dojo members did a great job and we all enjoyed the whole event.

Japan Day, held September 3rd at the Boise Basque Center, is coming up fast. This is a great event for the whole family with various booths outside and performances inside the Basque Center. Our dojo will be doing a demonstration of Koryu Budo, old style martial arts, at 3:10 pm. Come see our students performing several Kata from actual ninja and samurai traditions, as well as demonstrations in full samurai armor. For more information, visit the Idaho Japanese Association's web page. idahojapaneseassociation.org/events/japan-day/

Performances Time Table 
*Schedule subject to change
11:00 Opening
11:10-11:25 Sangha Taiko
11:30-11:40 JUDO
 11:45-12:00 Shishimai (Lion Dance)
12:05-12:15 Aikido
12:20-12:30 Nihon Buyou (1)
12:30-12:50 -Take a Break-
12:50-1:00 Karate
1:05 - 1:55 Shakuhachi
  Koto
  Koto & Shakuhachi
2:00-2:05 Nihon Buyou (2)
2:05-2:15 -Take a Break-
2:15-2:35 Kawa Taiko
2:40-2:50 Kendou
2:55-3:05 Shamisen
 3:10-3:20 LIVING-WARRIOR DOJO 
3:25-3:30 Nihon Buyou (3)

Here is a great article  about Hatsumi and the Bujinkan, "Hatsumi Masaaki, the World’s Most Famous Ninja, and His Essence of Martial Arts." Some of the things from his history, like teaching Judo at the US military base after WWII, are particularly interesting.
https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b02345/?pnum=1

Wow, just found this today. This is a documentary on our Soke, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi. It was originally filmed by and aired on NHK, Japan's version of the BBC or PBS. It is available free to watch right now on Amazon Prime Video. What are you waiting for, go watch it!! 
​Click Here.