J wrote this text for the international on-line magazine Hanako who provide information to Bujinkan members in 67 different countries around the world. Text was publish in may 2010, volume 13, number 5.
Myths, legends and fabricated stories inside the Bujinkan
Even though the word „Myth“ is regularly used to
describe some sort of a „falsified truth“, when used in an academic approach,
isn’t a terminological equal to determining truth or falsehood, which are two
rather normal human categories. There
are a lot of definitions for the purpose of explaining the word „myth“. In
ethnology, „myth“ is a form of explanation for the phenomenon of human genesis
and the world in it’s present state.
Still, through myth, one wishes to transmit a story
by which tradition will be raised to gain the height of a religious
significance.
Myths in the Bujinkan
During my meetings and conversations with many of
the Bujinkan instructors, often I’ve had the chance to hear the story of the
friendship between the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano and the last ninja
Takamatsu Toshitsugu. The story always differed in some minor details,
depending on who is telling it, and sometimes it went as far as Toshitsugu and
Kano training together, because they lived in two neighboring cities and as a
consequence of those trainings Toshitsugu Takamatsu influenced heavily the
development of judo.
To make the story even more convincing, some would
say that something similar to this can be read on the world-famous on line encyclopedia – Wikipedia
(in the part about Takamatsu).
The best part of this myth comes at the end of this
story. Namely, when Jigoro Kano decided to popularize judo as a new martial
art, with the intention of proving it’s efficiency, he scheduled a contest
between his own students and the traditional jujutsu schools which still
existed at that time. Of course, Kano’s students won almost all of the duels,
but one of the students fighting for his dojo were sent by Takamatsu himself, who
using his Ninjutsu techniques, win his opponent with great ease. This way, Takamatsu was
able to help his friend.
Listening to these stories, while zealously studying
Japanese martial arts history, often I ask myself why to the instructors (and
other members of our organization) have the need of creating and spreading
these myths (read: lies), among the Bujinkan Dojo members?
First of all, it’s true that the birthplaces of
Takamatsu Toshitsugu and Jigoro Kano, aren’t far away from one another. But the
issue here is that Kano was born in 1860, while Takamatsu 1889. That is a
difference of full 29 years. Besides that, when Kano was 9, his family moved to
Tokyo, which is pretty far from Kobe (592km) and during the years he rarely
came to his city of birth (Mikage). Regarding Takamatsu’s influence over the
founding of Judo, it is enough to mention
that Judo (the Kodokan) itself was found in 1882 (1884 officialy) – 7
full years before the birth of Takamatsu. It is correct however, that Kano
organized duels with Jujutsu fighters, but these were usually members of the
police Jujutsu teams. At this time, Takamatsu was still in his cradle, which
renders false the claim that his students, who would be born much later, would
be able to participate in these contests.
Of course, these facts can be obtained by anyone.
Every serious book on the subject of history and Japanese martial arts offer
plenty of information regarding this issue. But one could ask: Why are these
lies spread among the Bujinkan membership and do they think by that our
organization will become better or our art more efficient?
Certainly not, dear friends. The answer is rather
simple. By spreading these lies, the gain is short-lived and will only achieve
the admiration of the more light-minded students or beginners. But anyone who
dives a little deeper into the world of traditional martial arts, sooner or
later will discover every lie there is. By lying, we can only prove our
uncertainty of knowledge about our art and technique, while reducing the respect
for our organization, the Bujinkan Dojo.
Therefore, if we want respect, we, as instructors
who represent the Bujinkan in our countries, should sit down and get a healthy
amount of knowledge about the history of Japanese martial arts. We should stop
hiding our lack of knowledge behind the fantastic myths and legends, which can
be told with no end visible – about the nine schools, Takamatsu, Iga, Seiko
Fujita and so on.
Our knowledge alone, will assure the good
reputation of our soke Masaaki Hatsumi and our organization, which to outsiders
often looks as an ridiculous factory for megadan production and not as an
organization with the task and dedication to keep the nine schools of the Great
Master Moko-no-Tora from oblivion.
Toshitsugu Takamatsu was a well respected master
and warrior in his own time, and every fabrication of lies and myths will just
destroy needlessly the outstanding picture of him. Myths should be based on
facts, and facts are rather easy to prove, especially in Japan which is a
country with a well kept history. Do not
hope that by connecting great names from the budo world we will make our art
better or worth more. On the contrary, by that we just „wash away“ it’s rich
historical meaning as Koryu Bujutsu.
Let us stop creating blind followers from our students by telling
them pretty and „wise“ words. Those, which follow you today, will as easily
follow someone with sweeter words and stories tomorrow. We do not need
followers. We need leaders who think with their own head and believe in the truth,
not the lies. This is the only way to raise and save the reputation of the
Bujinkan.
Igor Dovezenski
Dojo-cho of Bujinkan
Macedonia