Budo Theory Articles

Articles of interest categorized by topic.

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Article Categories:

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES: Articles on fundamental martial arts principles including, the Dojo, learning processes/stages, Energy (Ki), and Duality (In-Yo, Kyo-Jitsu, Yin-Yang).

Without Reason (Muri), Inconsistent (Mura) and a Man Without a Horse (Muda)

Cutting the Carp's Mouth - The Essence of Iaido

What is Budo Today?

Great Way Small Way

Universal Martial Arts Philosophy?

TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES: The Senses—how we use the eyes, ears, nose, and touch in combat. Principles of breathing methods (Kokyu ho). Anything related to stances (Tachi). Concepts related to stability, Tension (Hari), Footwork (Ashi Sabaki), Stillness (Tomari), and Engagement Postures (Kamae).

Flowing Eyes - Nagashi Me

Terminal Ballistics or What Sundome Doesn't Teach Us -

Kamae-Engagement Postures

TACTICAL PRINCIPLES: Maneuvering in Time (Hyoshi), Space (Ma-ai) and Body Shifting (Tai Sabaki) concepts.

Understanding Initiative - Sen

Restraining the Opponent - Deterrence and the Concept of Kensei

Shinogi “Peeling the Shinogi” (Shinogi o Kezeru) – How the Sword Ridge Can Teach us to Block

One Inch Distance - Life or Death in the Thickness of Paper

STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES: Articles about higher order strategic thinking.

Terrain Competition Tactics Terrain - A Tactical Analysis of the Competition Area

What is Winning? The 100th Soldier, or What is Winning

MIND: Mental principles and concepts such as No Mind (Mushin), Ordinary Mind (Heijoshin), Immovable Mind (Fusoshin), and Remaining Mind (Zanshin).

Muto and Man with a Stick

Mind - Nen Actions And How We Think

UNIFYING PRINCIPLES: Principles that bring together other principles into bigger concepts. Meta-principles if you like.

Kogeki Bobi - The Unity of Offence and Defence

RESEARCH PRINCIPLES: Digging deeper into your Kata. Analysis (Bunkai) analysis of technique. Finding hidden techniques (Kakushi Waza). Understanding Kata history. Tools to dig deeper into your martial art.

Kata - Looking at it Two Ways

Exploring Kata Horizons

Comparative Kata - Henka