Two years ago, I made a video reviewing Zen Brush 2, the iPad app that lets you digitally mimic sumi brush strokes using your finger or stylus. The results aren't perfect, and there is a lot left to desire when it comes to the look and feel of the brushstrokes. However, my biggest praise was how easy it was to practice brushing kanji without the hassle of setting up a station, … [Read more...] about Pentel Fude Brush Pen Review
I told the group I was going to get to know them a little. I had them collect their materials and passed a sheet of Hanshi to everyone. I pulled out a sample of the Kanji EI (永) I had brushed earlier. The Kanji EI is composed of the eight basic strokes. If a student can brush the Kanji EI, they can technically brush any Kanji. The class had about 15 Roger Williams University’s … [Read more...] about Your True Self
This calligraphy is by Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido. It reads MASA KATSU A GATSU GATSU HAYABI (正勝吾勝 勝速日), and it translates as “True Victory is Self Victory on Victory Day." This phrase was O’Sensei most personal motto; a calligraphy he brushed numerous times. We can find hundreds of these calligraphies all over the internet these days. However, this one is my favorite … [Read more...] about Masa Katsu A Gatsu: True Victory is Self Victory
Most martial artists hear of KI (CHI in Chinese) at some point in their training. Often, though, KI is poorly explained, and therefore its concept is foolish, interpreted as some mystical internal power we access only through deep concentration and meditation; Iron Fist style. KI is not unique to martial arts. Many eastern philosophies, religion, and Feng Shui use KI to … [Read more...] about The Four Levels of KI Development
In the Toyoda Shihan style of Aikido, when students take their second kyu (brown belt) test they have to answer the question, what are the four basic principles of Aikido? I remember learning these principles early on my training. When the time came for me to test for my brown belt I recited them without any hesitation. Later, I would learn that these four basic principles were … [Read more...] about The Four Basic Principles of Shodo
