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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Review of Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation
Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation is an exploration of the history, iconography, and metallurgy of Japanese swords. Colin M. Roach visited with top-artisans, historians, and martial arts specialists, in Japan and the USA, to produce a distinctive look at these ancient weapons, which he attempts to delve into from historical, iconographical, and technical standpoints. The book includes a foreword by swordsmanship expert Nicklaus Suino and a sidebar by Abe Kazunori, a high-level sword polisher. Japanese Swords also examines the work of top swordsmiths like Kawachi Kunihira and Gassan Sadatoshi, while delving into their lives.
Included are over 350 eye-catching high-resolution photos and a DVD. The visual impact and presentation of both the DVD and book are first-rate, although both could have benefited from more comprehensive editing. Readers interested in completing their library of Japanese sword books will want to take a look at this new hardback by Tuttle.
About the Reviewer: H. E. Davey, the Director of the San Francisco Bay Area-based Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts, is the author of The Japanese Way of the Artist, Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind & Body Harmony, Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation, and other works. He has practiced Japanese martial arts, including jujutsu and swordsmanship, since the age of five. His seventh-degree black belt is certified in Japan, and he has also studied sword polishing, appraisal, and restoration under Japanese experts. For more information about H. E. Davey and his classes in various Japanese arts, visit http://www.senninfoundation.com/.
Publisher: Shambhala; 1 Original edition (November 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 159030747X
ISBN-13: 978-1590307472
Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 0.5 inches
List price: $21.95 (US)
When a Zen adept, or indeed any artist, puts brush to paper, the ensuing image is a picture of the state of his or her psyche. Therefore in Zen, artistic expressions are “lessons,” intended to cause the viewer to pause and reflect on ultimate reality.
In this book, forty well-known examples of painting and calligraphy by celebrated Zen teachers such as Hakuin (1685–1768) and Sengai (1750–1837) are reproduced along with observations that shed light on both the artwork and its symbolism. In essence, opposite the photo of the artwork, readers will find remarks by the two authors listed as “Zen Commentary” and “Art Comment.” The writers’ essays at the beginning of the volume present a foreword to the artistic and educational aspects of Zen art.
Mr. Loori’s treatise Art as Teacher is especially valuable to anyone exploring the deeper meaning of art, but readers should realize that while Zen is often cited for using art as moving meditation, many people in Japan practice crafts (like calligraphy) as meditation, and they do so without any affiliation with Zen. In short, Zen does not have a monopoly on meditative Japanese art. With that noted, Zen certainly does have a lengthy tradition of integrating its philosophy with art, something this book explains well.
The ink paintings (sumi-e) and brush calligraphy (sho) in The Zen Art Book display elements that are at times insightful, impenetrable, serious, funny, and beautiful. Although bigger, more complete, and more beautiful books on Zen art are available, The Zen Art Book is less expensive than these works, providing a concise and effective introduction to this topic and an illuminating introductory essay by Zen practitioner John Daido Loori.
About the Reviewer: H. E. Davey, the Director of the San Francisco Bay Area-based Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts, is also the author of The Japanese Way of the Artist, Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind & Body Harmony, Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation, and other works. He is a direct student of the famed calligrapher Kobara Ranseki Sensei, and he holds the highest rank in Ranseki Sho Juku calligraphic art. His Japanese calligraphy and painting has been in numerous exhibitions in Japan, where he has received multiple top awards. For more information about H. E. Davey and his classes in Japanese arts and forms of meditation, visit www.senninfoundation.com.
How to Wrap Five Eggs: Traditional Japanese Packaging
By Hideyuki Oka
Photographs by Michikazu Sakai
Reviewed by H. E. Davey
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Weatherhill (October 14, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590306198
ISBN-13: 978-1590306192
Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
Retail Price: $30 (US)
This classic book was first available in 1975 and titled How to Wrap Five More Eggs. It was created by the late Oka Hideyuki, with exceptional photography by Sakai Michikazu. In many ways a “coffee table book,” this work’s striking full-page photos effectively portray the integration of classic Japanese aesthetics into daily life in Japan. How to Wrap Five Eggs is worth purchasing for the pictures alone, which comprise the majority of the book.
Time-honored Japanese packaging is an art that applies refined design and natural aesthetics to everyday objects. In Oka Hideyuki’s graceful presentation of the baskets, boxes, wrappers, and containers that were used in run of the mill, daily Japanese existence, readers are presented with eye-catching illustrations of an era prior to mass production in Japan. Principally constructed of bamboo, rice straw, hemp cord, paper, and leaves, all of the items revealed in the book come from natural substances. Through 221 black-and-white photographs of genuine models of long-established Japanese packaging—with notes on the genesis, materials, and use of every piece—the objects presented advocate looking into a rapidly disappearing craft, while they also remind us of our relationship to the natural world and the value of handicrafts that were at one time active and vibrant in scores of people’s lives.
In many industrialized societies, handmade objects are quickly fading away, and this is especially sad to see in Japan, a culture that once epitomized the idea that everyday items can be crafted and presented in a manner that adds meaning and beauty to our lives. Traditional Japanese culture at one time embodied the notion that how something is done is as important as the final outcome of a given action, and that how an object is presented and packaged is as important as the item in the wrapper. This philosophy of merging beauty with daily activities, and with commonly used objects, makes life better in countless ways, an idea we can all benefit from, and an idea well-presented in How to Wrap Five Eggs.
About the Reviewer: H. E. Davey, the Director of the San Francisco Bay Area-based Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts, is also the author of The Japanese Way of the Artist, Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind & Body Harmony, Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation, and other works. He is a direct student of the famed calligrapher Kobara Ranseki Sensei, and he holds the highest rank in Ranseki Sho Juku calligraphic art. His Japanese calligraphy and painting has been in numerous exhibitions in Japan, where he has received multiple top awards. For more information about H. E. Davey and his classes in Japanese arts and forms of meditation, visit http://www.senninfoundation.com/.
The Sennin Foundation Center has two new teachers of Japanese yoga: Wesley Keppel Henry Sensei and Troy Swenson Sensei. They both received Shihan–dai (“Associate Instructor”) certification, and they are now teaching Shin-shin-toitsu-do classes for children and adults at the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts in Albany, California.
Swenson Sensei also recently received Menkyo Shodan in Saigo Ryu, which is the first classical teaching license in this form of martial arts. Keppel-Henry Sensei is working toward teaching certification in Saigo Ryu as well, and both instructors are studying Japanese healing arts at our dojo. Swenson Sensei is also practicing in our Integrated Shodo & Meditation program, where he is learning the ancient art of Japanese brush calligraphy.
Congratulations to Keppel-Henry Sensei and Swenson Sensei! To learn more about Japanese forms of yoga, healing arts, fine arts, and martial arts, visit www.senninfoundation.com.
On June 26 and 27, the Shudokan Martial Arts Association will offer a special seminar in conjunction with the SenninFoundationCenter for Japanese Cultural Arts. The featured instructor will be H. E. Davey, SMAA Primary Director and SMAA Jujutsu Division Shihan/seventh dan. The theme of the weekend will be “Japanese Yoga & Hanbo-jutsu.” Instruction will be offered in Shin-shin-toitsu-do, a form of Japanese yoga and meditation, along with Saigo Ryu, a traditional martial art emphasizing jujutsu and several weapons, including the hanbo—a three-foot stick. The event will take place in quaint Albany, California, just across the bay from San Francisco. Instruction is open to anyone above the age of thirteen.
Through Japanese yoga, martial artists and average people alike can learn to manifest their full potential in a wide variety of situations. Instruction will emphasize how unique mind and body unification principles created by Nakamura Tempu Sensei in the 1920s lead to enhanced concentration, calmness, relaxation, and willpower in both life and budo. Since Mr. Davey will be showing how these principles relate to budo, attending the Japanese yoga and meditation training is required for this event.
Saigo Ryu training will focus on the wide variety of dynamic throws and distinctive immobilizations that can be performed with the hanbo. Think of it as “jujutsu with a stick.” Sign up soon to enjoy fun and vigorous training in a martial art that’s seldom taught in a seminar format. This is a rare opportunity to practice an authentic system of traditional hanbo-jutsu as it’s been taught in Japan.
But more than this, the SMAA California Seminar is your chance to learn how unification of mind and body principles can lead to greater power, balance, and grace in hanbo-jutsu and other martial arts as well. Discover how coordination of mind and body leads to effortless effectiveness in self-defense and daily life.
Classes will be offered in a time-honored Japanese atmosphere, and Mr. Davey’s classical dojo is traditional in appearance and intimate in size. Attending these classes as special guest teachers will be at least three SMAA Senior Advisors: Kevin Heard Sensei, Ann Kameoka Sensei, and Ohsaki Jun Sensei. Space is limited, and early registration is strongly suggested.
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Book your flight and make your hotel reservations early. Plenty of time has been built into the schedule to allow for sightseeing and fun.
Mr. Davey and the various attending instructors look forward to offering you a life-altering experience in June, an event that will present new ways of approaching budo and daily living. The various attending SMAA officials are hoping to make new friends and meet old training partners at the SMAA California Seminar.
When:
Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27
Where:
The SenninFoundationCenter for Japanese Cultural Arts
Motels for almost every budget can be found by searching the Internet, so be sure to check around for the best possible deal.
Registration:
Space is extremely limited for all sessions. Contact Mr. Davey soon to reserve your place. The SMAA, the SenninFoundationCenter, and H. E. Davey reserve the right to close registration at any time, once all available spaces have been taken.
A registration form was e-mailed to all SMAA members. If you do not have Internet access, we can also mail you a form. All fees and a completed registration form must be received by the SenninFoundationCenter two weeks prior to the seminar. It will not be possible to register after this date. Checks or money orders should be made out to SenninFoundationCenter. It will not be possible to register in person at the first class.
Nicklaus Suino Sensei, SMAA Judo Division Director and sixth dan, will be offering a special summer event focused on traditional Kodokan judo. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn the following judo throws:
• Seoi Nage (“Shoulder Throw”)
• Harai Goshi (“Sweeping Hip Throw”)
• Uchi Mata (“Inner Thigh Throw”)
• De Ashi Barai (“Advancing Foot Sweep”)
• O Soto Gari (“Major Outside Reap”)
Suino Sensei will teach how these techniques can be used effectively in competition, but also in self-defense. These are skills that can benefit people in every martial art, and extensive prior judo experience is not needed, as instruction will be offered for both beginners and advanced judoka.
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Who: Nicklaus Suino Sensei—http://smaa-hq.com/bio.php?bioid=3
What: Kodokan judo
When: July 16, 17, and 18, 2010
Theme: “Judo: Five Throws You Absolutely, Positively Can’t Live Without”
Cost: General Public—$75, SMAA Members—Only $60!
Schedule: July 16 (7:00 to 9:00 PM), July 17 (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 5:30 to 7:30 PM), July 18 (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 3:30 to 5:30 PM, Dinner/party from 5:30 PM on)
On May 6, 2010 the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts will offer FREE introductory classes in Japanese yoga and martial arts. The Japanese yoga class, which will start at 7 PM, will feature yoga and meditation principles. It will be an introduction to how these principles of mind and body unification can help us in Japanese yoga and daily life.
The class is open to both Sennin Foundation members and the general public.The instructor will be Kevin Heard Sensei, who has been studying Japanese yoga, healing arts, and martial arts for over 25 years. He has a Shihan teaching license in Japanese yoga, a very advanced rank.
Following the Japanese yoga training, Heard Sensei will present an optional introduction to Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu, a traditional Japanese martial art. Since he will incorporate Japanese yoga principles of mind and body unification in the martial arts practice, participation in the preceding Japanese yoga instruction is required. Heard Sensei has an advanced teaching license in Saigo Ryu, and he is a Senior Advisor for the Shudokan Martial Arts Association (www.smaa-hq.com).
If you and/or your friends would like to participate, please call 510-526-7518 (PM). Then, drop by 1053 San Pablo Ave. in Albany, California at 6:45 PM. If you are not already a Sennin Foundation member, you will need to fill out a registration form and waiver. Wear loose clothing and bring a notebook.
After the class, you will have a chance to purchase related books and CD-ROMs, and you and/or your friends can also make arrangements to join the Sennin Foundation Center if you like.
The Sennin Foundation Center is lead by H. E. Davey Sensei, author of Brush Meditation and The Japanese Way of the Artist. You can visit the Sennin Foundation Center's website at www.senninfoundation.com.
Want to learn more about Japanese systems of yoga, healing arts, martial arts, and fine arts? Become a fan of The Sennin Foundation Center's new Facebook page. Follow them at www.facebook.com to get all the latest Sennin Foundation news.
For a limited time only, the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts is offering a free month of instruction for children age five and above. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and you'd like to get more details about this offer, call 510-526-7518 (evenings). You can also drop by Martial Arts & Kids (http://martialartsandkids.blogspot.com/).
The Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts has a special program for children. Since 1981, they've specialized in teaching young people traditional Japanese yoga and martial arts via fun, carefully structured classes. These classes present effective methods of controlling an opponent without excessive violence, and our overall emphasis focuses on the realization of each child's full potential. They stress learning to unite the mind and body in daily activities through practicing Japanese yoga and martial arts (jujutsu), which can in turn result in the discovery of our greatest human power.
Where: The Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts 1053 San Pablo Ave. Albany, CA 94706 USA www.senninfoundation.com
What: Japanese yoga & meditation, Saigo Ryu hanbo-jutsu
Who: H. E. Davey--http://www.smaa-hq.com/bio.php?bioid=2 With attending SMAA Senior Advisors: Kevin Heard Sensei--http://www.smaa-hq.com/bio.php?bioid=11 Ohsaki Jun Sensei—http://www.smaa-hq.com/bio.php?bioid=18 Ann Kameoka Sensei—http://www.smaa-hq.com/bio.php?bioid=13
Theme: Students will receive instruction in the Shin-shin-toitsu-do system of Japanese yoga and meditation. The focus will be on unification of mind and body in action. Exercises will help participants to achieve deeper calmness, balance, and coordination in budo, but also in their daily lives as well.
Saigo Ryu hanbo-jutsu training will use many of the principles of mind and body unification practiced in Shin-shin-toitsu-do, and it will focus on the hanbo, a three-foot stick. Hanbo-jutsu, as practiced in Saigo Ryu, features dynamic throwing and pinning techniques using the hanbo for additional leverage and pain compliance. Think of it as “jujutsu with a stick.” (Hanbo can be purchased from the Sennin Foundation Center.)
No prior experience is needed in any of the above-mentioned arts. It is important, however, not to miss the first classes on June 26, which will introduce the basics of these disciplines.
Cost: General public—$60 for all Japanese yoga and martial arts classes, SMAA members—$40 for all Japanese yoga and martial classes (save $20!), hanbo—$14.99 with tax included.
Registration Deadline: All fees and a completed registration form must be received by the Sennin Foundation Center two weeks prior to the seminar. It will not be possible to register after this date, and space is limited. The Sennin Foundation Center reserves the right to close registration at any time when the maximum number of participants has been registered.
Sennin Foundation member Troy Swenson recently received Shihan-dai ("Associate Instructor") certification in the Shin-shin-toitsu-do system of Japanese yoga and meditation. Swenson Sensei also studies in the Sennin Foundation's healing arts, martial arts, and fine arts programs. He is working toward teaching certification in these disciplines as well. Mr. Swenson joined the Sennin Foundation Center in 2005, and he lives in El Sobrante, California. He works as a structural engineer. For more information about Japanese yoga, visit http://www.senninfoundation.com/.
The Shudokan Martial Arts Association will be offering a seminar devoted to Kodokan judo, Aikikai aikido, and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido on April 2, 3, and 4 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. The featured instructors are Nicklaus Suino Sensei and Cyndy Hayashi Sensei. For more information, send e-mail to roach.max@gmail.com. Check out the events listing for Shudokan Martial Arts Association at www.facebook.com as well. The SMAA website can be found at www.smaa-hq.com.
On January 7, the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts will offer a FREE introductory class. The class, which will start at 7 PM, will feature Japanese yoga and meditation principles. It will be an introduction to how these principles of mind and body unification can help us in Japanese yoga and daily life. The class is open to both Sennin Foundation members and the general public.
The instructor for this class will be Kevin Heard Sensei, who has been studying Japanese yoga for over 25 years. He has a Shihan teaching license, a very advanced rank.
If you and/or your friends would like to participate, please call 510-526-7518 (PM). Then, drop by 1053 San Pablo Ave. in Albany, California at 6:45 PM. If you are not already a Sennin Foundation member, you will need to fill out a registration form and waiver. Wear loose clothing and bring a notebook.
After the class, you will have a chance to purchase related books and CD-ROMs, and you and/or your friends can also make arrangements to join the Sennin Foundation Center if you like.
