Budo Quotes

Hi Everyone!

I'm doing a weekly thing at our dojo where I introduce a word/concept, define it, write out the kanji for it, and then bring in a budo quote to help explain it. Would people here be willing to give me one or a few of their favorite budo quotes (with references, I'd prefer not to have any anonymous quotes) so I may be able to use them in the upcoming months?

Thanks in advance!

--Ashley

Hi Ashley,

Have you read Dave Lowry's "Sword and Brush"? Lowry takes words that are common to Japanese martial arts (do, keiko, ryu, etc.) and explores their history and how their meaning developed. It's engaging and well written and seems like it would be a great resource for a project like yours.

Mary Malmros wrote: Hi Ashley, Have you read Dave Lowry's "Sword and Brush"? Lowry takes words that are common to Japanese martial arts (do, keiko, ryu, etc.) and explores their history and how their meaning developed. It's engaging and well written and seems like it would be a great resource for a project like yours.

Thanks! I'll take a look at it. But what I am looking for now really is just quotes. I've used a lot from the Hagakure, but I'm trying to find a wider selection of quotes to use in conjunction with the words.

--Ashley

I think the Aikido FAQ would be a great source for you: http://www.aikidofaq.com

Wherever you go, there you are.

-Buckaroo Bonzai

Hi, Ashley. A very handy resource for the Word/Concept of the Week for Aikido is a slim book called "Budo Contemplations" by Jeffrey Reach. He takes on both simple words (Maai, Zanshin, Kokoro, etc) as well as more complex phrases. He provides the Kanji plus a breakdown of each individual character, provides a literal translation, then offers "word of the week" style commentary.

Example:
七転八起
Nanakorobi yaoki

七 Nana (Seven)
転 Korobi (Falling)
八 Ya (Eight)
起 Oki (Get Back Up)

"Fall seven times and stand up eight"

Jeff then provides a short example of getting injured and have years of rehab and several surgeries to recover. His summary: "No matter how bad we have it in life, we must remember that we still have a very precious gift…life. Life itself is worth taking the time to stand up, dust yourself off, and push forward.

I've seen this on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats. Hope this helps!
--Steve

Steve Creel wrote: Hi, Ashley. A very handy resource for the Word/Concept of the Week for Aikido is a slim book called "Budo Contemplations" by Jeffrey Reach. He takes on both simple words (Maai, Zanshin, Kokoro, etc) as well as more complex phrases. He provides the Kanji plus a breakdown of each individual character, provides a literal translation, then offers "word of the week" style commentary.

Hi Steve,

I do actually have the words and definitions covered quite nicely. I'm just looking for budo and training quotes in general. For example, I used "There is more art in a single bow, simply and sincerely done, than in the most flawlessly executed technique." by Saigo Tanomo as a quote to illustrate reigi. So it's not the words, definitions, or kanji that I need, just a selection of quotes about training and budo in general that I can use as a way to highlight the word I am using.

--Ashley

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

"No Give Up"
Robert Koga Sensei (RIP)

Ashley Hemsath wrote: Thanks! I'll take a look at it. But what I am looking for now really is just quotes. I've used a lot from the Hagakure, but I'm trying to find a wider selection of quotes to use in conjunction with the words.

Hello Ashley,

I think the Lowry book would provide that, and more importantly, would provide a context for deeper understanding. I find that too many collections of martial arts sayings ("just quotes") are devoid of context. There's nothing magic about the sayings; it's the understanding of them that matters. Otherwise they're just like any other platitudes ("get closure" "what doesn't kill me makes me stronger" "God has a plan for you" "follow your passion" etc.).

Ashley Hemsath wrote: I'm doing a weekly thing at our dojo where I introduce a word/concept... and then bring in a budo quote to help explain it.

Perhaps you could list several of the words/concepts you plan to introduce, and ask for quotes (and their source) to help explain those specific words/concepts.

ikkyo - "there can be only one!" - highlander
nikkyo - "'It's just a flesh wound!" - Monty Python
sankyo - "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me?" - Robert De Niro
Irimi - "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." - Princess Bride
ukemi - "There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do. Go through his clothes and look for loose change." - Miracle Max
kuzushi - "you had me at hello!" - Jerry Maguire
aiki - "you complete me!" - Jerry Maguire