Budō

One of the key differences with budō is reigi [etiquette / manners / proper behaviour], and while many sports or martial arts encourage good manners and respect, there is a distinct difference to how reigi is applied in budō. The important difference is that Budo is centred around reigi and the techniques and so on are almost seen as giving context to reigi. Martial arts in comparison are the fighting techniques of various styles that you learn to protect yourself, or win a fight. The prime purpose of martial arts is the mastery of the technique, whereas the prime purpose of budō is the mastery of reigi, using the techniques. It may seem to be the same on the outside, but it is very different on the inside.

Budō is the group of arts which lead to self-improvement, proper reigi or enlightenment. Budo includes not only the Zen / Mikyo / Shinto influenced fighting arts, but also Cha-no-yu [tea ceremony] Shodo [Japanese calligraphy], Ikebana [Japanese flower arranging], etc.

There are 3 complimentary aspects to Budo; Reigi, gijutsu (technique) and Zen / philosophy. Depending on your reasons for starting a particular Budo, you may be more interested in one than another, but in the end they will all come together as one and not be distinct. It is important to realise that the 3 aspects are interrelated, but Reigi is the covering concept. Technique allows us to cultivate our Zen spirit by providing a focus, context and means of ‘polishing our seishin’. Zen allows us to refine our technique and become good practitioners of the art by the various virtues of Zen. And all at the same time, by training hard enough to improve your technique and following Zen, you will naturally both need and get a refined sense of Reigi. Eventually you will realize that without a well developed sense of Reigi you won’t be able to train effectively because you won’t have the necessary discipline to follow the way, and your sensei and peers will resent having to suffer your bad manners and dislike training with you if you don’t know your place in the dojo hierarchy or the hierarchy of society. In other words, Reigi allows harmony to exist.

In the dojo you need to show your understanding of Reigi by following the various rules and practices that have over hundreds of years become the norm of dojo behaviour. Being a Japanese art, jodō Iaidō and Kendō naturally must follow the Japanese ideas of etiquette, though this is an arbitary thing as the function of these rules is not to make you be Japanese, it is to guide you to be able to follow whatever rules of whatever society you find yourself in.

As an authentic Japanese system it becomes very important to actually show that you know your place in the hierarchy. Western people tend to judge each other’s feelings of respect, etc by less concrete means, so if you have a sincere attitude, everyone can understand that you do know about etiquette. But the Japanese are very good at putting on various faces to suit the occasion, hiding their real feelings behind a well seeming mask. This is why it is important in budo circles to overtly show your respect of others, So we bow to each other, we respond with “hai!” when Sensei or sempai [senior member] tell you to do something, we look busy, and proactively do what we should be doing, etc, etc. 

Reigi goes much further than just bowing though. Showing zanshin, or stepping up from seiza from the right foot, rather than the left is also reigi even though it has practical origins. By taking a strong stance at the start or end of an action shows you respect your enemy enough to take care. By having correct chakuso (how you wear your gear), and being neat, having gear tied securely and so on also shows respect and seriousness to the situation. This is also reigi.

This is something that we all can understand when it is explained to us, but to really know it [in our hearts] we must experience it for ourselves. Once we really know it, this is a small satori [enlightenment], but in the meantime, take it for granted and train diligently and you will feel the results in time. This is the nature of Zen, to truly understand and reach Satori, you must experience what is truth for yourself.