Walking With The Tengu

We return to the Zhuangzi today where we hear the tale of a monkey who showed off to a king and got some unintended consequences despite his very real skill. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well  as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about  disciplined martial arts trainin...

In this episode we look at a new book coming out in November in the US and December 2023 globally. It is being published by YMAA. I have several of their books on my shelves. This new book is called "Blurred Boundaries: A Martial Arts Legacy and the Shaping of Taiwan” by Hong, Tse-han and translated by Chris Bates. It is a deeply philosophical and yet practical book relevant to all martial ar...

We meet Hrolleif and his mother Ljot who are the worst neighbors ever in this section. Find out how salmon fishing brings about the end of dear old Ingimund and how seppuku, ritual suicide, relates to this section of the saga. Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas:  sagamap.hi.is To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial...

Ingimund finally gives in to "fate" and moves to Iceland. We find out he's pretty boring at naming things and that he's not above manipulating people on legal technicalities to get what he wants. Find out what happens when you bring a weapon into a Norse temple. Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas:  sagamap.hi.is To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  &...

Our saga takes us through the battle of Havsfjord, a kind of Norwegian battle of Sekigahara, and into the fate and destiny that eventually drives the reluctant Ingimund to move to Iceland. Plus there are some shamans. Some who predict Ingimund's future and in a moment of petulance transports an amulet of his all the way to Iceland just to prove a point. Plus some others who are hired to track...

We continue the saga of the people of Vatnsdal today. Thorstein gets married, has a son and we learn a bit about naval combat between Viking groups. As well as what characteristics can be inferred from the text about the qualities of a good warrior and the basics of good strategy. Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.is To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the &n...

We begin the saga of the people of Vatnsdal today. As we see how standards about great deeds, some backhanded comments, and a very large bandit results in a marriage suggestion. We look at some of the tactics used and talk a little about the morals and ethics we can infer and interpret from this part of the saga. Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.is To sign up for new episode no...

We lay the groundwork for looking at the Icelandic Sagas today. What philosophical ideas did they hold about ethics, violence, and the intersection of the two. What makes the Sagas different from other literature of the time and what biases do we need to be aware of? Why were serious duels called "going to the island?" Let's take a look at these questions and get ready to jump into a world oddly b...

What is the "art of fighting without fighting?" Where did Bruce Lee get the idea for this story and what classical Japanese work did it originate in? We explore these ideas in today's episode. For more information check out: https://sourcingbrucelee.blogspot.com/2020/12/where-did-bruce-lee-get-idea-for.html To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  "Very Brief Introduction...

When we suspect things are going to go bad more than is realistic then we are susceptible to the pessimism bias. Find out how car tires and martial arts training relates in this micro-episode. MSD - Mental Self-Defense To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budous...

How could iaido, a solo form based method of sword-drawing, have any practical impact on my jiu-jitsu training? Having freshly returned from an iaido seminar in the Pacific Northwest of the United States I make an attempt in this episode to articulate better the answer to that question and provide some thoughts on my experiences at my first iaido seminar. Plus, what are hopefully some helpful cons...

When we judge the likelihood of future events based on how often they have occurred in the past we engage in something that can be called The Gambler's Fallacy. This incorrect thinking can impact our ability to make good choices be it in training, sparring, self-defense, or life.  MSD - Mental Self-Defense  To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduct...

Inspired by Randel Davis from the Kung Fu Conversations podcast (@kfconversations) Dean Suter of the Musha Shugyo podcast (@mushashugyopodcast) and I discuss the question: "What is the difference between the ancient and modern warrior?" Other participating in this collaborative effort with their own unique take and martial backgrounds include: The Dirt Wasp Podcast Budo Etc Talking Fists Way of th...

Today we return to our origins with a short story or parable from Issai Chozanshi's Daoist work the Inaka Soshi , sometimes translated as "The Hayseed Daoist." The story today is about a rat who prayers fervently to the gods that all the cats in the world be kicked to death at once. He's got some thoughts about why this prayer is reasonable and then an old toad gives him some feedback on his praye...

This first bias we look at is known as "fundamental attribution error." This is when we judge others differently than how we judge ourselves when we do the same thing. It's pretty common and I relate examples both from general life and the martial arts. Plus with some bonus Stoic quotes for good measure on how to guard ourselves from this bias. To sign up for new episode notifications and to recei...

This first fallacy we look at is known as anecdotal. Often referred to as "anecdotal evidence" we find this fallacy all through the martial arts world and is often at the heart of our martial arts delusions.  To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshi...

We spend a lot of time talking about physical self-defense. However, what can we do to protect our minds from being led astray or manipulated? Today we lay the ground for a new series on how to recognize and protect yourself from bad thinking. Bad thinking leads to bad conclusions, which leads to bad training and ultimately to bad outcomes. The martial arts and self-defense worlds of today are rif...

What does one do when the warrior ethos calls someone to do something to express loyalty and gratitude... but the laws of the nation prohibit it?  Daidouji has some thoughts in the final chapter of the Budoushoshinshu . In many ways this is the capstone to Daidouji's thoughts on what a warrior should do when there are no wars to be fought.  Also, ghosts. To sign up for new episode notifi...

What happens when we give strategic advice and it goes bad? What does this have to do with Victorian era sea-captains? Why did Daidouji think Yamamoto Kansuke was a good example and why do I disagree? Daidouji has some thoughts for his young charges and I interpret through the lens of a modern reader. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosoph...

How do we handle unlikely events that can have negative outcomes we are unwilling to accept? What should we think about when we want to keep those important to us safe in one of these events? What will you do when you lord decides to kill one of your coworkers and you need to chase him down so he doesn't escape?  What do we do when we deserve some recognition, reward, or rank... but we do not...

Daidouji speaks directly to the idea of training in the martial arts in this episode. What kind of person looks like a martial artist? Who should train the martial arts? When does miso stink too much of miso? As well as some thoughts on people who only train partially and lead others astray in their ignorance. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to...

We get some discussion on budgeting for samurai armor, how to equip your servants, and considerations to prepare for when your head is cut off by the enemy. It may not sound like it, but we then relate these topics to how they can apply to you today, in our modern times. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go t...

Daidouji Yuuzan gives us some thoughts on situational awareness when traveling. There are a lot of reasons why a samurai might be traveling with his lord. Sankin-koutai 参勤交代 "alternate attendance" might be one, though there certainly were other reasons. Likewise, we discuss a few ways this can be applied to modern travel. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief...

Daidouji has a number of chapters that are basically tips for samurai who are traveling. I've combined a few of these into a short episode with some attempts to relate them to our martial training. Turns out I think I am on the right track as at the end of one of these chapters Daidouji Yuuzan makes the point himself that the principles in these chapters are also for the training of the martial ar...

Today we hear a story from the Keicho era (1596-1615) about a warrior named Tsukuda Mataemon and a misperception about his spear. We then look at how this story is an important lesson in how to be considerate to others.  To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to th...