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| A portion of the original letter by Matsumura |
The following is a translation of the letter:
To: My wise and young brother Kuwae Ryosei
You can only understand the true way of the martial arts through determination and continuous training. It is quite interesting to note that the martial arts and the methods of scholarly study parallel each other at a fundamental level.
When examining the methods of scholarly study, we find there are three distinct elements or methods:
The first method is the study of powerful words, skills needed in communication and the pursuit of high-paying positions.
The second method is the study of comparing the wisdom of traditional literature, and instilling a sense of duty by way of example.
Despite the fact that these two methods are both unique, they fall short of comprehending the true essence of the way. They encompass only a superficial comprehension of scholarly studies, so they should be regarded as incomplete.
The third method of literary study is a complete method. By understanding this third method is how we can understand the true way.
Some of the things that it teaches us how to do are the following:
1. To gain a more profound understanding
2. To gain strength from our weaknesses
3. To become more sincere
4. To become more righteous
5. To better control our emotions
6. To have more peace in our homes
This is a doctrine that can be applied to not only our country, but to the whole world. Therefore, only this study is a complete one.
If we investigate the martial arts, we also see that there are three distinct divisions or elements in them:
The first method, or division, is more like a game of psychology and tactics. It actually has no practical application in fighting, but it is more like pretty dancing. It is quite superficial.
The second method is nothing more than physical exercises. Its only goal is to win. In this there is no virtue. The practitioners of this method are contentious. Many times they bring injury to others and to themselves. Very often they cause dishonour to come upon members of their family.
The third method, in contrast, is always performed with conviction. The practitioners of this third method gain a solemn enlightenment, free of strife and depravity. It promotes loyalty among family, friends and country. It also promotes a natural demeanour, which develops a gallant character.
If you have an unconquerable calmness, you can overcome the enemy without force, with the ferocity of a tiger and the swiftness of a bird.
Some traits of this third method:
1. It prohibits intentional violence
2. It rules the actions of the warrior
3. It edifies
4. It promotes virtue
5. It promotes peace among the people
6. It produces harmony in society
7. It brings about prosperity
These are called the "Seven Virtues of the Martial Arts." They were taught by wise men, and are contained in a book called the Godan-sho.
Thus, the true way of the martial arts has more than one element in it. A wise man does not need the first or second methods. All he needs is the third method. In this method, you will find the true way.
This unconquerable strength will deeply influence your judgement in recognizing opportunities and in taking appropriate action. The circumstances will always determine what the correct approach is that you should take.
It might seem like I have no respect for the other two fighting methods, but my conviction is rooted immovably in the doctrine of the third method.
I have revealed my words to you. There is nothing left secret or hidden in my mind, nothing held back. If you accept and heed my words, you will find the true way.
Signed:
Bushi Matsumura, May 13, 1882
This letter is the most significant evidence of Bushi Matsumura's teachings available. All other sources of his teachings are stories/legends or lessons within the kata, both of which have been passed down through word of mouth for at least three or four generations of masters. Due to the effect of 'Chinese whispers', it can't be proven what were his teachings and what were interpretations or changes since his time.
This can't be said about the above letter, beyond the interpretations within the translation to English, it is a primary source of Bushi Matsumura's ideals and his opinion of what Budo is meant to be.
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This is a photo of the original martial arts scroll of Matsumura. The scroll was exhibited in 2013 at the Prefectural Museum. Both picutres on this post were found on ryukyu-bugei.com. This pictures source originally: http://web.fc2.com/jump/?url=http://goryukan.web.fc2.com/2013kuba10danmatsumura.jpg
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Reading these words, the intention seems to be clear. The following are my interpretations of the Matsumura's letter:
The beginning of the letter is about the fact that Budo training is the same as 'scholarly study' in almost every way. Meaning you can't just memorise the facts (or the techniques), it takes more than this.
You must 'study' it!
Truly seek to understand every facet of every technique/kata/concept. Don't just have a 'superficial comprehension' of what you study.
With kata for example, you can just learn the pattern and maybe have an idea of a basic bunkai... or you can study it:
- learn the history,
- find every version of the kata practiced today,
- ask your instructor all about it,
- spend hours upon hours executing the techniques over and over to understand how every muscle works best in every single part,
- spend hours upon hours THINKING and analysing the techniques to understand how to best use them,
- read books and web sites,
- assess every possible bunkai,
- try them out with fellow students to see how well they work,
- know the kata so well that you make it part of you.
Study it so much and so well that it's no longer something that you do, it becomes part of who you are… This is the depth involved in Budo training that Bushi Matsumura wants us to find.
What are the reasons for doing this and seeking this depth?
To gain a more profound understanding
To gain strength from our weaknesses
To become more sincere
To become more righteous
To better control our emotions
To have more peace in our homes
This idea reflects the old saying that was allegedly quoted from Einstein:
"Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master.
For this reason mastery demands all of a person."
The next section of the letter is the main point that Matsumura is making. He basically says that there are three ways of Budo training, so therefore three types of Budoka (depending on their training priorities), drawing parallels with the ways of studying that he had already mentioned.
The first type of Budoka that he mentions is "more like a game of psychology and tactics. It actually has no practical application in fighting, but it is more like pretty dancing. It is quite superficial."
If we look at Budoka today we do see this, people who want to learn the patterns of the kata. All they want is to be sharp, snappy and have good stances. These people are more interested in 'looking' good rather than having "practical application in fighting".
The second type of Budoka is "nothing more than physical exercises. Its only goal is to win. In this there is no virtue. The practitioners of this method are contentious."
If we look at Budoka today we also see this, people who only train for the physicality of the Budo. They want to be fit and agile, but they also like the idea of 'being better than others'.
As far as I see it, today this manifests two ways. One way is in people who like to put importance in competition. Competition has it's place but it's just a bit of fun, it's not serious. The other way is in the glorification of violence, both in sports just as MMA and also street violence.
The third type of Budoka, according to Matsumura is the preferable type.
It is "always performed with conviction. The practitioners of this third method gain a solemn enlightenment, free of strife and depravity. It promotes loyalty among family, friends and country. It also promotes a natural demeanour, which develops a gallant character."
This is the true way of Budo. The way of virtue.
Learning to be a better person is what it is all about. Many practitioners in today's Martial Arts seem to forget this. We train to be the best person we can be, both mentally and physically.
The things that Matsumura says Budo is for are:
To prohibit intentional violence,
Rule our actions as warriors,
Edify,
Promote virtue,
To promote peace among the people,
To produce harmony in society and
To bring about prosperity.
At no point does Matsumura say that Budo has anything to do with:
Looking good,
Winning gold medals,
Learning lots of Kata,
Grading to a high rank,
Being better than others,
Always compete and compare, or
Always act tough and hurt others.
He even says that he doesn't have respect for these ways because they aren't the true way.
Bushi Matsumura was 'the greatest karateka who ever lived' and the 'grandfather of modern Karate', (so he probably had a pretty good idea of what it was all about) and what he wants us to get from our training has nothing to do with superficial competition, sport or violence.
What Bushi Matsumura is saying in this letter is that learning to be a person of virtue is far more important than any other lesson we should get from our training.
This is the last of three posts regarding Bushi Matsumura. For some interesting stories and legends regarding the greatest karateka who ever lived, click the below links:
The Greatest Karateka Who Ever Lived! (Part 1)
The Greatest Karateka Who Ever Lived! (Part 2)
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