A special acknowledgement to Miles Kessler Sensei of Integral Aikido for organising this wonderful series of talks on ShuHaRi. Right from the start the discussion is full of depth and insight for those interested in classical budo and Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin ryu in particular. Seeing Shu-Ha-Ri through different lenses / different masters helps us to get a different, and richer perspective. It is enlightening to see the various ways these concepts are understood and articulated.

Shu Ha Ri is the classical method of knowledge transmission in Japanese culture. The first step, “Shu,” is to take a classical kata and completely immerse yourself inside it without any thought of variation. It is mastery of orthodoxy. “Ha” is taking the kata and grasping its depth through its principles and then creating an individualized expression of the kata as a henka or variation. The caveat is that these variations must be based only on the principles and waza existing in the original kata. “Ri” is when the practitioner has become so immersed in the art and its theory that kata are no longer necessary. Movement becomes an involuntary representation of pure principle. There is no conscious thought associated with performing the art because the practitioner’s representation has evolved into a moving meditation based on principles devoid of intentional form. Practitioners achieving Ri have truly mastered their art. Observing them, they appear almost psychic, able to perceive even an advanced adversary’s intent and action before it happens. In truth they have developed their sensitivity and efficiency of movement to such a high degree that there is simply no initiative or mental inertia involved in the conflict. They are so far ahead of their adversary’s intent that the adversary is already defeated before he can threaten. http://www.wado-karate.nl/robswadokarate/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/An-Interview-With-Tobin-Threadgill.pdf

Takamura on SHUHARI, KAMI und BUDO

Die KAMI-Natur (göttliche Natur) ist das Ziel der Menschheit. Wir haben uns entschieden, daß BUDO der Amboss ist, auf dem wir den Geist schmieden. SHUHARI ist der Weg, dem wir folgen müssen, um an dieses Ziel zu gelangen.

Kami (divine) nature is the destination of humanity. Budo is the anvil on which we have chosen to forge the spirit. SHUHARI is the path we must follow to arrive at that destination.

(Source: https://www.facebook.com/IntegralDojo/photos/a.600129110028373/4967685283272712/)

Takamura

Teaching and Shu-Ha-Ri The traditional Japanese method of knowledge transmission By Yukiyoshi Takamura, edited by Nanette Okura Republished by permission of Stan Pranin, Aikido Journal

Vollständiger Artikel s. Unterseite.

Shuhari - die Fortschrittsstufen im Budō

One of our students, Duane Abbajay, wrote this article. I wanted to post this on our blog because I feel that it would be beneficial to our students. – Sensei Ray Hughes

One concept I find particularly fascinating is the Japanese term ‘Shuhari,’ which actually contains 3 phases.
Shuhari also appears in Japanese tea culture and other applications, but this brief examination is limited to its application in martial arts.

The subtle differences in the definitions of Shuhari by two great masters both deepens our understanding, and stimulates further discussion:Hironori Otsuka Sensei’s (early 20th century- the founder of Wado karate) definition begins with: ‘In martial arts,there is a word that has always existed – ‘Shuhari.’ While Kenji Tokitsu (80+ years later) states: ‘The Japanese formula of Shuhari defines the method that must be followed in learning an art.’

Next, perhaps the over-all meaning of their definitions can be better understood by breaking down the three phases of the word as individually defined by both masters (shu, ha, and ri).Finally, exploring the gradual departure that each phase seems to have, or at least suggests. In fairness, the possibility of content differentiation due to translation, and differences in personality with each teacher, must also be considered.Let’s take a closer look at quotes from both masters attributable to each phase, respectively.

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SHU (In the first phase the explanations seem nearly identical)

Otsuka- ‘To maintain the teachings of the predecessor, and strict adherence to them.’

Tokitsu- ‘To respect, to follow the model or the ideal form.’
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HA (In the second phase, differences begin to appear)

Otsuka- ‘To doubt anything that serves to disrupt that action.’

Tokitsu- ‘To liberate oneself from the effort of learning…while continuing to hold to the path that has been indicated.’
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RI (The third phase is an extension of the first two)

Otsuka- ‘To separate from the first two, and improve on the teachings whenever possible.’

Tokitsu- ‘To move beyond the form.’

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What strikes me is that with a quick read the two definitions appear to be so similar.
With a deeper one, a divergence in meaning seems to exist. (Yet both seem to seamlessly create a beautiful mental stillness.) To me, the questions become: Are both masters saying the same thing?
Has the passage of time influenced a more modern interpretation?

As a novice karate ka, when I find myself struggling with the differences within a seemingly obvious concept, I think about a teaching from Myamoto Musashi: ‘The movement of the mind must never stop.’

http://smacus.com/blog/shuhari/

Lesetipp:

Thesen-Papier von Dr. Langhoff: Der Titel "Tai-Chi-Meisterschüler" fokussiert auf überkommene Werte des Wude-Moralkodex. Er ist heutzutage Teil des Problems und nicht der Lösung. Er erzwingt Stagnation und behindert letztlich die Entwicklung innerer Potenziale. Weiterlesen: Tai Chi / Qigong: Meisterschüler.

Lesetipp: Freies Push Hands und Freikampf

Tuishou-Anwendung. Tipps und Tricks für mehr Trainingserfolg: Die Figuren der Yang-Taiji-Form mit Partner anwenden: Freies Push Hands (Sanshou, Sanda, Freikampf, Free Pushing Hands).