Translation of HONJO BUDO NO RON

[jtweymo]

Here's a link to an amateur translation of
the HONJO BUDO NO RON.

[disgruntled]

could you give us a bit of a review and summary about the text?

[jtweymo]

Hi ya, Disgruntled.

Sure, I will, but I got to go to work right now. I'll do the main one later.

Right off the bat though? It identifies in the text of the translation, that it is a breif summary of a [much larger] discourse, it gave the title in the intro at the top of the page. I couldn't be sure what the romaji would be for the title, but I did the best I could?

That's all I can say for now, time to go to work!!

[jtweymo]

Well, you're gonna be REALLY disgruntled now!! Here's your review and summary, I hope it's what you wanted?



Review and Summary on the HONJO BUDO NO RON

It identifies in the text of the post which I've translated, that it is a brief summary of a [much larger] discourse, it gave the title in the intro as: 『修禊要録』 Shūkei Yōroku "Essential Record of Shinto Purification Practices" I couldn't be sure what the romaji would be for that title, but I did the best I could and rendered it “Shūkei Yōroku”, similarly, the translation of the title itself, since it refers to religious practices to which we are foreign. The document indicated that it was 50 excerpts from the transcript of a lecture.

The contents are quite outstanding, it actually is a glimpse into the information and corpus of tradition that Japanese Shihan and sensei have always referred to when addressing their Western followers, but this is the first time I have EVER seen any relevant amount of the information itself posted. This is like having a dip directly from the well oneself instead of being handed a tin cup from somebody else.

It demonstrates heavy influence from and connection to native Japanese Shinto, and of a variety that is traditional almost to the point of being archaic. Most modern Japanese themselves do not ascribe to these older deeper levels of Shintoism. This material content is deeply religious but with a predictable Japanese flair for pragmatism, it assumes that the reader fully believes in the Deities of Shintoism and all related thereto and is therefore awaiting the return of Lord Ninigi and his Imperial descent line. For those of you whom are Christian, this is comparable to awaiting the return of Christ.

From the document one may learn [the little known fact] that to practice the highly recognized and celebrated kuji-juji hiho, kuji-kiri and etc involves actually a necessary emulation of the divinity or divinities (emulation of Jinmu, Lord Ningi and etc.) In fact, this emulation is to a point of mystical contention, seeking literal union with and then assumption of literal unification with the Divinity – and become as the God(s) themselves. This is, again, comparable to Christianity wherein the in-dwelling spirit of Christ makes one as if one were [one with] Christ, quite literally.

It's the best explanation of the kuji-juji hiho business I've ever seen.

Particularly interesting to those of us with martial inclination are the remarks about dealing with “safe havens of evil”, the “single point freeze” and etc. I highly suggest these sections, but in order to really understand them you need the remark in this review: The references to breath and breathing in the discourse relevant to the subject reminds one of the lungs and life force, but the term Amatsu tatara is what is being hinted at in this symbolic language. Amatsu tatara means “Imperial bellows”, the bellows is a reference to the lungs, and as a term it defines Amatsu tatara as “the conduct and management of governmental paramilitary forces” or in short it means that governmental power or at least administrative authority which one might have [even as a citizen in society] is used to effect those things The reason “bellows” was used as an ancient symbol along these lines is because such admistration and conduct (“government”) is literally the life-breath of society.

Beyond this interesting address of that subject, the document contains the core principles of traditional Japanese Budo, not as a mere “martial art” for sports or entertainment, but as the full repertoire of paramilitary principle. But the language and terms are almost archaic, and some of the ideology is also a bit unwieldy to modern thinkers, whom are accustomed to the ideologies of the day – as opposed to the principles of tradition (especially a tradition from a culture not our own.) That the document contains these core principles it's title tells “Our Country's Budo Theories”, expounding them simply and profoundly in it's structure (there are apparently five numbered lines per 10 subjects, totaling 50 entries. It seems to address 10 subjects and devoting five lines a-piece, totaling 50.)

Coincidentally, and in conclusion to end this review and summary, the doctrines demonstrated and their socio-religious orientation are fairly identical to what once got practiced world-wide in such as the scienza-de-armes, and various forms of martial tradition throughout the nations. All martial traditions were once couched in heavy socio-religious language and symbol.

[disgruntled]

awesome job! that does sound like a really intereting text. when i have a chance i will check it out. hopefully your review will also encourage others to have a look.

[jtweymo]

Okay, glad to hear it was a suitable job.

The material in the Honjo budo no ron is exactly what a lot of people are looking for, hopefully they find their way to that translation.

[jtweymo]

I have a question?

Concerns for future availability of this translation to the general public, since my website is a "free hosting" site that might not be there in the future...

Where else can I post a copy of this translation so that it might remain generally available to folks on the net?

Of all my posted translations, it's really the more useful and so forth... interested in keeping it available for folks, need options... pipe up if ya got any ideas, please.

[disgruntled]

you could post it in our resources section.... you would have to break it up into sections because it all would not fit in one post, but that would still work (the translation of Honjo Budo No Ron does not look too large).... the Japanese script probably will not work though...... granted i am a sadly not too familiar with all the computer stuff, but if pdf would take up less room and be a better format, you might want to talk to Sirdarksol about making a special Martial Horizons magazine that contains the translation.

[jtweymo]

I'll have to do something about that, soon maybe.

Thanks for the idea!