Friday Art & History Feature - Tomoe Gozen

Tomoe Gozen by Yuhime (http://yuhime.deviantart.com/art/Tomoe-Gozen-52393128)

When people think of Samurai warriors, they usually think of men. However, the wives and daughters of male samurai were also considered samurai. All of them adhered to the samurai values and principles, such as obedience, self-control, strength and loyalty, and learned enough self defense to be able to defend their home and family when the husbands were away fighting. In fact, a samurai woman had the responsibility to protect her home.

There were, however, a few samurai women in Japanese history who distinguished themselves as fighters and warriors on the battlefield. One such extraordinary woman was called Tomoe Gozen.

Tomoe Gozen

Tomoe Gozen by Yoshitoshi 1880, Library of Congress Prints Collection

Tomoe Gozen lived in the 12th century Japan and was a concubine of Minamoto no Yoshinaka, a late Heian Period general. According to some tales, she was one of his main captains and he often used her in battles.

"Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors." - The Tale of the Heike

It's believed that she have fought in, the Genpai War (1180–1185), alongside Yoshinaka, and survived it. During that time, she is said to have taken at least one enemy head. However, Yoshinaka's forced were heavily outnumbered and eventually defeated. Yoshinaka sent Tomoe away before committing suicide.

Following her escape,Tomoe supposedly gave up the sword. According to some tales and legends, she was defeated by Wada Yoshimori, who was so smitten with her that she became his wife. After his death, she probably became a nun in Echizen.

While it is not hundred percent clear if Tomoe was a real historical figure, some manuscripts point to the fact that she was. She is an example of a true samurai woman, brave and loyal and ready to stand up to her enemies.

Tomoe Gozen with Uchida Ieyoshi and Hatakeyama no Shigetada. Woodblock print by Yōshū Chikanobu, 1899

Friday Art & History Feature - Miaymoto Musashi

Musashi. Woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

When studying Japanese Martial Arts, one has to learn about Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest swordsman that ever lived, as well as the author of the famous The Book of Five Rings. This work, along with the Art of War of Sun Tzu, is a classic of strategy and martial arts philosophy, and is still studied today not only by martial artists but also by businessmen the world over.

Musashi was born in the Harima Province. The exact date of his birth is not known, but according to various sources, it was between 1580 and 1584. His father, Shinmen Munisai, was also a master of the sword and an accomplished martial artist.


From the age Musashi was 7, he went to live and be raised by his uncle, Dorinbo. There, he learned to how to read and write, as well as the basic precepts of Buddhism. He had his first sword duel at the age of 13. Here's what Musashi wrote about it:

"I have trained in the way of strategy since my youth, and at the age of thirteen I fought a duel for the first time. My opponent was called Arima Kihei, a sword adept of the Shinto ryū, and I defeated him. At the age of sixteen I defeated a powerful adept by the name of Akiyama, who came from Tajima Province. At the age of twenty-one I went up to Kyōtō and fought duels with several adepts of the sword from famous schools, but I never los."

—Miyamoto Musashi, Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings)

Drawing by Musashi

From the age of 15, when he left his village, Musashi was traveling and engaging in various duels. For a long time, he did not give his loyalty to any lord. One of the most famous duels he had happened when he was 30. It was against Sasaki Kojiro, knows as the "Demon of the Western Provinces." The legend says that Musashi arrived to an island where the duel was to take places late and after quickly killing Kojiro with a bamboo bokken (stick), he promptly climbed back into the boat and left.

Modern sculpture of Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro duel

 Musashi was not only a great swordsman and philosopher, he was also an artist, and many of his drawings are famous.

Musashi. Self-portrait

Eventually, Musashi offered his sword in service around 1614–1615, during the war between the Toyotomi and the Tokugawa. It is not clear whose side he was on, although it was probably on Tokugawa's side, as they had a fairly close relationship.

Around 1642 Musashi's health became to decline, and he was known to have suffered attacks of neuralgia. In 1643 he became a hermit in a cave to write The Book of Five Rings. He died in that cave in June of 1645. In his lifetime, he claimed to have fought in sixty duels and haven't been defeated in any.

Musashi's legacy is immense. First of all, he established a school of kenjutsu (sword fighting) called Ni-Ten Ichi Ryu or nitoichi. This school is a two-sword technique, where two swords are used at the same time, a large katana and a small wakizashi.


Secondly, he left a classic work of martial arts that extends its teachings to many other aspects of life and business - The Book of Five Rings (Gorin no shô).

One of the translations of The Book Of Five Rings

 Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this classic.

“Do nothing that is of no use”

“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”

“In battle, if you you make your opponent flinch, you have already won.” 

“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain”

“Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.” 

“You can only fight the way you practice”

“Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.” 

“The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.”

 “It is difficult to realize the true Way just through sword-fencing. Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things.”

“To know ten thousand things, know one well” 

A modern interpretation of Musashi's image by Takehiko Inoue

Friday Art & History Feature - Japanese Art

I've been on all things Japanese kick lately...again. So today, I wanted to let you enjoy some examples of Japanese art that I love. As many other things in the Japanese culture, the art is often simple and minimalistic, which makes it so beautiful and unique. (There are also a couple of pieces inspired by Japanese art).

Happy Friday!

Landscape of Fall and Winter by Sesshu

Red Fuji Southern Wind Clear Morning. Part of Part of the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Artist: Katsushika Hokusai.

Great Wave off Kanagawa. Artist: Katsushika Hokusai. This is one of this most famous paintings. Current location: Library of Congress.

Drawing by Miyamoto Musashi, a great Japanese Swordsman (c. 1584 – June 13, 1645)

Landscape by Miyamoto Musashi

Landscape by Tenshō Shūbun

Landscape by Tomioka Tessai

Two Girls by Suzuki Harunobu

Statue of Kusunoki Masashige by Kōtarō Takamura

Geisha by adriano10 (http://adriano10.deviantart.com/art/Geisha-55554744)

Geisha by Soniei (http://soniei.redbubble.com/sets/137992/works/4431360-geisha-1-japanese-art)

Musashi, by Takehiko Inoue, creator of Vagabond manga series

Friday Art & History Feature - Geisha

I've always been interested in Japanese culture. Much of the interest comes from my practice of karate. Many Japanese cultural aspects seems very foreign and mysterious to the westerners. Japanese history is truly spectacular in many ways. Over the course of this blog, I will write a number of articles about various aspects of Japanese culture and history, including the samurai, ikebana, tea ceremony and much, much more.
Today, we'll take a look at another aspect steeped in mystery - geishas.

Geishas playing Shamisen (traditional Japanese instrument) today

Many have seen or read "Memoirs of a Geisha" and know of certain aspects of this profession.  Many recognize the white makeup a geisha wears.

Geisha playing Shamisen

There's many misconceptions and misunderstandings about what and who a geisha is. By definition, a geisha is an entertainer. Geishas are skilled in dance, playing traditional musical instruments, tea ceremony and the art of conversation. The word "geisha" comes from two kanji characters - 芸 (gei), which means "art" and 者 (sha), which means "person". Women have a choice of becoming a 'maiko" or apprentice geisha first or training for a year and becoming a full geisha right away. This was not the case in the past, when most girls who were to become geishas started their training very early and were apprenticed for years of training before becoming full fledged geisha.

Maiko (apprentices)

 There are different theories on the emergence of geisha culture in Japan historically. Some say that it came out of a practice by some young girls, whose families were misplaced. They would be entertainers, and many also sold their sexual services. The more traditional form of geisha entertainment began to emerge when the imperial court was moved to Kyoto in 794. However, these were still not the geisha culture we know of today. That is emerged much later on, during the 18th century. It's interesting to note that the first "geisha" were men who entertained wealthy customers while they waited for their courtesans and other forms of entertainment. One of the first famous known female geishas was actually a prostitute who also possessed many other skills, including dance and playing music. She became very popular and young girls followed in her footsteps. Soon, most of them were only doing performance art entertaining without the selling sex part. The line between courtesans and geishas was drawn, and a geisha was more valued for skills other than sex.

Geishas dancing

 Prior to WWII, it was commonplace for a maiko's virginity to be sold to the highest bidder, a process known as "mizuage". While outlawed after the war, the practice still has been known to exist well into our times. While a geisha is a single woman, she can chose to have a wealthy patron, whose courtesan she may become. This, however, is not a rule. Often, geishas have boyfriends, but once they marry, they have to leave the profession.

Maiko in Kyoto

 Kyoto still remains the most popular place to see where geishas live and to enjoy their performances.

Geisha entertaining today

Geishas entertaining in the 1950s

Geishas are a true art form. They are highly educated women who have achieved top skills in performance arts and the art of conversation. They study hard and long to become the best in their profession. That is their appeal, and their mystery.

Devastation in Japan

Watching the devastation caused by the 9.8 magnitude earthquake (the strongest in living history) and the tsunami that followed in Japan, my heart is breaking. Yet I remain glued to the images on the TV.

You can see some of these images here: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan/100022/

and http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/japans-earthquake---the-aftermath/100023/

On top of the nuclear emergency that has been declared (which brings memories of Chernobyl that my family has lived through) and the still constant threat of aftershocks and further tsunami activity, the Japanese people have a long road ahead of them to recovery.

Please do whatever you can do help out. Go to http://www.redcross.org/ to donate. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to Japan's emergency relief.

Our karate organization, Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA) has been able to reach the head of the organization, Abe Sensei and he is ok, as are the rest of our friends. JSKA-USA is planning our own fundraising efforts and will deliver the information once its available.

My friends, please pray for Japan and all the people affected by this terrible tragedy.