Matsuumura’s Makimono

To: My Wise Young Brother Kuwae (Ryosei)

Through resolve and relentless training one will grasp the true essence of the fighting traditions. Hence, please consider my words deeply. No less interesting is the fundamental similarity between the fighting and literary traditions. By examining the literary phenomenon we discover three separate elements: 1. the study of shisho; 2. the study of kunko; 3. the study of jukyo.

The study of shisho refers to commanding words and communicative skills. The study of kunko refers to a comparative study in the philosophy of ancient documents and teaching a sense of duty through example. Yet, in spite of their uniqueness, they are incapable of finding the Way. Capture only a shallow understanding of the literary phenomenon, shisho and kunko cannot, therefore, be considered complete studies.

It is the study of jukyo, or Confucianism, that we can find the Way. In finding the Way we can gain a deeper understanding of things, build strength from weakness and make our feelings more sincere, become virtuous and even administer our own affairs more effectively, and in doing so make our home a more peaceful place - a precept which can also apply to our country or the entire world. This then is a complete study and it is call jukyo.

Scrutinizing the fighting disciplines we also discovered three divisions: 1. gakushi no bugei, a psychological game of strategy practiced by scholars and court officials; 2. meimoku no bugei, nominal styles of purely physical form, which aim only at winning (without virtue, participants are known to be argumentative, often harm others or even themselves, and occasionally bring shame to their parents, brothers, and family members); 3. budo no bugei, the genuine methods which are never practiced without conviction, and through which participants cultivate a serene wisdom which knows not contention or vice. With vertue, participants foster loyalty among family, friends, and country, and a natural decorum encourages a dauntless character.

With the fierceness of a tiger and the swiftness of a bird, an indomitable calmness makes subjugating any adversary effortless. Yet, budo no bugei forbids willful violence, governs the warrior, fortifies people, fosters virtue, appeases the community, and brings about a general sense of harmony and prosperity.

These are called the “Seven Virtues of Bu,” and they have been venerated by the seijin (sagacious person or persons; most probably Chinese Confucianists) in the document titled Godan-sho (an ancient journal describing the ways of China). Hence, the way of bun bu (study of philosophy and the fighting traditions, often described as “the pen and the sword”) have mutual features. A scholar needs not gakushi or meimoku no bugei, only budo no bugei. This is where you will find the Way. This indomitable fortitude will profoundly affect your judgement in recognizing opportunity and reacting accordingly, as the circumstances always dictate the means.

I am appear somewhat unsympathetic, but my conviction lies strongly in the principles of budo no bugei. If you embrace my words as I have divulged to you, leaving no secrets and nothing left hiding in my mind, you will find the Way.

--- Matsumura Bucho, May 13th (c. 1882)