Miyamoto Musashi’s School Name Is Wrong?

[@AntonyCummins]

Get the new book here www.amazon.com/Book-Bushido-Complete-Samurai-Chivalry/dp/1786786052/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1621193096&sr=8-1

[@christopheralexander2485]

The teacher is as a needle and the disciple is as thread

[@KuganeGaming]

Thats really cool. Learned something new again. I had no idea about Musashi's Buddhist name.

[@christopheralexander2485]

Musashi never said use two swords all the time he basically stressed using all your options when necessary to fight two sworded every time would contradict his philosophy

[@christopheralexander2485]

He killed the other samurai with a makeshift weapon carved from a boat oar not two swords

[@hansihobr]

@@christopheralexander2485 ".a makeshift weapon carved from a boat.." I call that a Stick.

[@Akanyezdesu]

Your research is amazing.

[@baconburger9156]

You should do a “Illustrated Book of Five Rings” to go along with the “Ultimate Art of War”

[@AntonyCummins]

It’s in my pile to do

[@baconburger9156]

I had a book way back in high school called “Ideals of the Samurai”... worth a read.... it was translated by William Scott Wilson... that and 5 rings were my favorite books

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

@@baconburger9156 if you say it's worth a read i will definitely look into it. : )

[@baconburger9156]

@@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU yeah definitely worth a read

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

@@baconburger9156 just found the book on amazon. only 1 left in stock at about $60 ... thankfully it's also on kindle... just a heads up for anyone else interested. i will definitely be getting it on my kindle as soon as i get paid.

[@Zonex_Haven]

Your books are so good it's making me broke lol got my hands on The Book of Ninja. I'll be getting this book after i get the two samurai books you suggested 💯

[@KuganeGaming]

I agree that him calling it along the lines of a "Premier Warrior School" makes more sense.

[@jisoenman]

I am still wondering what a Riyu is

[@KuganeGaming]

@@jisoenman It depends on the translation/where the word is used, but in this context the word Ryu (流) it translates to "school".

[@jisoenman]

@@KuganeGaming Well aware of that. I am a senior member of this Ryu. I have translated a lot of our founders work that was written in kanji, "not" hiragana. Dr. Bennetts comment more or less sum this all up.

[@KuganeGaming]

@@jisoenman Alright, in that case I don't understand what your original statement/question was about. I assumed you were asking for general information what a Ryu is. Either way, good luck with your studies! =]

[@jisoenman]

@@KuganeGaming I commented on him keep saying "Riyu" That means, reason, cause, motive, benefit etc. He cant even pronounce ryu. If you are going to start doing KZbin blag like this you need to get your facts straight. Quote from actual Japanese text and documents. Not from English translations.

[@-RONNIE]

Wow this is very interesting

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Agreed. "Nito" similar to saying "Musketeer" to describe a particular warrior class by their signature weapons makes sense, especially as Musashi points out there was no specific term for "swordsman", just warrior (Bushi), Samurai or "Strategist." I'm wondering about changes in idiom over the centuries regarding "ichi" meaning "number one" "first" or "best" vs "singular" as modern Japanese may add qualifiers like "ichimonji" and "ichiban" (though these may be absent when speaking "poetically"). "Niten's Supreme Tradition" certainly makes much more sense than "Two-Heavens-One Tradition", which he didn't really explain.

[@Ki_Hon]

I started the video, saw the advertisement for antonys new book, preordered it right away

[@AntonyCummins]

Haha thank you

[@jisoenman]

There is no word for premier in Japanese it's in katakana It translates as first, primary, pioneer, premier, premiere, or original. katakana used to describe "gairaigo" This is the very problem with people like you who don't actually do HNIR trying to figure out scrolls that were written for deshi of the founder. A scroll that was not even written in kanji to draw on Confucian analects and Buddhist meaning We do use two swords as one but the two heavens deifies Musashi's two gods Fudo Myo and Kannon. It comes from the Kongen Buddhist Sutra. This was the name he used in finality handed down in the scroll. Have you seen or read the scroll with Soke? I guess not. You need to read more in Japanese to get a better understanding of Musashi's meaning rather than make things up to sell books!

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

your fiery warrior spirit can be felt through your words lol... as you are a senior member of your school i humbly ask that you come to this discussion with a kind heart and share your in-depth knowledge, antony is a researcher and is only after the truth, he wants to ensure that what is translated is translated correctly. : )

[@jisoenman]

@@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU Niten refers to Musashi's favorite gods, Kannon (Godess of Mercy) and Hachiman (God of war). To encompass them both we use ichi or "as one" We can also look at a similar term such as Bunbu no ichi, meaning the pen and sword as one or "the pen and sword in accord". Ichi is commonly used term in this respect.

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

@@jisoenman what does the pen and sword as one mean.

[@jisoenman]

@@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU In the West one would say that "The pen is mightier than the sword". Bunbu ichi says they are as as one. The debated ideal of which is most important That of learning or martial skill.

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

@@jisoenman that the pen is mightier than the sword is a crucial lesson, a well spoken word can quell violence.

[@davidukuuurudolf9869]

I was actually reading his book, Gorin no sho

[@junichiroyamashita]

Feh,if i were to rename it i would go with "Sword, One with Heaven and Earth, school" But it doesn't sound as cool as "Two heaven ,one style" . "Premier School of" sounds kinda generic ,but it works with Musashi s practicality,always seemed peculiar to me that such a grandiose name was chosen by a man known for his simplicity.

[@bernardorodero8374]

Be one with heaven and one with earth is literally in the book, and one practice in modern kendo

[@wayaoh997]

Much Thanks for this🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@christopheralexander2485]

Dude if you ever come to Michigan look me up let's do some ninja shizzle brother from another

[@shadowfighter6445]

That does make sense, thank you for sharing, I'm a big fan of Musashi.

[@raklibra]

Anthony what do you think of the historical anecdotes of Musashi using two swords? In one instruction to a novice who was in a judicially forced fight, he instructs in dual-wielding, effectively telling him how to parry with one sword and thrust with another

[@AntonyCummins]

Still researching

[@thepunadude]

EVER HAD THE JAPANESE SCHOLARS DIVE INTO THESE 'DIFFERENCES'? YOU JUST RAILED OFF 3 WHITE GUYS

[@AntonyCummins]

That’s my point.

[@KamiSeiTo]

Isn't buddhist named given once the person is dead? How Musashi would know what would his buddhist name be??

[@AntonyCummins]

No that’s not true. A Buddhist death name is given after dead. A Buddhist name is given on vows

[@KamiSeiTo]

@@AntonyCummins Oh!! I mixed those two, then. I never heard of the second, though now I think of it it makes sense. So at the time he wrote the gorin no sho, he already had that Niten Doraku buddhist name?

[@highchamp1]

Sounds reasonable Evolution He wrote Hyoho Sanju-go before Book of Five Rings. Two names for a school (That's just the way of business.) Two swords (school) kind of a gimmick isn't it? (specialist schools) Book of Five Rings. Naming things (Dao) Probably not a great concept in itself. Like Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do (becomes dated, inflexible and a tradition) College (of Martial Arts) method My approach. Unless you are preserving history (in general) and used as a reference point.

[@mrmikeryan1]

Always a day one pre-order. Thanks Antony!

[@the11yearoldtopG]

Please make a video about if the ninja/shinobi ever fought other ninja in combat

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

he might have covered this topic in one of his videos already... i am in the process of watching all of his videos from the very beginning, although prior to this endeavor i would click on videos that would catch my eye and i do recall him mentioning something on the topic in question but the name of the video escapes me at the moment... nonetheless i encourage you to save your question and ask it again when he has a chance to answer you... possibly when he has another live stream... or you can travel down the shinobi rabbit hole with me and watch all the videos on his channel until you find the answer you seek lol... if by then you haven't found your answer we can go back to plan A. : )

[@jde1311]

That is very interesting. Really liked this video.

[@christopheralexander2485]

Sir could you do some content about the I ching ? I think you would be good candidate to unlock the history behind it hard to find any information about it but it's all pervasive in the kung Fu culture

[@AntonyCummins]

All in hand, all in hand 😊

[@damianc80]

Wow fantastic work ! ! !

[@dorjedriftwood2731]

Sounds spot on.

[@EbbFlowe]

I'm no expert on Japanese miliitary/martial arts history, but to my intuition as someone with a JLPT N2 certification and a bit of looking into the term "ichiryuu", I'm inclined to disagree. From what I can tell according to online dictionaries intended for use by Japanese users like weblio and kotobank, ichiryuu does indeed mean "first class", and can even carry the specific connotation of some sort of school of some kind of performing art, but it seems to only be used as an adjective. "The First-Rate Dancer" "Highly Prestigious Academy" "Grade-A Asshole" (ichiryuu no kusoyarou). But as far as I can tell, it's always only used as a general descriptor of high quality of nearly anything, but not quite the absolute superiority of any one thing in particular. On the other hand, the Japanese dictionaries readily list only "ryuu" as being a suffix for "X - style" or "School of X" I tried to search "Meaning of Niten Ichiryuu" in Japanese, and it seems it was originally called Nitou (Two Swords) because according to Musashi, "the two swords a samurai carries are infact his own soul, and are what separate them from the rest of the populace", so I think maybe a more accurate translation of NitouIchi Ryuu might be "The style that places the samurai's spirit (his two swords being a representation of that) above all else". The two swords are not "used as one", they are "#1" in his heart. He also advocated for basically symmetrical training, and so part of this insistence on both swords was to train in such a way that your left arm was just as dexterous and powerful as your right, but not necessarily to dual wield - just so that you're not a useless lump that has to commit to becoming a buddhist priest after "only" losing one arm when you still have another perfectly good one. The battle is only truly lost when you are dead. It seems that "niten" itself also has several possible meanings, including referring to a couple of pairs of buddhist deities, like the sun and moon deity, or two of the "four kings". "Ten" is commonly used as a name suffix to indicate some sort of deity status, such as Bishamonten. So I think you're on the right track that his name carries a hint. Taken literally, I might translate his Buddhist name Niten Douraku to "He Who Delights Himself in the Path of the Two Deities", his two deities being his two swords. I think thought of this way, it's not hard to see how to Musashi, Nitou and Niten might as well be one and the same. It went from "The Style That Places The Two Swords Above All Else" to "The Style That Worships Two Gods Above All Others". It is fictional, but I've been listening to the Audiobook of Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi recently, which is how I ended up here lol. The novel portrays Musashi as utterly obsessed with mastering the sword not just as a martial art, but as a medium through which he could master everything. He can be kind, caring, and thoughtful to others - but as soon as he feels like playing hero will interfere with his training, he will drop it with frightening ease to continue his path and leave you in some really fucked up situations. He spends most of the novel (almost 10 years) actively running away from one of the prettiest girls in Japan because he just can't fathom being able to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship with her by his side. The novel really plays up the thought that Musashi truly treasures solitude and his sword, and considers it like all the family and friends he'd ever *truly* need (even if his natural desire for human intimacy is screaming otherwise). At one point, just before a battle which he thought he might actually die in, he actually curses himself for in a moment of absentmindedness *almost* praying to the gods for his survival. It portrays him as someone respectful of the Japanese and Buddhist gods, but only reliant on himself and his swords.

[@KarateDatu]

Makes sense. On top of that if I put '一流' into GoogleTranslate from Chinese instead of Japanese, it translates to 'First class'.

[@AntonyCummins]

Perfect

[@brynmarcum1031]

This is an awesome theory good evidence too

[@alunrogers464]

Makes alot of sense. Good video as always.

[@christopheralexander2485]

I have dokkodo a lone samurai and a book of five rings plus I have a hagakure

[@christopheralexander2485]

I got a few of your books sir appreciate your enthusiasm

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

we appreciate your enthusiasm as well brother. keep the flame alive. : )

[@christopheralexander2485]

Yes sir

[@daiaimaru5618]

Your theory does make sense, but what about the Ittou Ryu schools, like Ono-ha Ittou Ryu and Kogen Ittou Ryu. I don’t think the name literally means “one sword” ‘cause there is no point of using such a name, as using one sword is the norm, so it’s not something new, unless there were in fact some schools that predominantly used two swords in their practice, and thus the “Ittou Ryu” name has been added to distinguish some schools from the two-swords schools. Also, of course, it doesn’t refer to a group of people, or warriors in particular, meaning something like “a lower-ranking warrior” or “a half warrior” in this case, as this would discredit the schools.

[@aressp]

I have no true opinion on the matter. It seems interesting approach. In other cases, I get the impression that on purpose the chosen name is ambiguous to allow different interpretation that lead in deeper understunding of the matter.

[@tochiro6902]

Very good, and very interesting 👍

[@henrikaugustsson4041]

Watching your videos is like watching Indiana Jones or National Treasure!

[@blackswordshinobi]

Miyamoto Musashi’s / Pemiere school of Myamot Musashi hummmmmmmmmmm might that way good thought mate or Pemiere school of the warrior

[@hisashijrauman3692]

It makes Sense just like Yagyu Shinkage ryu or Ito Ryu, both are named after people who created them, with the latter Yagyu Sekihusai created it after he learned Shinkage ryu from Kamiizumi Nobutsuna.

[@Omegaures]

Solid!

[@bernardorodero8374]

I’ve practiced kendo, Iaido and a little kenjutsu for many years, and when I read the gorin no who, I always thought Mushashi speaks of two very different things, the way of the two swords as a martial art and the way of the two swords as a spiritual way, like you are a warrior 100% of the time, but fight only 1% of your life, and you need to live as a human for that 99% of that life. It’s a lot like the duality you mention several times of the ying-yang of ninpo, at least for me. That was my reading of the two-swords-as-one (btw, the two swords are the warrior and the actual iron, not the wakizashi and katana) and two-heavens-as-one.

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

I'm about to fall asleep while watching this cuz my bedtime so I may have missed it but did you say what Musashi's full Buddhist name translates as?

[@AntonyCummins]

I did not. Basically it’s a name he used in life

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

@@AntonyCummins ok Thank you. Does it have a specific meaning?

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

@@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 i encourage you to mark your question down and attempt to ask antony again at a later point. : ) he is very good about answering questions it's just that these days there are too many questions for him to answer and he needs some time to work on his books but i know he will happily answer we just need to figure out a good method to do so. i will also take a screen shot of your question so that we don't forget lol.

[@gabrielrossa5004]

Didn't Musashi say something about using two swords somewhere in the text? Something like it would be a shame to die with only your long sword out when you could have had the wakizashi in your left hand. Perhaps that passage is what helped people jump to the conclusion in the name of the school.

[@AntonyCummins]

Good point

[@bernardorodero8374]

Of course mushashi does refer to the wakizashi... but a lot like a metaphor, like what a shame would be to die and have used only one aspect of yourself, focusing on ‘the way of the katana’ and having missed the other half of life just because ‘I be big warrior’. Like “think outside the box and don’t use only the hammer, not all thing in life are nails”

[@db-jugg3r]

Guys, please help me out. Antony once said about one of his books, that it deals with the shinobi mindset of espionage, which can be adapted to modern times, but might get you a bit paranoid. Please tell me which book and video it was. I clicked through so many but i still cannot find it :(

[@AntonyCummins]

I did a book on modern ninja. Try that. Just search modern ninja cummins

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

im in the process of watching all of antonys videos. i started from oldest and working my way to newest where im by the video hasn't covered what you are asking, if i knew the answer to that i will surely tell you, if this particular video is still on his channel i will definitely be coming across it, may you persevere in your quest to find this video. hopefully we can discuss it in the future : )

[@db-jugg3r]

@@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU @antony Awesome guys! thx!

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

Antony i just finished reading an article from a website called scientific american on how to end all wars, a worthwhile puzzle to solve surely, i didn't want to start asking questions until i watched all your videos and then thought of the possibility of having to read all your books that i was able to get my hands on to see if it would answer my questions without having to ask you, now i do hope you read this but no need to reply as you have already stated nor do i want you to over think this right now as i want you to stay focused on your current aims, i will certainly take note of this in case you don't get the opportunity to read this, i want to hear the communities thoughts on such an endeavor, what do the scrolls have to say about this? or what is the aim of the natori ryu, budo ryu, and the other schools? first thought is for self defense right? ive even thought how would we be able to apply the skills and tools in a non warlike manner, preserving the teachings but what comes next when there isn't a need to use the techniques in a hypothetical situation where there isn't any war among all the nations of this world. i guess one example would be the invention of fire works right? what came first i don't know... surely you or one of our fellow community members would have the answer to that.. but say fire works came after, before that these same ingredients were used as a weapon, i prefer to use the word tool instead of weapon. goodness before i start going all over the place i will simply ask... is there any talks on transcending war in the scrolls? the day i decided to pursue this path i was under a bridge by where i live where there is a canal. i took a seat and as time passed remaining where i was , almost all at once animals began moving around me, fish began coming back to the edge, a frog hopped out as well... you get the idea, i remained very still like that one technique where a shinobi would be a rock and stay in that position for god knows how long lol... well it was then... amongst nature feeling at one with the animals i decided to want to learn the art of stealth so i can be close to animals and watch them... even see if i could use those skills to find big foot lol... well as you can see my original intentions of treading this path had nothing to do with war... i mean this thread here can go real deep right and i want to see what others who tread this path might have to share on this... i would love to hear from you guys... i know this is alot to digest and take your time... i know it takes time to find the right words yea... im only being this vocal because of that shinobi soldier video lol ... really let the cat out of the bag with this one Antony lol , you made me feel like this was ok to do, i don't have any social media... as i think about it this is the most social media ive done... i just want to hear from other shinobi, i want to know the thoughts of the likes of nakashima sensei, in regards to transcending war.

[@AntonyCummins]

My last video literally said I’m no longer doing that 😂sorry I can not answer all questions anymore

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

@@AntonyCummins it's ok antony i took a screen shot of my message so we as a group can discuss it later down the line. this channel is literally the only social media i engage in at the moment lol. i am writing this in the hopes that one of your shinobi soldiers will engage me. i am one of your 300 antony. or i might be shinobi soldier 301 lol i hope that number will increase as time goes on. for now i am commenting on your most recent videos so that you can read (but not reply) : ) my comments and hopefully other fellow shinobi soldiers will engage me, and maybe you can drop a video some time later in the future, just getting a discussion going with the core group of which i am a part of and i hope the core group increases in number with wise members. i will do as you asked in your previous video to the best of my ability. i am also stacked with a bunch of other objectives to accomplish on my end but i want this base team to hold up and develop as we go. : )

[@Japanese-budo]

No, you’re wrong. As usual.

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

antony has said in a previous video that there are researchers with a PhD that have gone further down the rabbit hole than he has, i believe he decided to forgo a PhD so that he can stay near this community if i remember correctly, to get his PhD he would have to disappear for a few years but aside from that what an honor to engage with someone who has a PhD!!! your presence is sincerely welcome here... my truest hope is that we can come together in a spirit of collaboration. deepest regards. : )

[@Finny1996]

@@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU lol.

[@norseca542]

i read the complete musashi and there they said that he rewrote the entire earth scroll and was in the process of rewriting the rest of go rin no sho in order to fully commit to niten instead of nito or so they theorized

[@dustinm8520]

Pretty sure by now everyone knows why I am writing this. See ya next video!

[@GHOSTofYOSHIMITSU]

ichigun ichimi!!! : )

[@TheWasteOfTime]

I know I'm a couple years late on this, but Niten Ichi Ryu is still around. Ye don't need to just count on translations of the Gorin No Sho. Ye could just ask one of those groups, but to be fair I'm unaware of any who use the translation yer trying to promote. Both the various lines of Santo Ha and Noda Ha all use "Two Heavens as One School."

[@AntonyCummins]

Please watch my videos and you will realize why I do not use the modern schools of today just documents

[@TheWasteOfTime]

@@AntonyCummins I'm aware of yer stance. That was more written for others who might stumble on this video. I mean say what ye want about this or that technique changing over the centuries, but I think the schools can be counted on to get their own names right.

[@Gun_Samurai]

I read it as ニ刀 ; two swords 🤔 although Japanese is my second language. Perhaps there’s a little confirmation bias 🙇‍♂️

[@alfonsonajera2439]

Man, I think you're dead on!! Leave it to Anthony to figure the right translation out!! 😃👍

[@AntonyCummins]

Why thank you