Shin Budo Kai Seminars

This page will contain the seminar schedule for Imaizumi-Sensei and other Shin-Budo Kai Events

Imaizumi-Sensei will typically cover various subjects in Aikido, Genkido and weapons training (Jodo and/or Bokkendo) over a 3 or 4 day period.

Group Portrait from Austin Seminar -
March 3-6, 2005

Kan Shugyo is over for 2005! See you Next Winter, Jan 2006

Kan Shugyo (Winter Training) is an annual event at NY Shin Budo Kai. We open the windows, turn off the heat and after stretching and Genkido exercises, have a vigorous Aikido practice for an hour 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of "naked Ki-breathing" without gi-tops (women wear T-shirts) and 20 minutes of misogi chanting (TO-HO-KA-MI-E-MI-TA-ME). This replaces regular classes for the duration. Spectators are not allowed during breathing and chanting, but visitors may participate. Since we are in a basement space, now, there arent too many windows to open!
NOTE: Doors are to be locked at about 7:15 pm prior to the start of breathing.

The following is an edited excerpt from the Shin-Budo Kai Newsletter, No. 20 December 1995 by Shizuo Imaizumi discussing Misogi Training:

What is Koshinto?

The Japanese word "ko" means "old"; "shin" means "gods"; and "to", "The Way". Thus "Koshinto" literally means the "Old Way of the gods".

The beginnings of Shinto can be traced back to the JOMON period (an archaeological term designating the Japanese neolithic period extending from about 8000 B.C. or earlier to about 200 B.C.). When people see or hear the word Shinto, the majority of them are apt to imagine Kokka Shinto or the State Shinto established by the Japanese Government in the late 19th century and later abolished after the end of the Second World War or the word Shinto may make people think of Jinja Shinto, the Shinto shrine where worshippers go to worship. The word Koshinto is used to distinguish the true essence of Shinto from the concepts of Kokka Shinto and Jinja Shinto.

Some Japanese Mythology

Both the god Izanagi-no-mikoto and the goddess Izanami-no-mikoto descended from heaven to the first island they made through their action of musubi and they got married there. They continued to create other islands. After that, they gave birth to many gods such as the god of mountains, the god of seas, the god of wind, the god of woods, the god of lands, etc. When Izanami-no-mikoto gave birth to the god of fire, she burned to death and started a trip to the land of the dead called "yomi-no-kuni".

Izanagi-no-mikoto lived alone for awhile, but he could not bear the pain of solitude. He decided to meet his late wife in the land of the dead, but when he saw her there, he was astonished and seized with horror at the sight of her completely changed and ugly and he ran away from the land of the dead. He went to the province called Tsukushi-no-himuka (a part of the present northern Kyushu in Japan) and reached the place called Tachibana-no-odo-no-awagihara. There he washed off the uncleanliness of his body with pure water. When he washed his left eye, "Amaterasu-oomikami" or "goddess of the sun" came out from there. When he washed his right eye, "Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto" or "god of the moon" appeared. Finally, when he washed his nose, "Susanoo-no-mikoto" or "god of warriors" was born. These three most important "shin" or "kami" (gods) in Japanese mythology were born through "misogi", or "purification".

What is Misogi?

The word "mi" means "a body" and "sogi" or "sogu" refers to "to purify". Thus, "misogi" literally means "to purify a body". The cleansing action by Izanagi-no-mikoto is the origin of misogi training. Koshinto mythology tells us of the importance of making a restart by purifying our soul and body. There are two misogi training methods. One is the method of purifying one's body from impurities by bathing under a waterfall or pouring water on oneself. It is called "mizu-no-misogi" or "the misogi training by water". In this misogi training, we begin with purging the body or noxious vapors so that the clean and plus ki energy can come within us. As a result, we can be restored to our original energy.

The other is the method of purifying one's soul through "kokyu-ho" or the "breathing training" and "kotodama-ho" or "chanting training". Although there are several methods of the breathing and chanting training, Shin-Budo Kai emphasizes the ki breathing and the chanting of eight sounds: "TO-HO-KA-MI-E-MI-TA-ME". The origin of these eight sounds derives from the words of "tohotsu-kami megumi-tamae". The "tohotsu-kami" is the equivalent to the TO-HO-KA-MI, and the "megumi-tamae" to the E-MI-TA-ME. The word "tohotsu" means "farther"; "kami" means "god" and "megumi-tamae" means "to have mercy on". Thus, the words "tohotsu-kami megumi-tamae" mean "Gods in the heavens! Have mercy on me".

Although "kami" means "the gods", the word "kami" consists of "ka" or "hi" (fire) and "mi" or "mizu" (water). Therefore, one should accomplish the Way of gods by purifying the soul and body through both "misogi" training methods --- "mizu-no-misogi" and "hi-no-misogi"

Master Ueshiba said "Misogi is Aiki, and Aikido begins with misogi." It means that the purpose of Aikido is to carry out "misogi" or "spiritual training". In other words, a person should endeavor to purify his or her own soul through Aikido.

Conclusion

In Koshinto, yaoyorozu-no-kami or "eight millions of gods" exist. All things are defined as gods because nature itself is the universe. That is why one respects the spirit of the universe and worships nature itself as gods. In other words, one should recognize the feeling in one's body when experiencing a breath as the vigor and undulation of Mother Nature. Accordingly, the first priority in Koshinto is to unify both the rhythms of nature and of one's own life.

Finally, I hope you understand that you are pracicing Aikido "ki" breathing and "misogi" chanting under the influence of Koshinto. The essence of Koshinto itself is not the religion. It corresponds to pure water. Everybody can freely feel the essence of Koshinto anytime and anywhere. "Kan Shugyo", the winter spiritual training is held every January at the dojo of New York Shin-Budo Kai. The event of 1999 Kan-Shugyo will be held January 25-29. Sessions of ki breathing and misogi chanting will be held these days. If you have a chance, please try to participate in this event.

• Life and Thought of a Shinto Priest

For questions on NY Shin-Budo Kai events, Email Bob Tullman