Kotokukan Dojo .

The tea master who went to war.

No one expected the tea guy to show up at Sekigahara.

That's what they called him. Oda Urakusai.
Younger brother of Oda Nobunaga - the most feared warlord Japan ever had. While Nobunaga burned temples, his little brother Nagamasu studied how to whisk tea under Sen no Rikyu.

The other samurai said he was soft. Said he belonged in a tearoom, not a battlefield.

Then October 21, 1600 comes. 160,000 men. Fog so thick you couldn't see 10 feet.

And who walks out of that fog with Tokugawa's Eastern Army?
Urakusai. 53 years old. 450 men.

His son found him not sharpening his sword, but making tea. In full armor.
"Father... what are you doing?"
He smiled and handed him a bowl.
"My brother taught me how to take a life. My master Rikyu taught me how to honor one. Today we might lose ours. So let's remember what peace tastes like first."

He put his bowl down, picked up his spear, and charged. The East won.

For his service, Ieyasu gave him 30,000 koku - a whole domain. Years later, he left it all, retired to Kyoto, and built a tiny two-mat tea hut with his own hands. He named it Joan.

That hut is a National Treasure now. Still standing.
All those warlords who mocked him are dust. Their castles burned down.
His little tea house is still here.

Anyone can learn how to win a war.
It takes a real man to figure out how to live in peace.

Based on the true story of Oda Nagamasu / Urakusai (1548-1622). Dialogue dramatized.

We had a very productive and enjoyable Hakkoryu Jujutsu class this morning.
Well done to all.

The Biggest Upgrade in Life Is Learning Not to React to Everything

In a world that moves faster every day, people are constantly surrounded by opinions, criticism, praise, distractions, and endless noise. Social media, workplace conflicts, family disagreements, and unexpected challenges can easily pull our emotions in every direction. Many believe that strength is shown by responding to everything. In reality, one of the greatest signs of wisdom is knowing when not to react.

The quote, "The biggest upgrade in life is learning not to react to everything," reminds us that emotional control is a powerful form of self-mastery. Every opinion does not deserve a response. Every insult does not require revenge. Every misunderstanding does not need an argument. Sometimes, silence is stronger than words.

Imagine an experienced samurai sitting peacefully while arrows labeled "Opinions" fly past him. He does not panic. He does not chase every arrow. He remains calm because he understands that his peace is more valuable than winning every battle. This image represents the mindset of truly disciplined people. They recognize that most conflicts are temporary, but losing control of themselves can have lasting consequences.

Reacting impulsively often leads to regret. Anger can destroy relationships in minutes. Fear can prevent us from taking opportunities. Pride can make us reject valuable advice. Emotional reactions usually focus on the present moment, while wisdom considers the long-term consequences.

Learning not to react does not mean becoming weak, passive, or indifferent. Instead, it means choosing your response carefully. There is a significant difference between reacting and responding. A reaction is automatic and driven by emotion. A response is thoughtful, intentional, and guided by reason. Strong people pause before speaking. They observe before judging. They think before acting.

This mindset also protects mental health. When we stop allowing every negative comment or criticism to control our emotions, we become more peaceful and confident. We realize that other people's opinions are reflections of their own experiences, beliefs, and emotions—not necessarily of our worth. We cannot control what others say, but we can always control how we respond.

History shows that great leaders, philosophers, and martial artists valued patience above aggression. They understood that mastering oneself is far more difficult than defeating an opponent. Anyone can lose their temper, but remaining calm under pressure requires discipline, experience, and inner strength.

Practicing emotional discipline takes time. It begins with simple habits: taking a deep breath before answering, listening more than speaking, avoiding unnecessary arguments, and accepting that not every disagreement needs to be won. Over time, these small habits develop into a calm and resilient character.

Life will always present criticism, setbacks, and unexpected difficulties. People will misunderstand you. Some will doubt your abilities. Others may judge your choices without knowing your story. If you react to every opinion, you surrender your peace to other people. If you remain grounded in your values, however, no outside noise can easily shake you.

The greatest upgrade in life is not gaining more wealth, status, or recognition. It is gaining mastery over your own mind. When you no longer feel compelled to react to everything, you become calmer, wiser, and stronger. Like the silent samurai, you understand that true power is not found in fighting every battle—it is found in knowing which battles are not worth fighting at all.

Great seminar.

last morning of training completed of the Hakko ryu intensive week of training in all of the Hakkoryu arts including the healing arts. Plus Qi Gong i was very honoured to be asked to teach a little Kokamishin Ryu Jujutsu.
First class instruction, well organised and attended by very attentive and hard working participants.
A big Thank you to Armand Shihan for hosting the event and to all french Shihan’s for their friendship and open sharing of knowledge.
Looking forward to next year.
🙏🏽

The Hakkoryu intensive week long course is very enjoyable. Nice to meet up with fellow Shihan and their students.
schedule is :-
Breakfast then -
mornings begin with Qi gong session outside under the willow trees with mountain view.
Then walk to the dojo for Hakkoryu jujutsu Waza practice.
Hakkoryu jujutsu Shihan only practice.
group Lunch break - rest.

Then back to the Dojo for -
Hakkoryu Goshin Taiso
Hakkoryu Jujutsu Waza.

Shower followed by group dinner and out for evening refreshments.

great start to the first day of intensive training. 🙏🏽

Qi Gong du matin pour commencer la journée 🙏

Hakkoryu summer camp intensive training day one.
Fabulous view from our room.