06/01/2026
Our fifth principle of Bushidō is Compassion (仁, Jin)
Jin represents the understanding that true strength exists not merely in the ability to destroy, but in the ability to protect, uplift, and show mercy when appropriate.
A warrior possesses power. Jin governs how that power is used.
Without compassion, courage can become recklessness, loyalty can become blind obedience, and honor can become arrogance. Jin tempers the other virtues by reminding the warrior that all people share common humanity.
05/04/2026
May the 4th be with you!
In honor of our favorite pop-culture holiday, we wanted to give a shoutout to one of the coolest and most "samurai-like" characters in the star wars universe, "The Ronin". As a part of the Star Wars visions series, this character is a direct influence of samurai culture put within the world of star wars. His debut was heavily influenced by Kurosawa's Yojimbo.
04/21/2026
Takeda Shingen 武田 信玄; (1521–1573) was one of the most powerful daimyō of Japan’s Sengoku period, ruling the Kai Province and expanding aggressively into central Japan. He was known as the Tiger of Kai.
Takeda Shingen earned fame as a brilliant military commander and strategist, known for his disciplined cavalry and innovative battlefield tactics. His banner motto, “Fūrinkazan” 風林火山 (“swift as wind, silent as forest, fierce as fire, immovable as mountain”), symbolized his approach to warfare.
He was one of the few who could challenge Oda Nobunaga in his campaign to unifying Japan.
His original name was Takeda Harunobu, however, in 1559, he became a sāmaṇera through his Buddhist studies and was given the dharma name "Shingen".
04/08/2026
Iai as an art serves as a way for people to help calm their minds. With a calm mind developed in training, we carry that same mind in all we do in life.
