Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Shu-ha-ri-shin [守破離心]

by CEJames (arthur) & Akira Ichinose (editor/researcher)


The Shu–Ha–Ri–Shin (守破離心) framework is both a pedagogical model and a philosophy of martial arts (and traditional Japanese arts more broadly). It describes the progression of mastery, how one learns, internalizes, and transcends form, ultimately arriving at mastery of both body and mind.


Below I’ll break it down with detail, philosophy, and academic traceability.


1. Origins and Meaning

• The phrase Shu–Ha–Ri (守破離) originates in Japanese classical martial arts (koryū bujutsu) and has been adopted into other traditional disciplines such as tea ceremony, Noh theater, and calligraphy.

• The fourth stage, Shin (心, “mind/heart”), is a later expansion — found in some martial traditions, including certain karate-jutsu and aikido lineages, emphasizing mind and spirit.

• Primary idea: mastery is not just technical but involves breaking free from form and embodying principle.


Sources:

• Tokitsu, Kenji. The Inner Art of Karate: Cultivating the Budo Spirit in Your Practice (2003).

• Aikido master Fumio Toyoda & others in koryū arts on Shu–Ha–Ri pedagogy (Hall, David A. Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts, 2012).

• Hidy Ochiai, The Essence of Self-Defense (2002), where Shin is integrated.


2. Stages of Shu–Ha–Ri–Shin


Shu (守) – “Obey / Protect”

• Meaning: To “protect” or “obey” tradition.

• Martial context:

• The student follows forms (kata, kihon) exactly.

• Faithful imitation of teacher’s method.

• Emphasis on discipline, repetition, and preservation of transmitted knowledge.

• Philosophy: One cannot transcend what has not first been embodied. Form is the vessel of principle.


Ha (破) – “Break / Detach”

• Meaning: To “break” or “detach” from rigid adherence.

• Martial context:

     • Application (bunkai), testing against resistance, adapting technique.

     • Practitioners begin to modify forms based on understanding, personalizing them.

• The “why” behind movements becomes more important than the “how.”

• Philosophy: Progress lies in breaking the mold, not discarding tradition but discovering flexibility within it.


Ri (離) – “Leave / Transcend”

• Meaning: To “separate” or “transcend.”

• Martial context:

     • Practitioner no longer clings to form. Kata becomes principle embodied in spontaneous action.

     • Movements are natural, without visible thought.

     • The art becomes one’s own expression, aligned with tactical reality.

• Philosophy: True mastery arises when technique dissolves and only principle remains.


Shin (心) – “Mind / Heart”

• Meaning: The inner stage, emphasizing the cultivated spirit.

• Martial context:

     • Beyond physical skill — integration of wisdom, restraint, compassion, and strategy.

     • Recognition that martial skill is for survival, preservation of life, and ethical use of power.

     • Mind becomes the true weapon, the body merely its servant.

• Philosophy: The culmination is not just freedom from form, but the unification of skill and mind, embodying both jutsu (art/technique) and dō (way).


3. Philosophical Parallels

• Zen Buddhism:

     • Parallels the progression of form → emptiness → naturalness.

     • D.T. Suzuki and Eugen Herrigel’s writings on Zen in martial arts echo this cycle.

• Confucian Learning Cycle:

     • First imitate tradition, then question and adapt, then embody true virtue.

• Modern Budo:

     • Karate-dō, aikidō, kendō, etc. often adopt Shu–Ha–Ri as their teaching philosophy, with Shin representing the ultimate cultivation of kokoro (heart-mind).


Source:

• Draeger, Donn F. Classical Bujutsu (1973) – describes traditional transmission models.

• Hall, David A. Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts (2012) – Shu–Ha–Ri as a framework.

• Tokitsu, Kenji (2003).


4. Applications in Martial Training

• Curricular design:

     • Shu → fixed drills and kata

     • Ha → bunkai, randori, scenario training

     • Ri → live application, spontaneous tactics

     • Shin → lifelong practice, ethical leadership, and teaching

• Self-defense philosophy:

     • A practitioner progresses from mechanical response to fluid adaptability to strategic wisdom.


5. Traceable References

1. Tokitsu, Kenji. The Inner Art of Karate: Cultivating the Budo Spirit in Your Practice.Shambhala, 2003.

2. Draeger, Donn F. Classical Bujutsu. Weatherhill, 1973.

3. Hall, David A. Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts. Kodansha USA, 2012.

4. Ochiai, Hidy. The Essence of Self-Defense. Kodansha USA, 2002.

5. Suzuki, D.T. Zen and Japanese Culture. Princeton University Press, 1959.


✅ Summary:

Shu–Ha–Ri–Shin (守破離心) represents the full arc of martial progression:

• Shu – Protect tradition (imitation).

• Ha – Break form (adaptation).

• Ri – Transcend form (natural expression).

• Shin – Mind mastery (wisdom and responsibility).


This is both a practical training model and a philosophical compass, guiding martial artists from mere technique to enlightened, ethical mastery.



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