The Zero of Eight

First off, I deeply apologize for neglecting this blog for so long.  I noticed my last entry was January 2nd!  At any rate, here I am with a new topic to spill out my thoughts on - "The Zero Of Eight"

In our Bujinkan studies, we learn about something called Kihon Happo.  The Kihon Happo are essentially 8 fundamental technique principles, although this has been toyed with to mean infinite (depending on how you write the kanji for "happo").  Our Soke has said that the number 8, when turned on it's side, is the universal symbol for infinity.  So are the Kihon Happo.

However, as a student trying to learn this crazy art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, we are brought back to the Kihon Happo as being 8 techniques.  Although there are actually 2 different lists of Kihon Happo (the original version had a technique called Ura Gyaku Ken Sabaki Gata instead of what is commonly listed as Onikudaki), really the list has remained fairly consistent.

What is important to understand is the wording of Happo.  The kanji "po" means "law" or "principle", not "technique" (-jutsu), "form" (waza/kata).  That means the exact technique is not the point.  The principle is.  The fundamental lessons contained in each Kihon can be applied to a variety of technique variations.  This is what I think is meant when the Kihon Happo are explained as being an infinite number of techniques.  In addition, Toshitsugu Takamatsu (Hatsumi Soke's teacher), taught the Kihon Happo were the base of all martial arts.  Certainly, he didn't actually mean the techniques themselves, as every martial art has their own unique version of each of them.  But, rather, every martial art has techniques that use the same principles, strategies and concepts expressed by each of the Kihon Happo.  This is also why Soke's teaching has been referred to as "Global Budo".  It truly is universal!

However, within the Kihon Happo, every student is guided to strip away, layer by layer, all the external parts and levels of understanding so that they are able to develop the "kihon of the kihon", or the intricate little parts that make it all work the way Soke makes it work.  This is an on-going process of deep study, patience and diligent practice with a good teacher.  As one digs deeper into the study of these technique principles (i.e. "-po"), they begin to see them in all techniques.  So, in essence, study of the Kihon Happo is really a study of all martial arts techniques.

This is what brings me to the point of this post.  The 8 techniques of the Kihon Happo can be seen like the 8 spokes of a wheel.  At the center is Soke.  As budoka, we are seeking to develop strong "spokes" in our budo "wheel".  However, ultimately, all the spokes are held together by the essence, the center, the Zero.  This Zero is Soke.  As we train, we are seeking to become like Soke in our understanding and expression of Soke.  Of course, nobody can be like Soke, as we are all individual human beings.  But, we can evolve to be as beautifully efficient in our taijutsu movement, which is why we study his movement.

So, practice well and continue to strip away the layers of each Kihon Happo.  But, ultimately, allow yourself to see beyond each technique as being a seperate thing and strive to see the beauty of the whole.  Strive to see the Zero of Eight.

Gambatte kudasai!