#Nito-ryu

[naginatagifs]

Wakigamae to men-uchi

[notsoincog-nito-ryu]

So I've decided to make a blog...

I'm not positioning myself as an authority on kendo or anything. I guess I just want somewhere to put my thoughts, and who knows, maybe I can become a z-list internet celebrity or something one day! 😂

[sailorgokaidecade]

All Secondary Kamen Riders:

Kaoru Ichijo ("Honorable Mention"/Kamen Rider G3)

Makoto Hikawa (Kamen Rider G3)

Ren Akiyama (Kamen Rider Knight)

Masato Kusaka (Kamen Rider Kaixa)

Sakuya Tachibana (Kamen Rider Garren)

Iori Izumi (Kamen Rider Ibuki)

Arata Kagami (Kamen Rider Gatack)

Yuto Sakurai (Kamen Rider Zeronos)

Keisuke Nago (Kamen Rider Ixa)

Daiki Kaito (Kamen Rider Diend)

Ryu Terui (Kamen Rider Accel)

Akira Date & Shintaro Goto (Kamen Rider Birth)

Ryusei Sakuta (Kamen Rider Meteor)

Kosuke Nito (Kamen Rider Beast)

Kaito Kumon (Kamen Rider Baron)

Go Shijima (Kamen Rider Mach)

Makoto "Rion" Fukami (Kamen Rider Specter)

Hiiro Kagami (Kamen Rider Brave)

Ryuga Banjo (Kamen Rider Cross-Z)

Geiz Myokoin (Kamen Rider Geiz)

Isamu Fuwa (Kamen Rider Vulcan)

Rintaro Shindo (Kamen Rider Blades)

Daiji Igarashi (Kamen Rider Live) & Kagero (Kamen Rider Evil)

Keiwa Sakurai (Kamen Rider Tycoon)

Rinne Kudo (Kamen Rider Majade)

[deathmetalunicorn1]

If you had to create a roster for the Einherjar (without using those already on the list) who would you pick from history?

For a more fun one let’s play which Isekai characters would you pick to be an Einherjar?

This was quite fun to do!

1. Alexander the Great, educated, a strong warrior before he was king, responsible for sacking the Persian Empire, but even when the Persian King fled, he left the coward king’s family unharmed, showing that he was also compassionate. He died young and his heirs were assassinated shortly after and the empire promptly fell apart without his guidance.

2. Genghis Khan, one of history’s most infamous leaders, conquered the Mongol Empire plus most of Asia and Europe during his reign. A strong warrior and brilliant tactician who ruled his massive army, and had so many children with various women that his descendants could form their own army today. I love the mystery that nobody knows how he died or where his body is.

3. William Wallace, famous for leading Scotland to its freedom from the English, he may have not been the one to actually do it, but his actions as a warrior and a leader set in motion to the Scots rising up against King Edwards I following his death. His death was tragic, being betrayed and then executed in horrible ways and having his severed body parts displayed around England.

4. Miyamoto Musashi, a ronin samurai who killed his first person at age 13. He traveled alone with no affiliations to train his skills with a sword, which resulted in nito ichi-ryu, better known as kensai, battling with two swords. His most well-known fight was against Sasaki Kojiro, which he won, but then retired to train others with swords and retired with an undefeated record of 61 duels.

5. Spartacus, warrior turned slave turned gladiator turned rebellion leader, courageous but compassionate, a ruthless warrior who offered his enemies both mercy and respect, and led an army of rebels against their oppressors, the Roman Empire.

6. Achilles, who led the Greek army against Troy, killing Hector at the gates, a proud and strong warrior and leader, but he needs to make sure to wear iron boots that are impenetrable as everyone knows his weak spot.

7. Ching Shih, a female pirate who commanded 300 ships and was able to go toe-to-toe with the Chinese Imperial Navy. If you disobeyed you were immediately executed, but the same went for if her men raped captives, she had a no tolerance policy. She ended up getting to retire with all her wealth after the Imperial Government offered both her and her crew amnesty after they were defeated under the agreement that they would stop.

8. ‘Mad Jack’ Churchill, a British solider in WWII that charged into combat with weapons that were not common for the time, such as a sword and long bow. He was disappointed the war ended with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as he wanted to keep fighting. He once stormed a German held down in Italy with just one other man and captured a mortar position and 42 men with just his sword, long bow and his bagpipes.

9. Amanirenas, one eyed ancient queen of Kush, now modern day Sudan, who fought back against the Roman Empire, after the death of Cleopatra, when they decided to try to expand past Egypt, so viciously that Rome and Augustus were quick declare peace between the two empires after they couldn’t win due to the unbearable heat and the pissed off queen. A fierce tactician who used supposedly used war elephants, fed captors to her pet lion, and defaced Augustus’ statues and kept the head of one statue under the feet of the throne of Kush.

10. Lyudmila Pavlichenko, deadliest female sniper in the world; sniper for the Soviet Union in the Red Army during WWII; nicknamed Lady Death and claimed, during her time as a sniper, to have killed 309 soldiers. Became an advocate for peace and toured the world.

11. Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin a French watchmaker, illusionist, magician and regarded as the father of the modern style of conjuring, having brought magic from something only seen at circuses or similar places like that for the poor, to something of grand entertainment for the wealthy.

12. Richard I of England, a bad king but a brilliant warrior, having spent most of his time in the Crusades, rather than running his own kingdom, or fighting against France

13. Ragnar Lothbrok, Swedish and Danish king, legendary Viking warrior leader who raid both the British Isles and the Holy Roman Empire in the 9th century

As for Isekai~

1. Ainz Ooal Gown- Overlord

2. Rimuru Tempest- That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime

3. Canya- In the Land of Leadale

4. Azusa Aizawa- I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed out my Level

5. Yuna- Kuma-Kuma-Kuma Bear

6. Albedo- Overlord

7. Diablo- That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime

8. Shiraori- So I’m a Spider, So What?

9. Seiya Ryuguin- Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious

10. Mamako Oosuki- Do You Love your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?

11. Diablo- How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

12. Hajime Nagumo- Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest

13. Teacher and Fran- Reincarnated as a Sword

[yyumemika]

A Premature Burial Episode 4

A Premature Burial 

Episode 4 

Season: Winter 

Characters: Kuro, Nazuna, Mika, Shu

Shu: However, if you use your brain, you should be able to speculate for yourself. 

This is simply a villa, and the Itsuki family's main residence is in Kansai. That’s why I go back to the “countryside” often during new year’s and such. 

Because of the trouble I had in the surrounding area, I met you. 

Mika: Nnah, I always wondered what Oshisan was doin’ in my hometown… Huh, but when ya ran away from home with Ryu-kun-san ya didn’t say anythin’? 

Shu: I suppose it was around that destination. At the time, my world was extremely narrow, I knew practically nothing of the region. 

Well, after all, I coludn’t get anywhere with my child’s feet, and my little childhood adventure came to an end with no accomplishments—

Mika: That’s where I got t’ meet ya~? Besides, Oshisan can go wherever now, right? 

Shu: I wonder. Even if I’m able to discuss art in a foreign language with westerners in Paris, my flesh and blood are still held captive by this suffocating building. 

That’s the feeling I have. Humans can simply never be free from their bonds. 

Things will always come along to firmly restrict us. Like a marionette with tangled strings. 

Mika: Oshisan…

Shu: Ah, what a strange thing to say. I don’t think we should be standing around talking by the eaves, shall we go in? 

While we’re at it, answer me this first, the reason I brought you here is because I don’t want to meet with my family alone. Do I need any other reason? 

Mika: But, yer family ain’t that scary. 

Shu: They aren’t particularly scary, but we don’t have a good relationship. The hierarchy that has been instinctively ingrained into me since childhood is certainly not something that can be ignored. 

On that point, if you’re here my family more or less have to keep up their appearance, thus they will go easy on us and I’ll be spared. They too have somewhat taken a liking to you. 

Mika: Even though the first time I came here I completely ignored ‘em… I guess I was just real confused and surprised that Oshisan took me in so suddenly. 

But I feel like it took some time fer me to open up. If we were gonna live together under one roof, I should express my feelin’s normally. 

Aha. first the orphanage, then Oshisan’s house, now Starmony Hall… If I really think about it, I’ve always lived with other people. 

Shu: If you’re not happy with that then find a family that you truly wish to live with from now on. 

You have hands and feet for that. You have a free soul that is bound by no one. Neither god nor person can stop you from doing that. 

Nazuna: Hell~o, Kagehira? 

Hmm. You’ve arrived at Itsuki’s house and dropped off your luggage so you’re taking a little break? 

So you thought it’d get busy in the morning, and had an early lunch so you could call at noon. 

Since Itsuki hurriedly booked a flight and arrived home late, you waited to join him…

Yeah. He didn’t plan on coming home as normal, so he arrived a little later than you. 

Hm? It’s lunchtime for me, so I’m just eating lunch as normal? 

Yeah… Kuro-chin thinks he can persuade me, he’s using the excuse that he “made too much” to serve me his home cooking… 

Kuro: I’m not giving up, Nito. 

Nazuna: Hm~… I’ll introduce you to Tomo-chin, I don’t think he’ll resist since he’s always made to wear girls' clothes. 

Kuro: I think Nito is a better fit. 

Nazuna: I’d rather hear you say that in a completely different situation too… Well, if I’m substituting for your little sister I guess it’s a little different to crossing. 

No, whether I like it or not, isn’t it just regular old crossdressing? I don’t get anything out of it? 

Kuro: It’s okay. Have some self confidence, Nito, you’re definitely cuter than any other girls. 

Nazuna: I’m not happy… You’re so stubborn. That’s exactly what I’d expect from Itsuki’s childhood friend— You’re really similar. 

Whatever. Anyway, Kagehira, not to be overbearing, but if anything happens get in touch right away. 

Ra*bits have gotten into a strange situation where we’re slowly getting less work, so I have free time. Yeah, I’m not trying to interfere just for fun. 

I know I’m not powerless… Maybe I just want to prove that I am able to help someone. 

Kuro: You don’t need to prove it. At least right now, you’re helping me. 

Nazuna: Oh~ Geez~ What a pain~ You were never the type to whine like this, Kuro-chin? Are you feeling alright? 

Kuro: I’ve got a lot of stuff going on. I want to grow out of the dependable, understanding big brother type that doesn’t cause trouble for anyone. 

No. I’m in the middle of searching for who I am and what I want to do. 

Nazuna: Is that trying to ask your closest male friend to wear elementary school girl’s clothes…? If that’s your true nature you should hide it and not show it to anyone, it’s weird. 

Kuro: That’s so mean, I asked you because you’re my closest friend. 

Nazuna: Hmph. Oh well, it’s rude to be on my phone while I’m eating, so I’ll hang up. I don’t really understand— but do what you can. 

It must be tough looking after Itsuki. But that’s what you want to do… Kagehira♪

[theblindninja]

NITO RYU vs KENJUTSU

[jazzzyx]

Raison d'etre

Episode 1

-Beginning Story 2-

<Next day seisoukan, near the entrance to the residential area>

Nazuna:

Absolutely disgusting…..

Kuro:

Hey there, can you please nod “yes” sensei

-kuro bows his head-

Aren't you friends with itsuki?

Nazuna:

Yeah, but I also want to do whatever kuro-chan asks.

But I hate what I hate.

Kuro:

What is it? You’re not so naive that you’d be embarrassed to be dressed in any strange costume now, aren't you, Nito?

Nazuna:

That's true, But…….

I'm about to turn 20 and I'm a good adult, but sometimes I look at myself in shorts, and think, “what am i doing”? Worrying about being cute.

Ra*bits is that kind of idol group, so i guess it can't be helped.

Kuro:

Oh, if that's the case…~

Nazuna:

And this is a different story! Why is it so sad that I have to wear female clothes made by my friend, Kuro.??

No! It feels nasty!

Kuro:

It is not nasty! Don't say such bad things, it's disrespectful

Why are you so reluctant? I'm just asking you to try on the outfit I made for my sister. Aren't i!

Nazuna:

Are you saying that you don't have the nerve to ask a man of your age to do that~!?

Kuro-chin's younger sister, if i'm not mistaken, she's still in elementary school, isn't she?

Kuro:

It's okay! Nito can do it!!

My little sister is similar to me in growth, and is getting taller and taller. Nito can wear it!

I believe in you! Nito!

Nazuna:

I wanted to hear those words in a different context…

Yes, yes, this story is over! It's unpleasant, Go back to your room!

Because of my friendship with Kuro-chan, I'll ignore this incident, so you can take a walk and cool off already!

Kuro:

Don't say that… I'm begging you, Nito~......

My younger sister has recently become more attractive and wants to be fashionable, but the clothes and accessories she wants are all ridiculously expensive.

I can’t afford it in our financial situation, so i thought i'd sew it myself, it's cheaper that way.

But with clothes, you cant know if they're good or bad unless you actually put your arm through the sleeve, So, what? Nito understands, right?

I'm begging you……… I don't deserve this. Nito……

This is not something i usually say, but ES idols are always pretty good-looking, Nito is a valuable human resource

The only person who seems to be able to wear girls' clothes normally is Nito, even if it's out of the whole world.

Nazuna:

Go buy a mannequin.

Kuro:

Wow, it's been a long time since ive seen that Glass ball, your eyes are cold…

Nazuna:

Most of all,i didn't want to go back to the days when i was acting like a doll in “Valkyrie”, in such a stupid scene

Mika:

……….!

Kuro:

Huh? Look ahead and talk, doesn't that hurt?

Mika:

………..

Kuro:

Hey…………. Did you bump into each other and not say hello? Did something happen, kagehira?

Mika:

Oh, how unbearable, Mr. Ryu-kun…!?

Kuro:

What's Wrong–..... Any trouble?

Mika:

Hmm? No, I have nothing to do with Ryu-kun….

Ah, but “Ryu-kun” is “Ryu-kun”! How are you?

Kuro:

Huh? You call me by the nickname I used when I was a kid, but frankly, it's about the same now, isn't it?

Mika:

“Ryu-kun” is Oshi-san's childhood friend, isn't he?

Kuro:

I can't tell what you are talking about, but what about itsuki?

-Story 2 End-

[thegenderfluidgokenin]

Pixel art of a skilled and accomplished Ichidoshin police officer, trained and distiguished for his fencing skill.

He is fiercely loyal to the Machi-Bugyo Police Magistrate, and by extension the Shogun.

Skilled in the Nito-Ichi-Ryu style of fighting, as will as specializations in Kodachi-Jutsu/Tantojutsu, using his Katana longsword as more of a bladed baton like Kendo, and mainly focusing on pointwork, with bats and slashes with his longsword when one's guard is open.

In the ranks of the police, he is in the 2nd Position, First Rank, the Three Positions being Higher Samurai, Lower Samurai (including the Doshin), and Non-Samurai, with the Rank system being kanji characters attributed to a Doshin, denoting accomplishment and seniority.

It is customary for ranks being inscribed on the belt of an officer, with that practice spreading to Shogun-Alligned Dojo.

He looks for oppuritunities to fight people who look like good swordfights to death, using false charges as a pretense.

[morienmacbain]

Dokkodo (The final wisdom of Miyamoto Musashi, Sword Saint, rendered into hokku by Morien MacBain, esq.)

 1.    You must accept things / whether hard sun or hard rain / like a wayside stone.

   2.   Honey fills the comb, / but do not seek life's pleasures / only for themselves.

   3.   No partial feeling / is ever worthy of trust- / Taste the whole berry!

   4.  Take yourself lightly, / but think of the world deeply / while warm daylight lasts.

   5.  Long life’s finest cut / severs life from desire- / That is swordsmanship!

   6.  A dry river bed / is like regret for what's done- / Find another course.

   7.  Take what comes to you, / do not claw at rice- / Never be jealous!

   8.  Life separates us / like ever-parting seasons- / Truth is not sadness.

   9.  Complaint helps nothing ,/ and resentment even less- / Drop them by the path!

   10. Lust and love bloom sweet,/but make poor guides on the way-/ Walk with open eyes!

   11. At harvest table- / cut away all preference, / and taste what comes next.

   12. Find yourself at home / in palace or cold bear's den / with indifference.

   13. Eat the ripe fruit- / but do not pursue good food /  for its taste alone.

   14. Open your hands- / Let things you don't need fly off / like birds to new trees.

   15. Custom is a chain- / rivers flow rightly untaught; / find your own beliefs.

   16. Don't collect weapons / or practice their ways-/ beyond that which is useful.

   17. Do not fear your death- / This advice is the hardest, / but the sweetest fruit!

   18. Old age needs little- / Do not seek to store  riches / for some far gray day.

   19. Craft your own marvels; / respect Buddha and the gods- / Do not count on them.

   20. Abandon your life- / Give your body to be burned, /  but keep your honor.

   21. Only one last thing- / Walking alone in high grass / Don't stray from this Way!

       This is an adaptation of the twenty-one precepts of Miyamoto Mushashi's Dokkodo into haiku form.

     The Haiku (known during period times as Hokku) is a form (waka) of Japanese poetry.  Each is meant to consist of three phrases, totaling seventeen syllables (on or morae).  Usually divided in a 5-syllable, 7-syllable, 5-syllable pattern (although some period exceptions exist).  Most incorporate a kireji or "cutting word", and a kigo, a word that directly or by implication or tradition relates to a season of the year.

      Kireji are traditionally located at the end of one of the three phrases, and fulfill a role much like the caesura in western poetry, or to the volta in a classical sonnet.  It may briefly cut the stream of thought, provide closure, or provide linkage or parallelism between the adjoining phrases.

     Haiku began in the 14th Century as the first three-line section of a collaborative verse form known as Haikai no renga.  One person would compose the first three lines, and the other would link the final two lines of seven-syllables each.  This created a 31-syllable poem of five phrases structurally identical to a tanka. Because the first three lines set the tone and imagery, they took on the privileged position in the process of composition, and eventually the composition of such three-phrase groups became the dominant form on their own.

     Although modern Haiku written in English are usually composed in three lines, Japanese, hokku/haiku,  especially those written in period, were traditionally  presented as a single line, as I do here.

         Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, philosopher, writer,, graphic artist, and ronin (masterless samurai).  He became renowned for his two-sword dueling style and his unparalleled record of success in 61 duels.  He is considered a Kensei (sword saint), and was the founder of Nito-Ichi-ryu swordsmanship.  He is best known for his masterpiece of strategy The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho), and his much more obscure Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone), which was composed during the last week of his life as a gift to his favorite disciple Terao Magonojo.  The principles of the Dokkodo express an ascetic and stoic way of life.

 The 21 precepts of the Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone) are:

1. Accept everything just the way it is.

2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.

6. Do not regret what you have done.

7. Never be jealous.

8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.

10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.

11. In all things have no preferences.

12. Be indifferent to where you live.

13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.

14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.

15. Do not act following customary beliefs.

16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.

17. Do not fear death.

18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.

19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.

21. Never stray from the way.

Bibliography:

           Musashi, Miyamoto (2018). Complete Musashi : The Definitive Translations of the Complete Writings of Miyamoto Musashi—Japan’s Greatest Samurai. Alexander Bennett. La Vergne: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-2027-3.

          Tokitsu, Kenji (2006). Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings. Trans. Sherab Chodzin Kohn. Weatherhill. ISBN 978-0-8348-0567-5.

          Sato, Hiroaki. One Hundred Frogs: From Renga to Haiku to English, Weatherhill 1983, ISBN 0-8348-0176-0

          Shirane, Haruo (2004). Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-10991-8.

  Dokkodo

(The final wisdom of Miyamoto Musashi, Sword Saint, rendered into haiku by Morien MacBain, esq.)

 1.    You must accept things / whether hard sun or hard rain / like a wayside stone.

   2.   Honey fills the comb, / but do not seek life's pleasures / only for themselves.

   3.   No partial feeling / is ever worthy of trust- / Taste the whole berry!

   4.  Take yourself lightly, / but think of the world deeply / while warm daylight lasts.

   5.  Long life’s finest cut / severs life from desire- / That is swordsmanship!

   6.  A dry river bed / is like regret for what's done- / Find another course.

   7.  Take what comes to you, / do not claw at rice- / Never be jealous!

   8.  Life separates us / like ever-parting seasons- / Truth is not sadness.

   9.  Complaint helps nothing ,/ and resentment even less- / Drop them by the path!

   10. Lust and love bloom sweet,/but make poor guides on the way-/ Walk with open eyes!

   11. At harvest table- / cut away all preference, / and taste what comes next.

   12. Find yourself at home / in palace or cold bear's den / with indifference.

   13. Eat the ripe fruit- / but do not pursue good food /  for its taste alone.

   14. Open your hands- / Let things you don't need fly off / like birds to new trees.

   15. Custom is a chain- / rivers flow rightly untaught; / find your own beliefs.

   16. Don't collect weapons / or practice their ways-/ beyond that which is useful.

   17. Do not fear your death- / This advice is the hardest, / but the sweetest fruit!

   18. Old age needs little- / Do not seek to store  riches / for some far gray day.

   19. Craft your own marvels; / respect Buddha and the gods- / Do not count on them.

   20. Abandon your life- / Give your body to be burned, /  but keep your honor.

   21. Only one last thing- / Walking alone in high grass / Don't stray from this Way!

       This is an adaptation of the twenty-one precepts of Miyamoto Mushashi's Dokkodo into haiku form.

     The Haiku (known during period times as Hokku) is a form (waka) of Japanese poetry.  Each is meant to consist of three phrases, totaling seventeen syllables (on or morae).  Usually divided in a 5-syllable, 7-syllable, 5-syllable pattern (although some period exceptions exist).  Most incorporate a kireji or "cutting word", and a kigo, a word that directly or by implication or tradition relates to a season of the year.

      Kireji are traditionally located at the end of one of the three phrases, and fulfill a role much like the caesura in western poetry, or to the volta in a classical sonnet.  It may briefly cut the stream of thought, provide closure, or provide linkage or parallelism between the adjoining phrases.

     Haiku began in the 14th Century as the first three-line section of a collaborative verse form known as Haikai no renga.  One person would compose the first three lines, and the other would link the final two lines of seven-syllables each.  This created a 31-syllable poem of five phrases structurally identical to a tanka. Because the first three lines set the tone and imagery, they took on the privileged position in the process of composition, and eventually the composition of such three-phrase groups became the dominant form on their own.

     Although modern Haiku written in English are usually composed in three lines, Japanese, hokku/haiku,  especially those written in period, were traditionally  presented as a single line, as I do here.

         Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, philosopher, writer,, graphic artist, and ronin (masterless samurai).  He became renowned for his two-sword dueling style and his unparalleled record of success in 61 duels.  He is considered a Kensei (sword saint), and was the founder of Nito-Ichi-ryu swordsmanship.  He is best known for his masterpiece of strategy The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho), and his much more obscure Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone), which was composed during the last week of his life as a gift to his favorite disciple Terao Magonojo.  The principles of the Dokkodo express an ascetic and stoic way of life.

 The 21 precepts of the Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone) are:

1. Accept everything just the way it is.

2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.

6. Do not regret what you have done.

7. Never be jealous.

8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.

10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.

11. In all things have no preferences.

12. Be indifferent to where you live.

13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.

14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.

15. Do not act following customary beliefs.

16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.

17. Do not fear death.

18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.

19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.

21. Never stray from the way.

Bibliography:

           Musashi, Miyamoto (2018). Complete Musashi : The Definitive Translations of the Complete Writings of Miyamoto Musashi—Japan’s Greatest Samurai. Alexander Bennett. La Vergne: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-2027-3.

          Tokitsu, Kenji (2006). Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings. Trans. Sherab Chodzin Kohn. Weatherhill. ISBN 978-0-8348-0567-5.

          Sato, Hiroaki. One Hundred Frogs: From Renga to Haiku to English, Weatherhill 1983, ISBN 0-8348-0176-0

          Shirane, Haruo (2004). Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-10991-8.

[jinjahime]

assorted kōsuke hcs :

kōsuke is 5 days older than ichigo; he likes to give him a hard time about it, as any good sibling who is the same age should, but it's all in good fun.

he's yōkai-blooded by way of his mother, reiko. my yōkai canon is that (generally) one type of yōkai will not beget the same type of yōkai; therefore, even though reiko is a jinja hime, kōsuke is a wani, a type of shapeshifting yōkai. he's got what looks like a spinner prayer ring that he wears on his finger, and when he spins it, whatever kanji face the ring lands on gives him transfomational abilities based on that. when he spins it, the kanji always changes, giving him a sort of endless roulette of possibilities. during the soul society arc, he faces off against an 11th division shinigami, and his ring lands on a face labeled "鱗", or scale (uroko), giving him protective scale-like armor.

when he spins the ring, he uses the phrase "let's play wani's fukuwarai", based on the children's game 'fukuwarai' which is a sort of pin the tail on the donkey type game in japan, but using facial features. i liked the idea of him equating his 'random generator' shapeshifting abilities with a random-chance game from his childhood.

he's trained in kendo; he uses a single shinai style, but always tried (and failed) to attempt the nito-ryu style of his teacher, kumori sora.

he tends to take leadership positions easily, but not because he necessarily wants them; he naturally gravitates towards checking up on others and making sure they're okay, but also able to do whatever they're best at, constantly trying to help people use their strengths but also weaknesses to their advantage.

kōsuke is autistic (audhd more specifically); he's generally very down to earth and can sometimes be sarcastic, but it's rare because more often than not he struggles with it. he can be really rigid when it comes to his schedules and routines and gets extremely frustrated if something unplanned gets in the way of them. if he gets overstimulated, he lashes out, showing more anger and frustration.

his texts are always deadpan, 100% of the time; it's anyone's guess if he's joking or serious but he'll never tell (it's part of the joke for him).

he struggles in school a lot; a big part of that is having issues with focusing, especially when he gets auditorily overstimulated. often times he'll resort to using sign language to communicate when he feels overstimulated both at school and at home just so he can have a little more quiet.

his favorite dish is jingisukan/genghis khan, a yakiniku/nabe fusion popular in hokkaido. he first tried it after one of his friends from school told him about trying it when they went to hokkaido on holiday, and there's even a place in naruki city run by a hokkaido native that sells it; it's his favorite place to hang out with friends whenever he gets a chance (even if he wants to go there any time of the year, even in the summer, much to everyone else's chagrin).

[ninjajustice]

Nito Ryu " two sword style school "

[notsoincog-nito-ryu]

It's been a while since the Scottish University Kendo Taikai, but it did indeed happen!

It was incredibly stressful to more-or-less be in charge of running an event like that, and a rude wake-up call to learn seminar and competition etiquette for the future!

Great results for Edinburgh University Kendo Club too!

I came Second 🥈, beaten by my Japanese Senpai! A really great kendoka! Super calm, really clean kendo, and sooo fast! (My first silver medal in kendo!)

Together, and with 3 others, we won the teams category, adding 5 more gold medals to the club collection!🥇 (My first gold medal in kendo!!! Although, I feel I was the team weak point! 😅)

In the end, the medals made up for the stress, and relentless planning, absolutely indispensable helpers, and hours of coding nearly fully automated spreadsheets paid off to create a smooth event!

[mysterymanjoseph]

A Strange, New World:  mysterymanjoseph and lustimpacted

To escape his new responsibilities, at least for a little while, of running his family’s corporation since his return from service in the Marine Corps, Joseph takes to hiking in the deep woods, as he is doing now.  Besides the rucksack with survival gear and food on his back, he is carrying two precious gifts, swords made for him by a master sword smith from Japan.  Joseph had saved the man’s grandson during a firefight in the Afghanistan mountains, and the old man had a vision apparently after being told the news, immediately starting to craft the blades from a lump of ore that had been passed down through the family line for a couple hundred years or so.  Supposedly, one of the ancestors had seen the ‘heart of a dying star’ fall to the ground, and picked it up, a keepsake that kept being passed down until present day.  Now, that ore is in the form of two blades, the longer named Twilight, the shorter Dawn, since that was the time of day each one was quenched, and ‘breathed life’ for the first time.  The swords are now in silk bags, held to the rucksack with tight straps as Joseph hikes alone.  The letter that came with the blades explained, that they were ‘alive’ and needed to breath fresh air from time to time.  Well, during his younger days, Joseph took martial arts, Kendo being one of them, so, swords are not exactly foreign to him.  He did study upon one particular type of style of swordsmanship from Japan, Nito Ryu style, develop by the legendary Miyamoto Musashi, reputed to be the greatest swordsman in Japanese history.  Out here, alone, Joseph will put Twilight and Dawn through their paces, in the morning.  Now, he is going to find a place to shelter from the storm that he sees coming from the distant horizon.  Finding a rock outcropping, he backs into it, puts on a rain poncho, cover himself and his blades completely.  He thinks, “Looks like I’m going to have to hunker down here for a little while.”

@lustimpacted

[itsmarjudgelove]

Genko Nito Ryu Kenjutsu

[yyumemika]

A Premature Burial Episode 1

A Premature Burial 

Episode 1

Season: Winter

Characters: Kuro, Nazuna, Mika

(The next day. Near the entrance to the residential area at Starmony Hall) 

Nazuna: Absolutely not… 

Kuro: Well how about this, can you just say yes anyways. I’ll bow my head and ask politely— No, aren’t we closer than that? 

Nazuna: Yeah. Usually I’m happy to hear out whatever Kuro-chin has to say but no means no. 

Kuro: Why? You’re not naive enough to be embarrassed about wearing eccentric costumes, are you, Nito? 

Nazuna: That’s true, but… 

Even though I’m an adult and starting to look like I'm turning 20, sometimes I look at myself in cute shorts and think ‘what am I doing’.

I can’t help it if that’s the kind of idol “Ra*bits” are, I agreed to that. 

Kuro: Oh, in that case…♪

Nazuna: You’ve got it all wrong! What upsets me is having to wear women’s clothes made by my friend Kuro-chin!? 

I said no! It makes me feel weird! 

Kurou: I-It’s not weird! Don’t say things that ruin my reputation! 

Why are you so reluctant about it? I’m only asking you to try on the costume I sewed for my little sister! 

Nazuna: Are you saying you don’t understand why that’s unnerving to ask of a guy who’s the same age as you~!? 

Isn’t your little sister still in elementary school or something? Sure, I’m known for being cute, but I’m a mature adult man you know~!? 

Kurou: It’s fine! Nito can do it! 

My sister is just like me, so she keeps getting taller and taller, and the costume might be too short, so Nito can wear it! 

I believe in you! Nito! 

Nazuna: I’d rather hear you say that in a completely different situation?! 

Right! I’m done talking! I’m uncomfortable so I’m going back to my own room! 

I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that as part of our friendship, so you should take a walk and clear your head too! 

Kuro: Don���t say that, I’m begging you, Nito~...

I’ve noticed my sister is getting really fashion-conscious recently, but all the clothes and accessories she wants are stupidly expensive.

With our economic situation getting out of hand, I just thought I’d sew them myself. That way it’ll be cheaper. 

But when it comes to clothes, you can’t tell if they're good or bad until you’re actually wearing them. So, please? You understand, don’t you Nito? 

I’m begging you… I have no other choice, Nito. 

I shouldn’t be saying this, but all of the ES idols are built well, with good proportions. Being so small makes you a valuable resource. 

The world might be wide, but the only person I know that can fit into an elementary school girl’s clothes properly— is Nito. 

Nazuna: Can’t you just buy a mannequin…? 

Kuro: Oh? I haven’t seen you like this in a while, your eyes are glazed over like glass balls.

Nazuna: I didn’t want my eyes to glaze over again like when I acted like a doll for “Valkyrie” during such a stupid scenario but… 

Mika: …! 

Kuro: Oof? Hey, look forward when you’re walking. Are you hurt? 

Mika: …

Kuro: Hey… Are you gonna bump into me without even saying hello? Did something happen, Kagehira? 

Mika: Nnah? Ah, sorry Ryu-kun-san? My mind’s gone all blank…! 

 Kuro: What’s the matter… Are you in trouble? I’ll listen if you need to talk?

Mika: Nnah? No no, I can’t bring Ryu-kun-san into this—

Ah, but Ryu-kun-san is Ryu-kun-san, right? 

Kuro: Ah? That’s what I was called as a kid, why are you using it now? Itsuki hasn’t called me that in a long time? 

Mika: Oh yeah! Ryu-kun-san is Oshisan’s childhood friend? That’s why it’s Ryu-kun-san, right? 

Kuro: I don’t see what you’re trying to say… Did something happen to Itsuki? 

[wingsfreedom]

AU, Samurai Azula. How she would look like and what Kenjutsu (art of the sword) she would use?

Firstly, I really like this semi-canon design by Ethan Spaulding, it stands well for a Samurai character design rather than a Firebender:

The more interesting question is what Azula's sword style would mainly be about?

By examining her firebending style in the series, Azula's style is more complex than the others confirmed by Sifu Kisu himself the Northern Shaolin and Chāquán (Islamic Long Fist) which are martial art styles counter one another (i.e in which you can say they're matches).

So by equivalize firebending to kenjutsu I think Niten Ichi Ryu school is the right answer. She would basically use a dual wielding of a long sword and a short one, the Nito Seiho; "two swords as one".

It's known for Samurais to carry two swords, both of them known as daishō (translated "big-little"). The shorter sword wakizashi is used in-doors, close-quarter combat and for ritual seppuku suicide or when the long sword katana is lost. [Photo of a man wielding both swords]

But Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's greatest Samurai, developed a style in which you can use both swords in battle. His mindset is similar to that of Azula; he was perusing invincibility and perfection, focuses on efficient movement and power, developing a subtle timing and distance to be removed from immediate danger while simultaneous creating an opening to strike the opponent.

He believes it's unworthy for the samurai to die with a sword still sheathed. Musashi claimed to have fought in more than 60 individual sword fights, many of which were to the death and he won all of them. He wrote a book on strategy in which he also examines the nature of combat and victory.

So, in such universe, I think Niten Ichi Ryu school would be a great influencer. There are 5 more styles but the above sword style is the most special.