Anderson Bushi Kai
Freestyle Martial Arts
ABK Senjo Ceremony
Senjo is a battlefield strategy taken from the writings of Musashi and the Book of Five Rings.
Anderson Bushi Kai (ABK) uses the strategy as a concept for the personal development of student character. Each position denoted on the battlefield represents a different personality or character trait. These traits we may already possess, or may be ideals we wish to develop.
The position of Shogun comprises all the colours mixed together. This position is the pinnacle of student achievement. It represents mastery of the self and surroundings. At either side of the Shogun is the first and second house - named this way from Japanese history. The Shogun's closest generals resided in these houses depending on who was first or second in line of succession.
Forming a triangle around The Shogun are three pivotal warriors:
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Yamabushi (Spiritual - Mountain Ascetic)
For senjo this is the self-controlled person at the front left of the triangle, represented by the colour blue.
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Hatamoto (most trusted vassal)
This person is the Shogun's most trusted person. At the apex of the triangle immediately behind the Shogun and represented by the colour yellow. Those who follow this path are revered as loyal and trustworthy.
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Yakuza (fighting warrior)
The person with the most aggressive personality and fighting skill represented by the colour red.
The primary colours in the triangle form the basis for the other colours, and hence the character traits of the Senjo. Circling the triangle are eight essential character traits of the samurai warrior:
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Reishiki (etiquette)
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Kokkishin (self control)
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Kandai (benevolence)
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Seijitsu (truth)
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Chuujitsu (loyalty)
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Meiyo (honour)
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Adashi-koto (justice)
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Yuuki (courage)
Etheral
The term "Etheral" (or "Ethereal") within Anderson Bushi Kai is an extremely high level of understanding and is the advancement from the Battlefield Strategy of Senjo.
The word etheral in English terminology has a number of simple meanings, but its influence within ABK reaches far beyond those meanings. Simply put, it's the principles which have been derived from the methodology and manifestation of conceptual thought within the physical, mental and spiritual (body, mind and soul) realms.
The Etherals are the counsel in preventing mayhem and disorder.
Shinden Tony Mitchell - 'Seito' bringer of life
Ethereal title: Seito - Sei meaning life, To meaning people.
I bring life to people through the art of Tea or Chado.
Through my practice and meditation of Chanoyu, I offer the ABK warrior a structured and balanced approach to life, by awareness of self. Esho funi is a Buddhist concept meaning oneness of yourself and your environment. This concept illustrates the fact that separation is an illusion, our inner life and exterior world are one and the same.
"When using your right hand remember to have your mind on your left hand"
In Chanoyu terms, when you hold the tea scoop in your right hand and take the tea container in your left hand, your right hand is quickly positioned to scoop the tea.
In other words, it is the Twin Sword stance hence there is no moment of being off guard in the Temae, and no moment in which the Temae is slack.
This verse teaches about the state of mental preparedness which is absolutely vital.
This is the Seito - Kaicho Tony Mitchell
Kaicho Sarah Anderson (Head Ethereal) - 'Valkyrie' - Clarity within the Path of Bushido
In times of the Norse, the Valkyries watched over the warriors on the battlefield within the physical and the spiritual realms.
As the crows travel between the realms, I hear the whispers on the wind.
In seeking your truth I see beyond the shadows of your mind, for I am the Valkyrie.
Kaicho Glen Archer - 'Horagai' The Conch
I am the Horagai, I am the siren, sound and signal that says "Arise, it is time".
I listen to the void divining agenda and conveying intent, I am the Etheral connection from one spirit to another.
Before the Senjo, through the Ether I called you here, during Senjo I call the atmos, time and tide.
At Senjo's end I will send you out. When you lack direction listen for me.
I am the Horagai.
Kaicho John Core - 'Guardian of Time'
I am the Guardian of Time with omnipotence over all the past, present and future. For it is within time that evolution occurs. This is where we strive to be better tomorrow than we had been yesterday and today.
Kaicho Steve Robinson - 'Pathfinder'
Kaicho Craig Pratt - 'Seraphim'
Hanshi David Banham - 'The Pillar'
Hanshi Alan Stevenson - ( Persona to be advised )
Kokoro and Okokoro
Many martial arts styles don't develop their higher ranks beyond the physical, yet the biggest battles you will have in life will be the battlefield of your own fragility and the demons within. This is why we are developing higher ranks within our ABK system to have a strong body, mind, spirit, and essence.
The journey quest is a way of life strengthened and enriched through martial arts.
Kokoro
Kokoro is the higher-level order of Ethereal. This level in ABK is only attained by those Grand Masters who have given a lifetime to our martial arts style developing their warrior persona, spiritual armour and soul exploration for their true essence. With 40 years of experience they are black belts of 8th or 9th dan level.
Ranks are attained through grading or achievement. They are earned, not given.
Whilst a layman explanation of Kokoro is to say it gets to the heart of things, the warrior spirit knows it is much more than this. It is impossible to know another's Kokoro by looking at them as it cannot be seen or touched. It is hidden in the invisible, in the ether, but it seeds the outside world through intent, energy, light, shadow, creation and intellect transcending thought being the pre-cognition of action and outcome.
The principle of Kokoro is the inner centering of essence, merging the Etheral entities and weaving consciousness through chakra levels. It is a manifestation of the conjuring, evoking and invoking - the stuff of future dreams and enlightenment.
Kokoro is separate but the same, it is universal but unique, always the same but eternally different. The Zen psyche electric and anima awakened linking past with future, intent with purpose, life spark with truth. A bond between worlds internal and existential, known and unknown.
It is an ideal for a way of life using the human imagination and will seeking to to express an absolute truth about life and the innermost nature of things.
The divine heart of our warrior style.
Okaicho Warren Stumer - Sleipnir
Okokoro
Okokoro is an advanced position within ABK, recognising the attainment of passing through Senjo, Ethereal, Shaman and Kokoro levels. It is the right hand of the Golden Temple - Oshinden Malcolm Anderson.
Okokoro is the realm beyond Kokoro. It is the only path between Ethereal and Temple. It is simultaneously all Kokoro but at the same time it is not any single one of them. It is a changing, orchestrating the melding of opportunities and guardian of our foundation. It sees the seers, speaks to the oracles, guides the dreamers and inspires the creators. The source of great awakenings.
Okokoro resonates vibration and is the whisperer to the blacksmith of the undrawn sword. Moon on water and the sun at dawn Okokoro is strong and ever-present in guiding the warrior to become his potentialities and activate his gifts.