Saigo Tanomo
Legend, Faith, and perseverance. "
By: Max Roy Fernández RodrÃguez.
This excellent teacher of the sixth generation descendant of Emperor Seiwa (Seiwa Tenno). He was also known as: Chikanori Genzo (Hoshina Genshi) who was a leading strategist, advisor and grand master of martial arts in the Aizu Clan (in Aizu Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture) was born in the family Kikuchi 1829, in Kyushu and died in 1905.
studied the secret art of "In Yo Ho" (method of "Yin Yang," associated with the strategies of Aiki, a unified system of vital energies through breathing control to counteract any opponent attacks leveraging the strength and aggression of the latter), his teacher Soemon Takeda (1758 - 1853).
was also a connoisseur of swordsmanship known as Misoguchi Koshu Ryu and Ryu, among other styles of martial arts related to the vast array studying this so-called samurai clan. Saigo
Tanomo, made an arduous and meritorious work to write new scripts, named "Makimono," after reviewing the older ones, which gave copies to the families of the main "Hatamoto" (Samurai high rank and importance) of Aizu Han
The life of this cult and important teacher of Art Oshiki Uchi, is colored by events of great historical and legendary episodes, but to see, marked by painful aspects, such as misunderstanding that had of his great vision, when he advised Lord Matsudaira of the imminent destruction of the Aizu clan and the possible strategy to avoid massive bloodshed, if valued not confront the imperial forces and allied clans are numbered. Otherwise, as eventually happened, he tried to see that this would bring the opposition to the changes proposed by the Emperor during the "Meiji Restoration" and would lead to genocide, for families of the clan and thus the loss of their genealogy. Unfortunately his wise advice went unheeded, and he was unfairly branded a traitor and almost sent to Hokkaido to meet a given mission.
What happened next was something "heroic," but at the same time terribly unnecessary. Finally, "The Aizu Clan" fell under the military potential of the firearms used by the imperial government, after a bloody battle, due to its high resistance.
Tanomo Saigo's family, believing that this was dead and likewise uphold the principles and ideals of its traditional codes, which in his view would be abolished and sullied by the new changes that are predicted by the nascent government, committed ritual suicide (SEPUKU) by a method known as "Harakiri." Among them were his mother, his wife, five daughters and fourteen other members family.
On his return from his mission, Saigo Tanomo is between chaos and loneliness, but with a selfless spirit, stands to this painful event and becomes a Shinto priest, changing its name to Genshin Hoshina. He then begins to reside in the temple of "Tsutsukuwake," in Fukushima. It is here that he perseveres and is dedicated to collect all the documents the legacy of the Clan, including a large number Uchi Oshiki of techniques, very well organized, (similar to those that were taught, much later by Takeda Sokaku. From which attest to the manuscripts belonging to Haginojo Akihiro Shiota, grandfather of Saigo Tanomo) It is in these times he child decides to adopt as Shida Shiro (1863 - 1922), later known as Shiro Saigo, to teach the art of Oshiki Uchi and preserve the tradition of it. Unfortunately
Shiro, leaves this purpose for some time, and joins the emerging "Kodokan Judo," which was already developing the master Jigoro Kano, the founder. Saigo Shiro reputation gives the Kodokan Judo, beating at all clashes with other schools of Jujutsu, their opponents with great skill, in which he used variations of techniques, Saigo Tanomo his father had taught him, for example, the famous "Yama Arashi (Storm on the mountain). This was reflected in the novel "Judo Saga" which perpetuates the life of Shiro, who is known as Sanshiro Sugata. "
Establishing an explanatory parenthesis, it is very important to explain that Tanomo Saigo taught prior to these events , many people, descendants of the families of the clan, and personal friends of him than unjust accusations, were expelled before the fall Aizu domain, and these were kept in complete privacy with new identities, teaching the martial traditions of Oshiki Ushi, only his closest relatives, after settling in other areas of Japan, as in the case of Yasuhiro Ichikawa, Hanmura Iezuke , Hanmura Morimasa, Taro Shima, among other personalities who led and gave rise to what is now a private organization called "Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu Ryu Saigo has Rengokai Ko" and others that ultimately did not join, or are currently related to this. This is recorded in the collected letters of these families, but not in the public domain. In these letters also speak of the intimate relations of friendship and Saigo Tanomo and considerable technical knowledge and impeccable Saigo had on Oshiki Uchi). Again
mission Tanomo teacher seemed diluted, but in 1876, he met Takeda Sokaku in the temple Tsutsukowake. The young and impetuous Sokaku, was grandson who was his teacher (Soemon Takeda) and the same, for a time after the primary encounter, became one of his main students and "Chuko not So" or the restorer and main bridge between the two periods, the ancient and modern, which allowed the ancient legacy of the Aizu Clan persists. Saigo
Tanomo, recommended Sokaku Takeda, teaching public art, even to non-descendants of the Aizu clan, therefore, is Saigo Tanomo deserves full recognition for the effort and the transcendent success in the dissemination and preservation of art Oshiki Uchi, now well known as Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu .
is worth noting the interesting and beautiful legacy ethical and philosophical Tanomo Saigo left for subsequent generations of teachers and students of the noble art of Daito Ryu. His high spirit of perseverance, discipline, compassion and love of peace, and kept alive in contemporary organizations are imparting wisdom teachings. He never failed to establish as a main rule for their students, maintaining a strict parallelism between "education and knowledge of rules of conduct and etiquette and appearance Oshiki combative Uchi (Daito Ryu).
He is attributed phrases such as:
"Knowledge creates humility is part of wisdom. Modestly maintained skills are part of Honor. Knowledge and skills that promote arrogance are part of stupidity. "
" If a man admits that harmony and peace are your goals, believe in your wisdom. If the disdain, believed only in his fear. "
" When searching for a man to teach him the art of war, choose the one who most loves peace. "
is enough, here is summed up his whole personality. He Tanomo Saigo, was and still is a paradigm to follow for any generation of people traveling, correctly, the "Way of the Martial Arts," and more, for those who still have not found it, for he is a immaculate example, noble warrior, a man sensitive, intellectual and very wise teacher, characteristics such that in the days that pass, are emerging eminently necessary for each individual, much more, when the treachery, disloyalty, cynicism, the social envy and hatred, prey of the soul of men and sets out excessively, manifesting in the most mundane daily abuses against human integrity, reflected in the wars and socio-political conflicts.
For this reason, too many explanations. It requires a call to reflection for the study of life, conduct and work of men like him.
We for our part we say in honor to his memory: Master Saigo Tanomo-soke, your name will not be forgotten or stained as long as love and compassion in us, you understand. Alive in the memory of the new generation of Budokas who faithfully follow the legacy of the Aizu Han, for despite the turbulent and difficult times through which passes the Bujutsu and Budo, to remain in effect the message knew you wisely left to the future of Daito Ryu: "When you hit the current of a river flowing there is no trace of water."
NOTE: This paper belongs to the Cuban Association of Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu Ryu Ko-Saigo has to study and dissemination of this martial art traditions.
0 comments:
Post a Comment