Welcome to this fifth episode of Liomugai, the podcast hosted by Lionel Reynaud and dedicated to the way of the sword, the spirit of Budo, and Japanese culture.
In this episode, we set out to discover two neighboring sites deeply united by history, but also by a powerful spiritual charge: the city of Hiroshima and the sacred island of Miyajima. More than just a travelogue, we explore these places through the martial lens and the philosophy of Budo.
In Hiroshima, we dive into the heart of human resilience in the face of the 1945 destruction. From the Atomic Bomb Dome to Hiroshima Castle and its surviving trees (the eucalyptus and the willow, true embodiments of the unshakeable samurai spirit), the city offers us a masterful lesson on the concept of Katsujinken — the \"life-giving sword.\" This foundational principle reminds us that the ultimate mastery of martial arts does not aim for conflict, but for the preservation of peace.
We then cross the bay to reach Miyajima (\"the shrine island\"). There, we discover the history of its famous floating torii gate, its Shinto shrine shaped by the warrior Taira no Kiyomori, as well as the peaks of Mount Misen, a Buddhist cradle founded by the monk Kukai (Kōbō Daishi) in 806. You will learn how Miyajima's thousand-year-old sacred fire continues to burn today in the heart of Hiroshima, fueling the Flame of Peace.
At the end of the episode: For travelers short on time, I share my express two-day itinerary to visit these two locations optimally—a journey built on the essential rhythm of martial arts: Jo-Ha-Kyū (the beginning, the break, and the final acceleration).
👉 To learn more: Find the articles related to this episode, historical details on Hiroshima Castle, and deepen your knowledge of katas and Battodo on the official website: https://liomugai.com. Feel free to leave a comment to share your thoughts!