Discover how the deadly art of Japanese swordsmanship met the ultimate spiritual quest. In this episode, we travel to the pacified Japan of the Edo period following the footsteps of Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi, a formidable swordsman turned Zen monk, and the founder of the Mugai-ryū sword school.
How does a warrior achieve enlightenment? We retrace his spiritual retreat at the Kyūko-ji Zen temple in the Azabu district of Edo, where he studied diligently for nearly 19 years under the guidance of masters Sekitan and Kanshu. We recount the pivotal moment when, at the age of 45, he attained satori (enlightenment) and received a poem from his master containing the verse \"Ippo jitsu mugai\" (There is nothing outside of the One Truth). This revelation would give both its name and its core philosophy to his martial art.
This episode is also a deep dive into the history and foundations of Zen Buddhism. We decode its philosophy of the present moment and seated meditation (zazen), with a special focus on the rigorous Rinzai branch. Introduced to Japan by the monk Eisai at the end of the 12th century (1191), this school became prominent among the samurai class by balancing physical work, meditation, and the study of kōans (paradoxes aimed at breaking intellectual logic and ego).
Prepare to discover how the sword and Zen merge through the concept of Ken Zen Ichi Nyo (The Sword and Zen are One), reminding us that true victory is not found in defeating an opponent, but in cutting down one's own delusions, fears, and ego.
In this episode:
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