In this article we are going to take a close look at another of the virtues of Bushido. Something everybody wants and strives to obtain mostly by wrong means resulting in just the opposite.

I am talking about Rei (respect). Being respected oneself is a highly appraised virtue that not so many people nowadays achieve. 99% of the worlds population want to be respected and try to obtain this respect by different means like: buying it, enforcing it, begging for it but all of these means lead to the contrary. When we buy respect we will only have respect until the money is gone. When enforcing it the respect will have the face of fear and when begging we will be considered pitiful and loose all the respect we might have had.

A person is respected for his actions. This was true for the bushi of old and is equally true for the modern day bugei practitioner. There is an old Japanese saying that goes: “ One should always genteel in his speaking. A man shows his inmost self by only a single word”.

This is very true. How many times we encountered a person on the street, in a park, in a corporate meeting, etc…dressed in a 3 piece suit, who when opening his mouth resembled a garbage can? Insults, criticism and the like are telling more about yourself than it says about the person you insult. Your insults and criticism are based on your perception of this person and therefore subjective but they are a true reflection of your inner kamae, your posture inside.

Therefore we should reflect upon ourselves and evaluate the way we apply Rei in our life’s towards others. The Japanese bushi showed respect even towards their greatest of enemies and allowed them to commit seppuku and die with honour. If they could respect in such a way we too should make an effort in respecting others even though we don’t agree with them. Respect doesn’t mean we must agree with everything they tell us. On the contrary, it means standing for what we believe in with an open mind, ready to accept other peoples opinion if they prove right.

Only be being firm and acting correctly and in a coherent way we will receive respect from others. This has nothing to do with being powerful or highly skilled.

How does this translate to the Koryu Dojo?

The same way it does to normal life. By training and teaching in a coherent way. Accepting as instructors we don’t know everything and admitting it when a student asks for something we don’t know.

Helping our kohai in an efficient way without ridiculing them. Accepting the advice of Sempai without discussion. And off course following the rules of conduct to the letter. But this is not enough. I have seen students doing all of this and nevertheless they were respected but only to a limited amount. I think the most important thing to do to acquire respect is by doing whatever you do with a flower heart. Giving al you have to whoever wants to accept it and never be content with your own efforts. Strive to be more and along the way help others finding the same inspiration. I think this is the true way to respect.

The ultimate sign of respect is obtaining the honourable position of shihan. Shihan means example. A person who has reached such a high level of technical, mental and spiritual development that he is considered an example and inspiration for all others. In the Genbukan and KJJR dojos this level is obtained after completing the appropriate test when having reached the level of 7th dan. This test is conducted by Tanemura Sensei only and in private.

The examinee enters in a private room or dojo and will sit in seiza in the centre of the dojo. Soke will enter silently holding a true life blade (shinken) With no ki or kiai he will attack vertically and then horizontally to the head of the pupil. If he escapes without injury this person will be awarded the title of shihan. This is the level of the true master or shinan yaku.

To get to this level many years of hard work are required and many hardships to be suffered. But at the end you will be a highly respected master. Through the virtues of Kajo Waraku, and Kajo Chikusei every true deshi can acquire this level.