"Gokui no Ji"
Gokui no ji" is the name given to this page.
The "gokui" are "the secrets of an art, the secret principles or the mysteries".
"Ji" are "poems". Some kanji presented here, have a special meaning or principle to it that we try to explain or translate. Most of them have a deeper meaning that is not easy to explain(, take the "nin" character for example). We hope, however, you will enjoy them.
The kanji on the left read:
"Chihayafuru kami no oshie wa tokoshie ni tadashiki kokoro mio mamoruran"
It translates that "if one has a pure heart, the gods will grant a happy life".
This poem is recited in class by Soke and other Japanese teachers
before saying the "Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo".
The kanji on the right read:
"Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo"
It generally translates that "we seek to behold the 'great light' or enlightenment".
When provided with a more detailed translation I will correct the one here.
The kanji above are pronounced "bujin". The "bu" or "mu" part meaning "martial". The "jin" or "shin" part meaning "kami" or "god". It is the name given by Soke to the organisation now known as the Bujinkan in honour of Takamatsu sensei. They were presented to Leen Stam by Soke (Hisamune) in 1997.
The kanji above are pronounced "biken" and translate as "secret sword".
They were presented to Leen Stam by Soke (then Tetsuzan) in August of 1993
The above kanji were sent to Marco Verheij by Soke (Hisamune) in 1997. They are pronounced "rounen". They mean "old (advanced)age, the winter (evening) of life".
The above kanji were given to Marco Verheij by Soke (Hisamune) at the Stockholm Taikai in 1998 after Marco passed the Godan Test. They are pronounced "godan" (right to left). They mean "level of enlightenment". It also says Holland on in because it was the paper that was used to order the groups for taking pictures with Soke.
The kanji above kan be devided in two:
1. the upper part: "zanshin" which translates as "remaining spirit", these kanji can be found in many martial arts it should be the feeling that remains, a certain awareness.
2. the lower part "nin" which has many translations the ones commonly used are: "endurance, concealment or secrecy".
They were presented by Mr.Manaka (then Oko) to Leen Stam in 1994.
The above kanji are pronounced "ninpo ikkan" they were presented to Leen Stam by Mr.Manaka (then Oko) in August 1993, they were also presented to Marco Verheij (as can be seen on the budo-links page). The kanji for ninpo have the feeling of "the way, the method or the principles" of "endurance, concealment or secrecy". As most people in the Bujinkan know 'ninpo' is not easy to translate, this is why it is here called 'a feeling of'. Ikkan would mean "consistency or coherence".
The kanji above is pronounced "kagami". Its meaning is "mirror". The word kagami also has a different kanji which means: to take warning or learn a lesson from. If we take the 'ga' (self, ego) out of the word kagami we end up having the word "kami" which is god. This verbal 'gokui' was passed on by Mr.Shiraishi. (The kanji was provided by Scott Robbins.)
The ninja of old would write this 'gokui' originally with different kanji. The kanji that were originally used would pronounce "kanjin-kanme" but would translate as "most important point". The meaning behind it would be the meaning of the kanji seen above which is "mind of god, eyes of god". Nothing surprises the eyes and mind of god. It is a state in which you have a very light heart, you do not concentrate on anything. This gokui was taught by Mr.Nagase. (Kanji provided by Scott Robbins.)
The first two kanji on the left are pronounced "ningen" and translate as "human being". The kanji on the right pronounces "kami" which means "god". Mr.Nagase put these kanji on the blackboard and said that there should be no distance("aida"- the middle kanji means distance or space) between man and god. (Kanji provided by Scott Robbins.)
More 'gokui no ji' or ninja poems and other kanji, put on paper by Soke or other teachers, will follow together with their translations.
To contribute one; send the picture to Marco Verheij. Your picture will then be translated (if possible) and be placed here with its 'story'. Many thanks to Scott Robbins who provided me with the kanji I needed, within the hour!
for comments or questions, mail;
Marco Verheij