Shibui (渋い) (adjective), shibumi (渋み) (noun), or shibusa (渋さ) (noun) are Japanese words which refer to a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty. Okay, so here’s my thoughts on this… In this world that has some much bling and flash in pretty much everything you see, it can be difficult to “see” the […]

Shibui (渋い) (adjective), shibumi (渋み) (noun), or shibusa (渋さ) (noun) are Japanese words which refer to a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty. How big is your house? How fancy is your car? What labels are in your clothes? What do you want to add to your life? Another one to ponder for […]

Giri (義理?)[1]:95[2] is a Japanese value roughly corresponding to “duty”, “obligation”, or even “burden of obligation” in English. It is defined as “to serve one’s superiors with a self-sacrificing devotion” by Namiko Abe. Who is your duty to? Who do you serve? Is your job “work” or a way for your to serve others? Something […]

Experiences from the 2012 Haidong Gumdo World Championships by the rookie Minnesota contingent. The whole adventure started in March 2012 during the Master’s training workshop (and student seminar) held in Minnesota. The announcement made was accompanied with World Championship posters that were signed by Kwanjangnim Kim, Jeong Woo, the Director of Education for the World […]

Over the past month or so, I’ve realized that my training journal has been sadly lacking entries. I’ve decided to work on it here because I can regularly get onto the blog to write something. Sorry, but you’ll be subjected to my additional ramblings…which I hope to gain deeper insights into my thoughts by getting […]

While not truly a revelation last night, but its fun when the words come around to help explain things better. This one involves connecting the basics to your poomsae/gumbub (forms). During a class being covered by a Black belt (because I was in South Korea), the extra comments made during a drill were something like […]