Bujutsu: The form and the spirit of the gods The parent of Izu and Mizu So precious!
Put the active principle (yo) into the right hand Turn the left into the passive (in) And so guide the adversary.
By means of the way Call out the misguided enemy Advance and persuade him with words of instruction Through the Sword of Love.
Enlightenment or delusion? Who is to say which person has which Like the evening moon they appear and fade Not one knows exactly when.
The Way of the Gods! Give in to the life of the Universe of Heaven and Earth Thus draw nearer and nearer To a spirit who serves the Godhead.
To see the true things Harmonize the voice with shouts "Yah" Never be drawn into the rhythm of the enemy.
I stand in the mountain stream So pure! The splashing sound of water against the stone Yet where is the person Who with such purity can speak (of the Way).
Watch not his flashing blade Nothing can be seen there His fists will reveal where he intends to cut.
Causing the perverted enemy to attack I must then stand behind his form And so cut the enemy down.
It is sincerity! First cultivate sincerity with all your heart So realize this truth The World of Reality and the World of Appearance are One.
Whenever I seem to confront Another dead end on my path That precious way of Izu and Mizu I bring to mind once more.
Should you lose the Way Without a doubt you will enter an "evil path" Give no reign to the spiritual horse.
In a forest of the enemy's spears Surrounded! Then realize that those very spearheads Are your very shield.
A person who In any situation Perceives the truth with resignation Would never need to draw his sword in haste.
Pour your spirit and heart Into daily technical training To approach the many through a single principle This is "The Way of the Fighting Man".
The enemy comes running in to strike At the instant of the attack Avoid his strike with one step And counter attack in that instant
To see the true things Harmonize with the voice which shouts, "Yah" Never be drawn into the rhythm of the enemy.
With "Eiii" cut him down! That enemy that lurks within Instruct him with "Yah" Guide him with "Toh."
First master the techniques of Aiki The way of the Gods Then no enemy will ever attack.
His sword raised to the attack The enemy flies at the man he thinks before him But from the very start I was standing behind him.
"To command the forest of enemy blades arrayed before you Know that the enemy's spirit mind is your shield."
Rip away from your soul The shabby rags it wears Open the way to Heavens destiny So let it shine!
When you assume chudan Move the enemy's spirit into the midst And grasp the rhythm in the same fist.
Even through surrounded by a great number of enemy View them as one person And so fight on!
The enemy may assume gedan But stay as you are in chudan Move your blade neither up nor down.
If you wish to weaken The enemy's sword Move first, fly in and cut!
Though the enemy's spears and buts are before you and behind With their very weapons as your shield You must cut in and gain victory.
Without the slightest opening Nor the least thought of the enemy And his encircling swords Step in and cut!
The rays of the rising sun flow in My mind is clear Going to the window, I run about the Heavens Shining like the dawn.
Stand with the "First-moving Sword" held in the heavens Close quickly and release your strike Cutting diagonally.
Even the most powerful human being has a limited sphere of strength. Draw him outside of that sphere and into your own, and his strength will dissipate.
"You must realize this! Aiki cannot be captured with the brush Nor can it be expressed with the mouth And so it is that one must proceed to realization."
In Jodan Your every self must become jodan Then in that way The attacking spear can be crushed Victory will be yours.
The rays of the rising sun flow in My mind is clear Going to the window, I run about the Heavens Shining like the dawn.
Left and Right Cut or parry Discard all thought of them The human spirit must rush instantly in!
Assume gedan and see The spirit of the positive (yo) as in shadow (in) Recognize the cuts and thrusts of the enemy's blade As merely seigan
Mobilize all (your) powers through Aiki Build a beautiful world And a secure peace
Though you may train In this sword work or in that What will it mean Unless you do your utmost
Speeding down from Heaven The God of Light descends Illuminating all the world Even to the bottom of the seas.
Reflecting through the Heavens All darkness is made light Descending, the vastness of the great sea Is filled with the voices of Joy.
Deep in the glow of Izu Which Shines in the Heavens above There is the reverberating sound Of the King of the Eight Powers
Blend with (ki-musubi) the Universe of Heaven and Earth (tenchi) Stand in the center (of all) In your heart take up the stance Of "The Way of the Mountain Echo."
The spiritual essence of the Heavens and Earth Congealing becomes the Way of the Cross-Shape Harmony and Joy make up the Floating Bridge That binds this world together.
This world is built up Of living-life (iki-inochi) of the breath of life (iki-inichi) and the saving power of the Universal (iki-inochi) All spinning and flourishing The jewel-like Aiki of the Spirit (tama-no-aiki).
Izu! By ritual purify, wash clean the sole. The true form of the All-pervasive Universal Principle cries out (Izu-no-mitama) In the midst of the Light courageously With martial valor does it howl.
Shining and echoing is the kotodama An honored form of the Holy Parent That single, spiritual origin (of all that is).
Since Ancient days The virtues of training in the Two Ways Both of the Sword and of the Pen Has brought realization in the body and in the sole.
The techniques of Aiki Follow the Principles of Kusanaqi Thus they protect the Way of the Buddhas, the (Shinto) gods, And this world of manifestations.
The form and beauty that is the world of Heaven and Earth Has become one family.
At the beginning of the world There came from the Heavens The Curved Stone, the Mirror and the Sword To build up a nation.
At the beginning of the time "Bu" came down from the Heavens To serve the defense of the land So says the Emperor's sacred voice.
Even when a single enemy has called you out Be on your best guard An entire host of the foe Is on your left, right, in front and behind.
Aiki! The root of the power of love A love that must grow ever broader.
Aiki cannot be captured with the brush Nor can it be expressed with the mouth And so it is that one must proceed to realization (satori).
Aiki! A way so difficult to analyse (But one needs only to) follow The natural rotations of the Heavens.
You must realize this! Aiki can not be captured with the brush Nor can it be expressed with the mouth And so it is that one must proceed to realization (satori).
