Ai-nuke: Legacy of the Mujushinken ryu

For most swordsmen there are only 3 possible outcomes in a swordfight. 1. To be struck down by a stronger opponent. 2. To strike down a weaker opponent. 3. To be mutually struck down with an opponent of equal strength, this is called ai-uchi. There is an alternative to this called ai-nuke, which means mutually passing by. The man who came up with this concept was Harigaya Sekiun, founder of the Mujushinken ryu. Sekiun was the student of Ogasawara Genshin. Genshin learned the Shinkage ryu from Kamizumi Ise no Kami, he then traveled to China and returned to Japan with a technique called hassun no nobegane. This technique involved the storing of ki in the hara, projecting it through the sword, out the tip and into the opponent’s space. This was a mental technique that gave Genshin the edge in all his subsequent matches after his return to Japan. Sekiun was unsatisfied with all he learned from Genshin and turned to Zen in order to breakthrough what he called chikusho heiho, beastly tactics. Sekiun practiced Zen in Kyoto at Tofukuji under the retired abbot Kohaku. After experiencing enlightenment, Sekiun had a match with Genshin and won, he then founded the Mujushinken ryu.

Those familiar with the anime Samurai Champloo will recognize the Mujushinken ryu as Jin’s sword style. His master was the real life 3rd and last master of the Mujushinken ryu, Mariya Enshiro. The 2nd master of the Mujushinken ryu, Odagiri Ichiun, wrote extensively on his ryu, it is thanks to him that we still have the concept of ai-nuke, even though his style was lost to history. Ichiun’s primary instruction to his students was the following, “When armed with a sword and confronting an enemy, if the distance is too far, advance and strike. When the distance is correct, strike where you are. There is no need to think. With most swordsmen, things are different. Their mind busily works away on how best to use every tactic they’ve learned. They have no concept of Heavenly Reason or its function under the myriad of conditions. It is a great mistake to anticipate the outcome of the duel, don’t think of victory or defeat. Allow nature to take its course, and one’s sword will strike at the right moment.”

Sekiun believed that the way to ai-nuke was ai-uchi. He believed that swordsmen should completely dedicate themselves to ai-uchi for the beginning of their training. Ichiun wrote the following, “The concept of ai-uchi probably won’t seem hard at the start. However, as the contest continues the hope of victory is sure to arise. This is what interferes with Heavenly Reason. This is the time to reflect ‘How is it that I have become double minded? I begin determined to end the contest with an ai-uchi, but then I waver, hoping for victory.’ It will take years to find one’s way out of this dilemma, and have an insight into Heavenly Reason, that is always quiet, unmoved and unchanging, because of this it acts in infinite ways and is beyond conscience thought.” Ai-nuke could be considered to be the ultimate goal of Budo. When true masters confront one another there can be only one outcome, ai-nuke, both having the respect for each other and for life in general, to exit the contest unscathed.