hello I just wanted to introduce myself

I'm Jonathan and I decided to join this group because of a recently
developing interest of mine in Feudal Japan and the Samurai. I guess
my most recent re-reading of James Clavell's Shogun did it. Third
times the charm.
I don't have much in the way of expertise, only a desire to learn
more. I am interested especially in the Tokugawa Bakufu since that
seems to have been th pinacle of Samurai power in Japan (at least I
have been lead to believe that), but I also wish to learn about the
other Bakufus and about Japanese mythology and its links to Shinto
and Buddhism.

Jonathan welcome,
I gotr into the site first because of my interest in the martial arts and the
warriors code, I'm now studying the ancient samurai forms of un-armed self
defense, the 1,000 year old to todays jiu jitsu, judo and aikido. Any
questions let me know and you should try to down load the Hagakure, code of
the samuirai, its a great book with many insights. I have to go , I have
judo this morn. zenlex.

Hi Zenlex,
Regarding the reply that stated that "I am studying the 1,000 years old to
today's Jiu jitsu, Judo, and Aikido"...
I hate to put a dampener on things but it is highly unlikely that you are
studying any Ryu-ha that is this old..Unless you happen to be a Deshi in the
Sho Sho Ryu which claims descent from Fujiwara Kamatari..And even this is
dubious.
The oldest PROVEN Ryu-ha that is currently extant is the Tenshin Shoden
Katori Shinto Ryu (from the 14th century)....And the oldest PROVEN Ryu-ha for
primarily Jujutsu techniques is the Takenouchi Ryu..Regarding Judo and
Aikido, BOTH of these are Gendai Budo and little more than 150 years old at
the most..Although Aikido can claim descent back to around the 16th century
through the links with the Daito Ryu..again..Dubious.
As I said I do not want to put you off training...That is always good to
hear..Only please check that what you describe is correct and not simply the
'advertising' that many ryu now use to attract trainees..It puts a mark on
the reat of the Budo of Japan and helps to attract the glory hunters more
than it should..Helping no one.
Abayo.

Thanks for the warm welcome.
I'd like to download the Hagakure that you spoke of. What is the web
address for it? Thanks.
Jonathan

--- In samuraihistory@y..., zenlex38@a... wrote:
> Jonathan welcome,
> I gotr into the site first because of my interest in the martial
arts and the
> warriors code, I'm now studying the ancient samurai forms of un-
armed self
> defense, the 1,000 year old to todays jiu jitsu, judo and aikido.
Any
> questions let me know and you should try to down load the Hagakure,
code of
> the samuirai, its a great book with many insights. I have to go ,
I have
> judo this morn. zenlex.