It is said that the original Turul wasn’t only fierce, but caring. Back in the time when he rised as the symbol of the magyar he embodied many things, as national heroes do. Of course, he was as brave as any hero should be. Of course he defended his people against their enemies, as any hero should do. But he also announced the birth of Almos, son of queen Emese; to further protect him in his youth. Perhaps only true warriors are also true care givers, or perhaps this is but a mistery, a riddle coming to us from a… Read More »Brother Turul

After a long and productive tiger life, Uncle retired. He took time to write his own memories, published and read by many in the website of the clan. He travelled to his teachers one more time, enjoying again their land and its pace, their talk and what was to be learn from it, always something to be learn. In the blink of an eye, though, he was back at the flatlands, at his own land and home. What now? many asked. What does a retired tiger do? Does he become some sort of wise old man, ready to impart philosophical… Read More »Uncle Tiger

When we think in chameleons, we think in tricksters, in deception and subterfuge. Our associations are not surprising, because whoever is seen by the unique eyes of a chameleon knows that he is being really observed, beyond whatever we think as normal. A chameleon has to observe better than anybody else, since to become something we need to see it first. We think that chameleons are disguise artists, but they really are the ultimate observers. So our brother Chameleon. At first sight he would pass unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of our dojo. Unassuming, quiet, mostly reflective, he would… Read More »Brother Chameleon

Brother Íbice opened the door to his house, and we walked in. Quite some years ago, hiking in a mountain range in the center of Spain, we were visited by a group of Íbices. I still remember the expression of their eyes, strange as the eyes of every other animal different than ourselves, and yet amused at our presence in their mountain. Most encounters in the wild are, at least to me, tingled with fear. It is pretty much obvious that you are the intruder, wandering from the city into the land of others. What will they do? Will they… Read More »Brother Íbice

The life’s of the dolphins, even when they are probably the most beloved animals from the sea, are mysterious. It is possible to spot a fin, a nose and some jumps, not to see them ever again, or perhaps tomorrow, or in few years from now. We do not know what they do when they are under, we know little about their enterprises and distresses, their love and their hatred, if they have any at all.  But of course, they are dolphins and we do not expect them to hate anybody. Are they not always smiling? And so with our… Read More »Brother Dolphin

I don’t think that I have done so many suburi in my life. Actually, this isn’t such spectacular statement. In terms of a normal iaidoka and/or kendoka development, I am like a kid half way highschool. Never mind that I did high school so long ago and so far away from where I live now, that it is even shameful to say so. Never mind that even my son is done with high school years ago. All the same. I don’t think I have done so many suburi, ever. Of course, COVID19 is partly to blame. And David sensei and… Read More »suburi suburi suburi

In the most famous tango ever, Gardel sings to us that “twenty years are nothing”, surely when we are going back home. It is never too late and maybe… maybe we never left. Yet I know of no straight comeback. It is now a couple of years ago that brother Bearded Dragon showed up as a kendo beginner. Well, not quite like another beginner. Long before kendokas joined Yushinkan, he learned iaido. Life and work and who knows what else took him away and then again, life and work brought him back. This time to learn some kendo with us.… Read More »Bearded Dragon