The meaning of 松竹梅刀法　Sho Chiku Bai Ken Po

Happy New Year Everyone!

Japanese often bring in the New Year by setting up 門松 Kadomatsu at　the front of their homes. Kadomatsu literally means “gate pine.” What does this have to do with 松竹梅刀法　Sho Chiku Bai Ken Po? Quite a lot really!

Kadomatsu are usually comprised of 松 pine, as the name implies, but also of 竹 bamboo and 梅 plumb blossom (regionally). So as you can see, a Kadomatsu consists of 松竹梅 shochikubai. Why? The symbolism of shochikubai, originated in China, where they were known as “The Three Friends of Winter.” This was because all three plants remain hail and hardy despite winter’s bitter cold. The shochikubai can represent: longevity, vitality, and life force respectively, and many other things as well. Over much time, in Japan, shochikubai deviated from its original meaning and became a general representation of good fortune. In addition to the above, there is another aspect of Kadomatsu that should be noted. But first a little background:

In northwestern Kyoto there is an ancient Shingon temple called Daikaku-ji which houses the headquarters of the Saga Goryu school of Ikebana. According to tradition, this school was founded in the 9th century when the emperor Saga arranged some chrysanthemums that were growing in the middle of Osawa Pond and placed them in a three tiered structure representing: Heaven, Earth and Man.

Thus, the bamboo in a Kadomatsu is displayed in three tiers representing 天地人 Ten Chi Jin.

This is all poetic and graceful, but is there a meaning beyond these for Ueshiba’s 松竹梅刀法　Sho Chiku Bai Ken Po as it was passed on to his student Shirata Rinjiro?* The answer to that question is most emphatically, “Yes!”

In traditional rules of Japanese painting (which were borrowed from China) there were certain subjects that were considered “appropriate” and many meanings associated with those subjects. The sun and the ocean were considered appropriate. The sun is changeless and the ocean is constantly in a state of change, therefore they came to represent In and Yo. If one observes as closely as an artist would, one would notice that, when sun and ocean interact, water vapor is produced. Thus, in combination, the sun, ocean and mist/clouds/air came to represent 天地人 Ten Chi Jin. Another subject deemed worthy of painting originated in China as a mythical island, in the sea, inhabited by saints/sages/hermits. The Japanese recognized this naturally as their own island. And, according to the myth, upon this island there resided 松竹梅 Shochikubai!

Once known, one can begin to see the familiar progression of Ichi Rei, Ni Ki, San Gen, etc. referred to so frequently by Ueshiba Morihei in his explanations of Aikido. Furthermore, one can readily see that these grand cosmological ancient symbols are interrelated and intermingled. This is further illustrated by that fact that the symbols of triangle, circle and square are directly related to both 天地人 Ten Chi Jin, and 松竹梅刀法 Sho Chiku Bai.

Now that we have established that there is a relationship between the symbols of In Yo, San Gen, Ten Chi Jin and Sho Chiku Bai. Let’s take a look at one out of the many examples where Ueshiba Morihei used of them to expound upon Aikido.

松竹梅錬り清めゆく気の仕組いつここに生るや身変るの水火 ~ Morihei Ueshiba

shochikubai neri kiyome yuku ki no shikumi itsukoko ni naruya mikawaru no iki

pine, bamboo, and plumb; forge and purify this structure of Ki; where is it born? the transformation of the body of water/fire

A smother rendering: Shochikubai, forged and purified, are the structure of Ki ( 天気　地気　人気　Ten ki, Chi ki, and Jin ki), from where is it born?, the transformation of the body of fire and water.

Paraphrased: Shochikubai represent the tripartite ki structure of tenchijin (the universe,) from which, through forging and purification, a body transformation of in/yo (fire/water, yin/yang) occurs.

Ken is sword and Po is 法 which means “law or method.”

So, “Shochikubai Kenpo is the method of sword which forges and purifies the universal structure of ki (天気　地気　人気) born from the transformed body of In/Yo.

Which is to say it is “The method of Aiki with a Ken,” or more succinctly, “Aiki Ken.”

Well, that is my New Year’s Post. There will be more to come concerning Aiki Ken and other subjects. I hope this finds you all well and happy!

~ Allen

*As I learned it decades ago, Sho Chiku Bai Kenpo was, and is the term used to refer to the summation of Shirata sensei’s ken teachings of which there is an impressive amount.

I’d like to thank my steadfast Patreon contributors for all of your support this year. It has been an “interesting” year, and your fortitude kept TrueAiki.com up and running. I’d also like to share my appreciation for those that have contributed via PayPal. I spent several vacation days behind my computer trying to figure out how make TrueAiki more accessible and better organized. To be honest, it was quite frustrating. But then right at the end a generous PayPal contribution was made and I felt like, “Somebody appreciates my hard work!”

Of course the number of subscribers and visitors indicate that many, many people from across the globe appreciate, and find value in TrueAiki.com. Both them and I owe those that can, and do, contribute a debt of gratitude. Thank you!

True Aiki is free for all to read, but it is not free.  As little as $1 can help to cover expenses and possibly add features to True Aiki.

Thank You!

Please consider becoming a patron of Allen Dean Beebe's True Aiki.  Your ongoing support will best assure the continuance and growth of True Aiki.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!