Tengu Ryu Theater

The Theater of Tengu Ryu

I was once talking to a friend about Tengu Ryu. I told her I did not know if it was a martial art because there is no competition, and I am not preparing the students to win a sword fight. My friend has a degree in theater arts, and she replied, “Well, most art is beautiful.” Then it struck me that Tengu Ryu is indeed a martial “art." It is the other “arts,” with the goal of defeating others, that should be considered to be fighting or martial “styles”, “techniques,” and “systems”.

Tengu Ryu is like theater. Partners play their roll in a choreographed battle. The choreography acts out a story of the exchange of attacks and defenses until the conclusion.

The Tengu Ryu practitioner is not focused on winning, on defeating another. He or She is focused on being present and playing his or her roll with impeccability, with grace, and in a relaxed yet concentrated presence. This presence can express characteristics such ad dignity, but it can also be intimidating, dominating, or even threatening when the roll calls for that, but it is not malicious even though the conclusion of the engagement is the demonstration of a lethal cut: this is what must happen if one is caught in such a conflict, if one is to survive. And the one playing the role of being cut has the opportunity to contemplate, for a few seconds, the fragility of his or her life.

Imagine a play that has 5 acts, but the acts have variations; they can be different on any particular night. Depending what night you go to see the play, it will tell a different story. In this scenario the actors do not know which variation they will perform. It is up to the actors to decide and respond to each other appropriately. Imagine how present the actors must be. Imagine how engaged the audience must be to be aware of the variations. This is a play they want to see over and over.

Tengu Ryu advanced practice allows variations to the choreography, initiated by one partner so the other must respond appropriately. This is how we continue to sharpen our awareness, our presence, our focus.

Tom Reed

Tengu Ryu Aikikendo, Elkhorn Dojo Cho