My Life Samurai

Prompted by my Webmaster to remember my Japanese lives I discovered along with my Landsknecht costume a Japanese costume made at University in 1975 without any reference to media input. I then saw the significance of my interest in Japanese martial arts and all things Japanese. Amazing what you consciously forget as physical life rolls by.

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Hojo Samurai

I've always reconnected with my memories through practical hobbies and pursuits. This satisfies the subconscious which purrs quietly when you get it right! Modelling with 54mm Britains figures is a great way to do this. They are inexpensive, tough and cheaply available on eBay. There is something about a toy! It's a play thing some much loved and valued others have rougher lives and are uncared for by uncaring adults paying lip service to their...

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Karate do

After having cancer treatment radiation and chemo in 1979-80 I needed to rebuild my muscles up. I went to the gym weight training during my free periods at St George's and then Hartsdown Schools in Thanet. I rapidly bulked up but my good friend at the time Nick Spalding suggested I try Karate do (Kara - empty, te - hand, do - way of). The Japanese martial art of defence develops two thirds flexibility and one third strength. I remembered what my...

Kendo

Kendo Kendo ("sword way"), is a modern Japanese martial art, which descended from swordsmanship (kenjutsu) and uses bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armour (bogu). Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and many other nations across the world. My Samurai memory achieved full flowering when I started Kendo - literally the Way of the Sword. In tandem with my continuing Karate do I developed my full martial spirit by taking up this...

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Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584 - June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezo, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Doraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and ronin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age. He was the founder of the Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu or Niten-ryu style of swordsmanship and the author of The...

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Red Musketeers

The Red Musketeer The first saw the Nachtwacht I was struck by the Red Musketeers (arquebusier)!!! It was 1975. That image haunted me until I realised the connection between Scottish Covenant General William Baillie and myself. Rembrandt Masterpiece Rembrandt has displayed the traditional emblem of the arquebusiers in a natural way, with the woman in the background carrying the main symbols. She is a kind of mascot herself; the claws of a dead...

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Sanada Yukimura

Sanada Yukimura (真田幸村, 1567 – June 3, 1615), actual name: Sanada Nobushige (真田信繁), was a Japanese samurai warrior of the Sengoku period. He was especially known as the leading general on the defending side of the Siege of Osaka. An enduringly popular figure of Japanese historical legend, Sanada Yukimura was a Sengoku/early Edo Era general who reached Folk Hero status with record speed after his death. His usual appellations are "the bravest warrior in Japan"...

Sanada Yukimura in Exile

Yukimura was called "A Hero who may appear once in a hundred years", "Crimson Demon of War" and "The Last Sengoku Hero". The famed veteran of the invasion of Korea, Shimazu Tadatsune, called him the "Number one warrior in Japan" (日本一の兵). During the first Eastern-Western conflict Yukimura and his father sided with Ishida Mitsunari, but Ieyasu emerged victorious and Yukimura was exiled, barely avoiding execution (his older brother Nobuyuki, Ieyasu's...

Sōhei Warrior Monks

A life of Spritual Training soohei, sōhei 僧兵 monk-warrior, monk-soldier shuuto 衆徒 Shuto Benkei One of the most famous tsuwamono (Hercules) is maybe super-strong Musashibo Benkei 武蔵坊弁慶, the monk-soldier who accompanied Yoshitsune during his whole life. . Musashibo Benkei 武蔵坊弁慶 . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...

Samurai

This is another case of can't see the wood for the trees! Such a large part of my present life that I have forgotten about its relevance to past life memory. Prompted by my webmaster to remember my Japanese lives I discovered along with my Landsknecht costume a Japanese Gi complete with appliqué Sun symbol and kanji characters. Made during my first year at University 1974-75 upon discovering a brand new unused electric sewing machine at the top...

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Tokyo Miracle

Cosmic Coincidence We are living in 3D matrix. Clue are given, you just have to work out the answers. A chance encounter with the “Man of Tokyo” at the Euro Militaire in Folkestone 2013 proved one such clue. He came from the Historical Figurine Museum Tokyo and brought with him a suitcase full of gift shop models. Business was not good! So I bought all his stock. He was most grateful. I like the Greek Hoplite, Knight of St John,One of Cromwell’s Irons...

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Founded by Ian Ballie PHD