Lín bīng dòu zhě jiē zhèn liè qián xíng
may all those who preside over warriors be my vanguard
Inner Dharma is a writing project of Mark Raugas concerned with traditional internal martial arts and Japanese swordsmanship.
posts listed by topic can be found here
New Book on Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu
I have collected my notes on Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu into a single volume and expanded them with research into Japanese language historical documents and publications on that art. The result is now available as a small book.
Contrasting Modern and Classical Mindsets
We examine some features of armed and unarmed grappling and small weapon styles from the medieval period to modernity and draw some parallels and distinctions between them, especially as related to combat sport and contemporary military practices.
In Memorium: David A. Hall (1947-2025)
On 26 July 2025, the world lost one of its most knowledgeable teachers and scholars of classical Japanese martial culture.
Japan Pilgrimage
Moon Mountain Hall (
Jikishinkage-ryū passing from Edo to Meiji
Discussion of a famous lineage of Jikishinkage-ryū and how it may have ended in the late 19th century.
From Kodachi to Kogusoku
Examining the role of kodachi kata in the progression of skill in Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu, with a description of application to close quarter armed grappling.
Raito and Sente
Examining the relationship between combative posture and initiative in a portion of Jikishinkage-ryū. What is first observed may be quite different from hidden layers of meaning and practice.
Koryū-wa koryū nari
The title is a pun on a famous saying associated to Shintō-ryū, the art of war is the art of peace. Old traditions are small traditions — it is the content that matters.
Comparing Patanjali's 8 Limbs with Buddha's Noble 8-fold path
Last year I began additional training in the union of Yoga and Buddhism offered through Tibet House. As part of this training, an essay comparing the Astanga (8-limbs) of Patanjali with the Buddhist Noble Eightfold path.
Kiai is Not a Sound
Discussing my study of Japanese swordsmanship in the context of internal martial arts principles and esoteric Buddhist practice.
An Example of Kuzushi
An example of the deconstruction of kata. Kuzushi is the name for the activity of pulling apart and analyzing kata in Shinkage-ryū, making connections between different parts of its curriculum. It also at times can refer to sudden, spontaneous, change.
Hōjō ken Kokoro-e sho
Text on Jikishinkage-ryū Hōjō (foundational) swordsmanship, provided for reference based on Jikishinkage-ryū Sōhonbu and Hōbyōkan material. This is typically chanted or recited before performance of the Hōjō kata of Jikishinkage-ryū.
Visiting Kyoto and Nara
Visiting sacred places has been an important component of my martial arts training over the years. I recently spent time visiting Kyoto and Nara.
Divergence and Unification in Shinkage-ryū
Link to an essay on kata, heiho and shugyo, where I compare and contrast different surviving lines of Shinkage-ryū and reflect on my own practice.
Tōsha Dōjō
Tōsha Dōjō is a small training activity that meets weekly as part of Lonin League in Seattle and is focused on traditional kata practice and free sparring with armor and shinai.
General Qi Jiguans's Jixiao Xinshu and Reflections on Claims of Martial Virtue
An essay published at Kogen Budo, where I look at some older writings from Japanese koryu that reference classical Chinese military treatises, and then examine how practices described in those works may be represented in arts surviving today.
Jiki Video
Links to some representative video of Jikishinkage-ryū in Japan.
Pressure Testing in Classical Budō
A description of some of my efforts to keep my practice of kenjutsu intact after moving to the Pacific Northwest. After moving, I decided to focus solely on Shinkage-ryū and pause my study of Shintō-ryū. I trained initially alone and over time tested my skills in unscripted environments. This is some of what transpired.
YCGF Weapons Practices
The Taiji, Bagua and Xingyi taught as part of Yin Cheng Gong Fa includes an extensive curriculum of jian (sword), dao (saber), and qiang (spear).
Gogyō Exegesis
An essay describing my experience, thinking, and choices regarding attempting to practice multiple koryū and then deciding not to.
Perspectives and Priorities
Opportunity can be fleeting in classical and traditional martial arts training. Each art lives or dies in a single generation. Strong arts can become but weak echoes of their former selves without proper training intensity.
Kagu no mine
Kagunomine is the spring peak observance practiced in certain forms of Shugendo. With spring in full bloom, I look back over the last six months and provide an update on my training. Ideas both orthodox and heretical abound.
Classical Taijiquan
Attending a seminar detailing excerpts from the Taiji classics.
Aiki and Internal Training
Collected thoughts on the historical influence of Chinese martial arts on Japanese jujutsu and how they relate to the topic of aiki in Aikido and Daito-ryū . What interested me about internal martial arts and how I have related that experience to my practice of Japanese budō.
Winter Light
I'm happy to be hitting the tail end of winter. Reflections on recent discussion on internal training, Shinkage-ryū and Shintō-ryū, and the merits of walking a long, slow, path to excellence in physical culture.
Whirlwind
Moving to Seattle — continuing to walk the same paths.
Wu Taiji Quan Seminar with Zhao Zeren and Zhang Yun
Zhao Zeren and Zhang Yun taught a series of three seminars on the Wu Style Taiji Quan of Wang Peisheng during May 2016 in Princeton, Pittsburgh, and Silver Spring.
Taiji Classics
An important translation of the Taiji Classics has been published. Highly recommended.
Jujutsu and Gekkiken
Short update on my continued training activities in Baltimore.
Shinai and Bogu
Discussion of training implements that allow for free practice in traditional martial arts.
Masakikai Hobyokan Kagamibiraki 2016
I had the pleasure of attending the 12th annual Kagami Biraki hosted by the Masakikai and Hoboykai in Sterling, Virginia.
Princeton Bagua and Taiji Seminar
At the end of summer, I traveled to Princeton for a seminar in Bagua and Taiji and was accepted as a formal lineal student by my teacher, Zhang Yun.
Time passes
Decluttering practice, finding inspiration.
White Out and Eight Immortals
In the new year, I have decided to focus my martial arts efforts to continued regular participation in two schools — Yin Cheng Gong Fa and the Hobyokan
Distilling a core practice from many options
I am, over time, attempting to focus my kenjutsu practice. I have studied under two schools of Japanese swordsmanship that may once have been related in the distant echoes of time, but now are quite divergent. It is interesting to explore the benefits each provide to a practitioner, and how they relate to my continued focus on internal martial arts.
Are You Connected?
An analysis of basic concepts of normal force in the context of internal martial arts.
The Fifth Season
In Chinese Medicine, there are five fundamental elements that reinforce or supress one another – they are water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Each corresponds to a season
NAMT Night of Budo 2013
A brief reflection on a demonstration of Araki-ryū and Tenshin Buko-ryū at the NAMT 2013 Night of Budo by Ellis Amdur a reknown kobudo, aikido and internal martial arts researcher and practitioner, demonstrating two arts he has mastered.
NYC Aiki-jujutsu: History & Aftermath
Collecting what I know of NYC area Aiki-jujutsu schools inspired by the teaching of Daito-ryū Kodokai, especially Yonezawa Katsumi.
Vinyasa Yoga and Vajrayama
In early 2007 I completed a 200 hour level Yoga Alliance certified teacher training at Midtown Yoga in Baltimore under Kim Manfredi in Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. I took the step to engage in formal teacher training to deepen my asana practice, which began as an adjunct to my rock climbing, endurance sports, and martial arts practices. Over time, I have found the approach yoga takes to provide a strong foundation for continuing to live and train in a manner that cultivates health and well-being, beyond the technical excellence one might cultivate in any speciific activity or sport.
Three Treasures and Six Harmonies
A discussion of cultivated skill and power generation in internal martial arts.
Bagua and Aikido
An examination of baguazhang body mechanics compared to modern kempo derived from Aikido and related arts. A discussion of power generation in internal martial arts.
Early Influences
Early influences on my training — how I moved from modern to classical approaches to training.
Gassankan Jujutsu
In Baltimore, after leaving my first dojo in NYC, I continued to work on refining the modern goshin-jutsu
Liu Dekuan Linear Baguazhang
Linear bagua of Liu Dekuan consits of 64 short movements practiced in eight sets.