Select writing on traditional and classical martial arts and culture by Mark Raugas.
Some reflections on gokui
Reflections on researching and writing about inner principles of Japanese swordsmanship and relating those back to my internal martial arts practice.
Some Context for Tàijíquán Practice
Taijiquan, along with Xingyiquan and Baguazhang, forms the core of the internal martial arts, distinguished by their grounding in Taoist philosophy and Neigong practices.
Kiai is Not a Sound
Discussing my study of Japanese swordsmanship in the context of internal martial arts principles and esoteric Buddhist practice.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Gogyō Exegesis
An essay describing my experience, thinking, and choices regarding attempting to practice multiple koryū and then deciding not to.
Taiji Classics
An important translation of the Taiji Classics has been published. Highly recommended.
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 Aikidō and Daitō-ryū. What interested me about internal martial arts and how I have related that experience to my practice of Japanese budō.
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.
Early Influences
Early influences on my training — how I moved from modern to classical approaches to training.