Photos from Kyoto and Nara, including the seat of Honzan-ha Shugendō,
Kuramadera (鞍馬寺), Yuki Jinja (由岐神社), Todai-ji Nigatsu-do and surroundings.
It was while visiting the Dewa Sanzan area and Mt. Haguro that I realized I needed to study
classical and traditional arts instead of continuing to teach modern jujutsu. Twenty years later, visiting these shrines and temples,
especially those associated to esoteric Buddhism and Shugendō,
I realized that my path has narrowed exclusively to practicing internal martial arts.
I had hoped at some point to reconnect with orthodox lines of Jikishinkage-ryū in Japan but while on this trip
I realized my sword practice has evolved to the point where it is something, for better or worse, unique.
My time in Japan was better spent reconnecting with historical places of interest to Buddhism, Taoism,
and the practice of austerities in the mountains.
Mark Raugas
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