Style and Awe

Budo respects everyone, even the enemy, especially the enemy. Budo is a universal philosophy, bringing dignity and self-fulfillment to all. Yet whilst all are created equal, not all can live up to the heritage or the highest callings of Budo.

In this photo sequence, we can see the unbridled awe in which students hold Ben Sensei and the panache with which he retains his Budo-esque sense of humility. In these photos, we can see Ben Sensei's unparalelled ability to display self-defense and hint at the higher meanings of Budo at the same time.

In future posts, a video of Ben Sensei wearing Hakama and a black-and-white sequence of Ben Sensei displaying the martial prowess that has made him an enduring legend in Southeast Asia's self-defense community.

Interview with Ben Haryo Sensei: IV

Due to the flood of demand from readers for more Ben Haryo Sensei material, the editors of Cempaka Dojo Blog are putting up the interview included here. In this interview, Ben Sensei offers insights into the training, history, and sheer talent that have made him an icon in the martial arts community.

Also check out the photos of Ben in action and Sarung.

[From KIAI].

Interview with Ben Haryo sensei

Ben Haryo sensei is the head instructor of Goshin Budo Indonesia Jujutsu club. He holds the rank of Godan in Jujutsu and is yudansha in Wado Ryu. Ben sensei also has Menkyo Okuden in Jissen budo arts within Kokusai Jissen Budo Kyokai. He continuously studies under his Wado Ryu, Jujutsu and Ninpo sensei.


KIAI: How old were you when you started training in the martial arts, and what made you start?

I think it was 1985, when I was a fifth grader. I started training because I think the movements of the martial arts looks beautiful!

KIAI: Could you tell us a bit about your training with Mr. Taman, your first sensei?

Mr. Taman is amongst the kindest person I ever met. My training with him is totally for free, including my rank certificates. My training in his Dojo includes free lunch and dinner, because we train from 11-12 in the morning to 7 in the evening. He is like an uncle to me. His home and Dojo are located in another city (Bekasi) while I live in Jakarta, took me like 2 hours to get there and another 1 hour to come back, but I was determined to train with him. He has a good teaching system though, because with him my progress was quite fast. I also assisted him in demonstrations, thus helping me a lot to understand his materials better. Under his guidance I learned many Jujutsu techniques and principles (such as principles found in Idori, Tachiai, Tantodori etc), in addition to the standard 3 K's of Karate (Kata, Kihon and Kumite).

Around the same time frame I began corresponding with Jujutsu stylists from USA, such as Prof. George Kirby and Prof. Harold Brosious. Actually it was Mr. Taman who wrote the letter of recommendation to Mr. Kirby. I learned a lot of techniques from their books and videos, and Prof. Brosious kindly tutored me on his Ketsugo system through a constant supply of instructional videos and books. I am most thankful to him for introducing to me many Jujutsu tricks I never seen anywhere else.

My good friend Mr. Saleh Jusuf is a Judo, Sambo and Pencak Silat Paseban practitioner. He was trained by John Phillips, Chris Doelman and Willem Ruska in the Netherlands. He has excellent grappling skills. I learned Sambo and Silat Paseban from Mr. Saleh, and enjoyed them very much. His Sambo influenced me tremendously. Silat Paseban is also very interesting to learn. I taught him Jujutsu and Wado-ryu in return.

KIAI: Some of your movements show certain Ninpo influences. Where did you get them?

In the year 2001 I met Mr. Martadi who is the Indonesian representative of Soke Tanemura (of Genbukan/KJJR fame). I learned techniques from Takagi Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu from him. He taught me some Ninpo and Kenjutsu techniques as well. I was the very first Shodan in his Jujutsu group, Samurai Jujutsu Indonesia (SJJI). I enjoyed training with him because we interact very well. I also trained his students in the arts that I know, mostly Karate and Sambo.

I exchanged techniques and arts with my own students as well. Firdaus Alam is my representative in the city of Bandung. He is a Goju-ryu Sandan and he trained me in Goju-ryu in exchange with Jujutsu techniques. I also learned many Katas from one of Firdaus's teacher, Mr. Bryson Keenan from Zendokai Goju-ryu (Australia).

KIAI: Did you ever have the chance to use your martial arts?

Many times. My country has the highest crime rate in Southeast Asia. The number of people killed by criminals in Indonesia within one DAY is far more than the number of people killed by terrorists in Palestine within one WEEK. Also, this country has a deep-rooted tradition of fighting to the death, even for silly reasons. And the fight was never nice one-on-one fair duels, it's always mass fighting, so deaths from riots are very common. I used to carry brass knuckles and cutter knife everywhere. I've been involved in knife fighting too, and I still have the battle scars to prove that in real knife fighting, you WILL get cut, no matter how much skills you have. I got stabbed once, and in some knife duels I got cut on the wrists as well. I survived due to the fact that I used my wits a lot. Get in, cut something, get out, and always try to run if possible. I know that I am not a truly good fighter, I know my limitations so I pick my fights carefully. I always stay out of danger as much as possible. Generally will I run away from trouble when I am able to smell it from a distance..or so to speak (laughs).

But there were times where we have to face adversity. During the infamous May 1998 riot of Indonesia, my city of Jakarta was looted by rioters for 3 days. My friends and I banded together to form a neighborhood watch team, and I carried a Katana with me all the times. My friends also had Katanas so we were like a Ronin group (Laughs). It's an excellent weapon to chase the rioters away, and we were a team, so the rioters generally stayed away.

KIAI: No matter how many students in kenjutsu you have at the moment, can you tell us which you prefer: teaching in front of a large class of students, teaching to a small group of students or teaching only one student at the time? Please, give us your reasons.

I can teach a group of six students (three pairs) at a time, where they will use Bokkens. I will demonstrate Kamaegata and the basic techniques from Kamaegata. Then I will progress to Kumitachi, where only a pair of students will learn the attacks and counters. This will go on for quite a while, until I decided that they have getting used with the idea of holding a Bokken. Then I will take one student at a time to teach Nukiuchi using Iaito.

KIAI: Lots of films with Japanese swords arts have been successfully released in last year or so. "Kill Bill", "The Last Samurai", "Zatoichi" - to name a few... These Blockbusters attract lots of audience to cinemas around the world. In your opinion, what will be the effect of this fashion to the number of kenjutsu students in yours and dojo nearby? Will these movies attract more new students, repel even the current ones or will make no affect at all?

I must say that these films are very fascinating, especially Zatoichi, I like it very much! It is very amusing to me, they choose Takeshi Kitano as the main actor. My childhood memories about Mr. Kitano are very sweet, he is the host of a popular children TV show, by the name of "Takeshi Castle". Yes, he was a comedian! I enjoyed that TV show very much. Now I see Zatoichi, and this man, whom I always consider as a comedian, is playing the role of a great swordsman!

Anyway, these films do not attract any new students to my Dojo, but they make my old students inquiring about learning Kenjutsu! I also heard that Aikido students began taking Kenjutsu classes. So, in a way these films might have helped!

KIAI: What would you extract as the most specific "trade mark" technique or teaching principle in your particular style of swordsmanship? Is there anything that makes your style and syllabus special among other styles and sword arts?

Kenjutsu that I learned from Martadi san is from the Genbukan style, which is rooted in the teachings of Takamatsu sensei (Takamatsu-den). Naturally, the techniques extend to the realm of Daisho-Sabaki, or how to manage yourself when you are in close quarter fighting while wearing two swords (Daito and Shoto). This involves extensive use of the swords during a grappling/striking encounter, as an additional "helping hand" to strike or grapple with the opponent. So there is a close connection between Jujutsu and Kenjutsu in the teaching of Takamatsu-den.

KIAI: What criteria do you use when accepting new kenjutsu students? Are there any lower age limits, any interviews, any earlier knowledge required? Do you look for proofs of no previous criminal record, any medical records, etc.? Do you use any "oaths" or anything like that?

I only teach Kenjutsu to my Jujutsu students whom I consider most loyal and trustworthy. So it's mostly personal considerations. Besides, the Kenjutsu techniques I taught them are the most basic ones, so I don't raelly need to use "oaths".

To be continued...