Looking back, martial arts have been a part of my life for nearly as long as music. I began my training in judo as a young boy in France, but over time, my curiosity deepened, and I found myself captivated by the elegance and complexity of Japanese weapons systems. This fascination set the course for a lifelong journey of practice, learning, and teaching.
Over the years, I have dedicated myself to the study of several Japanese weapons systems. While I no longer actively practice some of these styles due to time constraints, my journey has led me to achieve the following ranks:
• Tankendo: Kyoshi 7-dan
• Jukendo: Renshi 6-dan
• Naginata: 4-dan
• Battodo: 2-dan
In addition to these modern martial arts, I have practiced classical koryu styles, including Tendo-ryu and Tatsumi-ryu, for many years. These classical traditions offer a window into the history and philosophy of Japan, blending martial techniques with cultural and spiritual insight.
As chairman of the international division of the All Japan Jukendo Federation, I am deeply committed to spreading the arts of jukendo and tankendo beyond Japan’s borders. These martial arts, centered around bayonet techniques, are steeped in history and offer practitioners a unique blend of precision, strategy, and discipline. I was privileged to teach both styles at the International Budo University for several years, where I still teach occasinaly as a guest professor.
Outside the dojo, I’ve had the honor of appearing on NHK’s Sports Japan, sharing the rich history and nuances of Japanese weapon-based martial arts with a broader audience. These appearances have been an incredible opportunity to showcase the cultural significance and technical mastery of these disciplines and meet many interesting people along the way.
In addition to teaching and practicing, I’ve dedicated significant time to documenting and sharing knowledge of Japanese martial arts. My written works include several books, as well as numerous articles published in respected journals and magazines like Kendo World, Ken no Kokoro, Yashima, etc.
I’m often asked whether martial arts have influenced my art or vice versa. Honestly, it’s hard to say. Martial arts undoubtedly cultivate focus, and this ability to concentrate deeply on tasks might carry over into creative work. However, people devoted to art are often just as intensely focused when immersed in their craft.
One notable issue, though, lies in the structure of Japanese martial arts. Many are based on prearranged forms known as kata. While these forms may have been fluid and dynamic in the past, they have a tendency in modern practice to become rigid, purposedly stifling creative expression.
Yet, there is an aspect of Japanese martial arts that deeply resonates with me: the relentless effort to strip away the superfluous and distill every concept and technique to its purest essence. This ethos, I believe, mirrors the artistic process. Early in my journey, my drawings and paintings were often overly complex—filled with unnecessary detail. Over time, I’ve learned to apreciate simplicity more. Even now, as I work on modular art with Kura Curiosa, a project that can grow into an expansive and intricate system, I strive to design each module with a sense of minimalism.
The journey, of course, is ongoing. There is still much to refine and develop within Kura Curiosa, but I believe that the discipline and focus I’ve honed through martial arts will continue to provide the willpower needed to see it through. Both art and martial practice remind me that mastery lies not in complexity but in the clarity of purpose and execution.
