Start Your Journey

I always knew that the name of our style, Eizan Ryu Jujitsu, referred to a mountain in Japan, but I was never sure of the exact meaning. I could not find mention of a mountain called Eizan in Japan. It was supposed to signify a “fertile mountain,” but was it the name of a specific mountain? Did it refer to a particular kind of mountain? I did not know.

Recently, a Japanese friend told me that “Eizan” almost certainly refers to Mount Hieizan near Kyoto. Eizan is a shorter form of Hieizan, and is commonly used by people in that part of Japan. Mount Hieizan was the site of a monastery, home to a powerful group of warrior monks.

I was grateful to finally know the exact derivation of the name Eizan Ryu. However, to me, what has always been most meaningful was the story that I was told was behind the name. The image is of a fertile mountain, a mountain with many trees and bushes growing on its slopes. It is a tall mountain, but its shape is somewhat hidden because it is covered with such a dense forest. As one begins to climb the mountain, one is surrounded by lush vegetation creating a complex and beautiful world. 

The journey is challenging, because of the undergrowth and because one is, after all, climbing a mountain. But it is rewarding, with many lovely little paths and interesting things to discover, and one begins to feel a sense of accomplishment as one climbs higher and higher. And then one sees that the forest appears to be opening up and one assumes that this means that one is reaching the top of the mountain. But as one steps out into the sunshine, one discovers that it is just an open meadow – beautiful and sunlit, yes, but clearly just a little plateau, with the summit nowhere in sight and the path through more forest continuing just on the other side of the meadow.

So one goes on. The trees vary, becoming more majestic as one goes. Sometimes, the undergrowth is very thick, and the climb is a struggle; other times, the path is smooth and the journey is easy. Yet again one sees an opening ahead, but yet again it proves to be just a small but delightful meadow, with a further wooded slope on the other side.

And so it goes, again and again. The journey itself is challenging, rewarding, beautiful, and in fact becomes more interesting and enjoyable as one climbs higher, but each time one thinks one has reached the top, one sees that there is more mountain yet to climb. And after a while, one stops expecting the summit, as one finds that the journey is its own reward.

This is, of course, an excellent way to think of training in the martial arts. In the beginning, one may be focused on specific goals – a higher rank, ability to execute particular techniques, a certain level of competence. One can fall into thinking that one will reach a summit of some sort when one achieves that goal. Of course there is satisfaction in reaching each new level, in stepping out of the woods and into the peaceful little meadow. And indeed, if one wishes, one can always stop there, taking pride in having gotten so far.

But if one wants to go further, either immediately or after a break, the journey can continue.  There is more to learn, more to work on, more to discover. The mountain is always there, full of promise. So start your journey -- or return to it.