06/27/2026
How's this 2026 treating everyone? Being the Fire Horse zodiac, good things come to those who work hard and are passionate. Here's a folklore that can serve to help guide us on the right path. Named "Manzō to uma" (万蔵と馬), we get to see how the actions of an average man can be life changing...and yes, it does involve horses.
Although introduced as a folklore, it is actually based off of a real life story. How accurate is it? Click the link below to read more on this.
A Horse-Themed Story about Manzō’s Goodwill & Honesty Repaid
It’s time to visit this year’s horse theme with an old Japanese folklore. Over the years, I’ve introduced various folklores that correlate with that year’s Zodiac pretty clo…
06/02/2026
A new article is online at Light in the Clouds blog, which gives shine to the theatrical world of nōgaku. Many should be familiar with images or depictions of Noh, where actors wear eye-catching masks or face paint, lavish wigs, and colorful outfits on a stage with props depicting medieval Japan layout, singing in an enchantinh voice. When did this style of performing art begin in Japan? Who are the pioneers? Was this form of entertainment popular?
Nōgaku as a field of performing arts has a very long history, and has a systematic structure. The latest serves to give readers a brief introduction and overview of its role in Japanese history, which can be accessed at the link below.
Nōgaku and the 3 Stages of Evolution
Over the years, many articles here cover medieval Japan, from famous warlords, iconic battles, and legendary weapons. In some of these, theatrical actors and performers have also been mentioned, su…
04/30/2026
Recently I saw a topic about extreme mobility from a low crouching posture while wielding a sword. It was quite impressive, and had me thinking about my own experience in relations to the topic. This led to the following article, entitled "Basics 101: Bending the Knees". Here, I showcase some of the methods used for building strong legs, and what the purposes are in relations to kobudō.
Leg strength is essential in martial arts, but it's more than just building large muscles. To find out more, just click the link below.
Basics 101: Bending the Knees
Mobility is a core point in all martial arts. Ensuring we strengthen our legs on a regular basis is important. Standard leg exercises is good, such as running, squats, training with weights, and so…
