Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on September 26, 2003
One of my favorite design motifs in Japanese Yagyu tsuba or "swords guards” is the saihai (采配) or “War Baton for a Commander.”
The war baton design has a secret meaning and this design is especially unique by what is not represented. This is referred to as rusu moyo (留守模様) or "missing design." If we study the Yagyu sword guards deeply, we understand that the war baton signifying battle or warfare is always paired with the hora or conch shell. The large conch shells were made into horns and used by mountain priests and those who practice ascetics. Paired together, the design refers to the deep connection of military arts and spiritual discipline. In some tsuba with this war baton motif, the conch shell is missing but if we are initiated into the Yagyu teachings, we understand that this is “supposed” to be there and only "hidden" or implied. To the uninitiated person, they would only see the design alluding to warfare. The Yagyu student would understand that this is deeply connected to spiritual training (represented by the conch shell horn) which may or may not be represented.
Much of Aikido teaching is the same. We must see what is there in the art and we must see what is NOT there as well. Both sides are meaningful. In Japanese arts, the emphasis is on what is not represented, much like an ink painting which shows so much "blank" space. This so-called blank space is supposed to be so meaningful and purposeful. This is very evident in Japanese poetry as well.
In Western poetry too, words often conjure up an image which is not actually represented but only implied. So, it is true with Aikido as well. Do not see Aikido as a sport or exercise - see Aikido as an art like poetry or painting and see what is presented and also what is NOT represented.
In this, only the deep connection between the painter and the viewer or the poet and the reader can render its deeper meaning. So, it is with Aikido practice as well - only between the teacher and student can the true art be materialized. Please don’t miss class.