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The Spirit of Bushido's Virtues

At Bushido Martial Arts we understand that no two people will have the same goals, intentions and motivations as each other when it comes to their decision to spend time within a martial art.  Therefore we do not approach the teaching of any discipline as a “tick-box” exercise.

Instead we train around core principles that enable all to join us (whether it be for karate, yogic arts, krav maga, fitness training or even our social activities) you will get what you want from it.  

We don’t just train by these principles, we LIVE by them!

These principles are summarised within our 8 Bushido Virtues.  Through these 8 concepts you can be an individual, work towards your goals and know that you are being supported by the club, while also contributing to everyone else’s journeys.

We are more than a club, we are a network of individuals following our own paths through common interests and training.

“Mere technical knowledge of an art is not enough to make a man really its master; he ought to have delved deeply into the inner spirit of it.” 
D.T. Suzuki

The 8 Virtues

Click on the kanji symbol for more information

Sincerity  

1000 wide Sincerity black
“Trustworthy reputations
are only gained from
virtuous merit”
Bubishi – article 2

Respect

1000 wide Respect black
“What is important is to try to develop insights and wisdom rather than mere knowledge, respect someone’s character rather than his learning, and nurture men of character rather than mere talents”
Inazo Nitobe

Compassion

1000 wide Compassion black
“Bushi no nasake​ – the tenderness of the warrior – has a sound that appeals at once to whatever was noble in us” Inazo Nitobe

Courage

1000 wide Courage black
“Spirit first,
technique second”
Gichin Funakoshi

Honour

1000 wide Honour black
“Do not think of winning.
Think, rather, of not losing”
Gichin Funakoshi

Justice

1000 wide Justice black
“Nothing is more loathsome… than underhand dealings and crooked undertakings”
Inazo Nitobe

Self Control

1000 wide Self-control black V2
“Calmness of behaviour, composure of mind, should not be disturbed by passions of any kind”
Inazo Nitobe

Loyalty

1000 wide Loyalty black
“True mastery can only result after years of uncompromising training”
Bubishi – article 2

SINCERITY

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.

RESPECT

1000 wide Respect black

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.

COMPASSION

1000 wide Compassion black

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.

COURAGE

1000 wide Courage black

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.

HONOUR

1000 wide Honour black

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.

JUSTICE

1000 wide Justice black

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.

SELF CONTROL

1000 wide Self-control black V2

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.

LOYALTY

1000 wide Loyalty black

Sincerity is the cornerstone of what we have built at Bushido Martial Arts.  If we cannot be honest with our members about what we are doing, then we are being fraudulent.  

We therefore train with integrity, stating clearly what our methods are intended to achieve.  We will also be honest when challenged and we do not know the answer.  In return, what we expect from our members is that they are truthful to themselves about their standard, knowledge and the effort that they put into their training.