A nation is created by the spirit of its people. The major influence on that spirit is its natural environment. The natural environment and the people who live in it mutually influence each other to build a nation.

I am going to talk about the spirit of "Bushido" that dwells in the Japanese people. "Bushido" is an ancient and noble aspect of Japanese culture and virtue. It is a set of values and lifestyle deeply rooted in the lives of many Japanese people. With the recent boom in Japanese culture overseas, this is an opportunity for "Bushido" to be widely understood around the world.

"Bushido" characterizes Japan, the Japanese people, and their culture. Like the countless wars fought across the Eurasian continent, Japan also experienced a tumultuous history known as the Warring States period. However, during the peaceful Edo period, which lasted for 260 years, the samurai's battle experiences and lessons were sublimated into a spiritual culture known as "Bushido." This was possible because Japan, being an island nation, was able to avoid becoming a colony of other countries.

In addition to Japan being an island nation, there are various theories as to why Japan avoided becoming a colony of Western powers. One reason often cited is the high literacy rate and the overall intelligence and cultural sophistication of the populace. This is largely attributed to the widespread establishment of Terakoya (Private Classroom) and Han schools（Samurai Children's School）, which were opened by samurai who had lost their jobs. The knowledge and cultural education of the samurai during the Edo period spread to the general population.

Moreover, the housekeepers who served the daimyo and other samurai families would retire once they reached a certain age. They had a system akin to modern retirement. Many of these women missed the opportunity to marry while serving samurai families in their youth. However, they excelled in arts such as flower arrangement, calligraphy, waka poetry, and music. Therefore, even after retirement, they had no trouble finding work when they returned to their hometowns or the general society. These cultured women also opened various classes for other women and girls.

At the end of the Edo period, the literacy rate in major European cities like London was 10-20%, while in cities like Edo (now Tokyo) and Osaka, it was 60-70%. Westerners who came to Japan with the intention of colonizing it were impressed by the orderly cities and the politeness of the Japanese people, thinking, "This is not a nation to be underestimated." Additionally, due to Japan being an island nation, it was free from invasions and wars by other countries and ethnic groups.

Such an environment has influenced most modern Japanese people to be pacifists, with little interest in what is happening in the world. However, the war in Ukraine, Hamas's invasion of Israel, North Korea's missile tests, and China's violations of other countries' territorial waters and airspace have all occurred in response to these events. In the face of these drastic changes in the world, even the Japanese have begun to feel a sense of crisis.

The world's situation is undoubtedly worsening. In fact, each country is now faced with the challenge of how to protect itself. Globalization, which has been promoted worldwide, has led to immigration and refugee issues reaching a critical level. Particularly in so-called advanced democratic countries, these problems are gradually destroying national politics and systems.

Major cities in the United States are being contaminated by drugs smuggled in from hostile countries, and they are unable to limit the influx of immigrants. In many cities, the number of police officers has been reduced, leading to an increase in crime and a continuous deterioration of public safety. Furthermore, in these countries and regions, the electoral system, which is fundamental to democracy, appears to be breaking down and becoming dysfunctional.

In 2017, the book "The Strange Death of Europe" made headlines in Europe. The book summarizes reports that excessive liberal ideology is driving European countries to the brink of death. With mass immigration from the Middle East, Africa, and former Eastern countries, Europe is already losing its good old European culture.

Then in 2018, the book "Silent Invasion" became a worldwide phenomenon. This is a report on the gradual corruption of Australian politics and its invasion by foreign powers. The foreign power referred to here is the Chinese Communist Party. Years after the publication of these books, a sense of national danger has finally spread to both Europe and Australia, and conservative politics has emerged.

These issues arise from people's thinking becoming extremely biased in one direction. When globalism goes too far, it can lead to the destruction of nations. What we need now are nationalist ideas, which are the opposite of globalism. These ideas are not inherently conflicting; rather, they should be well-balanced and coexist in harmony.

In his book, Shukumine explains the term " Aufheben " (止揚). This term means that two contradictory or opposing concepts or things conflict with each other, leading to a higher-level resolution. This idea is mentioned in Hegel's dialectics, and the term "dialectics" may be more commonly known in Japan.

Shukumine explains the "dialectic" in plain language at one of his students' camps. The content of the letter was, "When there is a conflict of interest, think in terms of multiplication and division, not addition and subtraction. Most of the conflicts and confrontations that occur in the world are caused by "Addition and Subtraction," and if between nations, this can lead to war.

Conflicts over resources and territory are precisely what gain and loss (interests) are about. Most human society, including economic activities, is also driven by profit and loss. The force and weapons used here are nothing more than deadly weapons that kill and maim people and destroy cities. In Bushido, military force is used only for escorts and peacekeeping. Therefore, he said, modern martial artists must think in a "Multiply and Divide" way, while maintaining martial power.

The "division" that he explains is scientific analysis. This is an analysis and comparison of data, numbers, or demonstrable events. And multiplication is the process of multiplying analyzed data to create new values. No personal preference, emotion, or gain or loss should be added to it. It "Multiplies" what has been scientifically analyzed to create new value. The "multiplication" that Shukumine describes is, in other words, creativity.

How would a modern martial artist analyze the conflict between globalism and nationalism, or between ethnic groups or religions, to provide answers and direction? This is the challenge before us, the remaining martial artists, and future leaders, as we approach the 100th anniversary of Shukumine Seiken's birth.

This book contains very little technical explanation of the Gensei-ryu and Taido. The main content consists of conversations and real-life insights from Shukumine Seiken (real name Harunori) and his son Shukumine Shudo (the author). It includes my memories from when I was old enough to understand, interviews with Shukumine during my involvement in editing the Taido Shinpō（Newspaper published by Shukumine） and transcriptions of these interviews. Additionally, I referred to underlined passages and notes in diaries and books left in Shukumine's study after his passing.

Because of this, Taido and Gensei-ryu karate are inseparable for me. It is also true that many experienced Gensei-ryu practitioners laid the foundation of Taido at the time of its inception. I am in the position of looking at the history and process of Taido and Gensei-ryu in terms of their respective legitimacy. We cannot ignore history and talk about the future. As Shukumine said, "The present is the point of contact between the past and the future."

Therefore, this book contains the author's personal opinions and is intended for general readers in addition to those who study Taido and Gensei-ryu karate. The content is from the perspective of a father and son of a martial artist and is intended to seek a broad understanding of martial arts as a part of Japanese culture. Furthermore, from the perspective of Japan culture, there are cases where we dare to use "martial arts" or "martial artists" instead of the names "Gensei-ryu karate" or "Taido".

Shukumine passed away on November 26, 2001. More than twenty years have already passed since then, and both Japan and the world continue to change at a dizzying pace. Our lives are surrounded by cutting-edge technologies such as AI, digital, internet, etc. How has the value of bushido changed over the generations now? And what will happen in the future? It is time for us to look to the future and examine the situation rationally and rationally. And in a world of turmoil, the final question is, "How do we live as human beings? “…Will be the question.

The publication of this book is planned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Shukumine Harunori's (Seiken) birth in 2025.