Welcome to this fifth episode of Liomugai, the podcast hosted by Lionel Reynaud and dedicated to the way of the sword, the spirit of Budo, and Japanese culture.

In this episode, we set out to discover two neighboring sites deeply united by history, but also by a powerful spiritual charge: the city of Hiroshima and the sacred island of Miyajima. More than just a travelogue, we explore these places through the martial lens and the philosophy of Budo.

In Hiroshima, we dive into the heart of human resilience in the face of the 1945 destruction. From the Atomic Bomb Dome to Hiroshima Castle and its surviving trees (the eucalyptus and the willow, true embodiments of the unshakeable samurai spirit), the city offers us a masterful lesson on the concept of Katsujinken — the "life-giving sword." This foundational principle reminds us that the ultimate mastery of martial arts does not aim for conflict, but for the preservation of peace.

We then cross the bay to reach Miyajima ("the shrine island"). There, we discover the history of its famous floating torii gate, its Shinto shrine shaped by the warrior Taira no Kiyomori, as well as the peaks of Mount Misen, a Buddhist cradle founded by the monk Kukai (Kōbō Daishi) in 806. You will learn how Miyajima's thousand-year-old sacred fire continues to burn today in the heart of Hiroshima, fueling the Flame of Peace.

At the end of the episode: For travelers short on time, I share my express two-day itinerary to visit these two locations optimally—a journey built on the essential rhythm of martial arts: Jo-Ha-Kyū (the beginning, the break, and the final acceleration).

👉 To learn more: Find the articles related to this episode, historical details on Hiroshima Castle, and deepen your knowledge of katas and Battodo on the official website: https://liomugai.com. Feel free to leave a comment to share your thoughts!

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Welcome to the 4th episode of the Liomugai Podcast! Today, we go beyond physical technique and blade alignment to explore the ultimate challenge of the martial arts practitioner: the mind.

Drawing from the teachings found on liomugai.com, this episode dives into the depths of the Zen philosophy that animates Mugai-ryū. We explore the foundational concept of Ken Zen Ichi Nyo (剣禅一如), which teaches us that the sword and Zen are one. Physical mastery thus becomes a vehicle for spiritual realization and the dissolution of the ego.

In this episode, we will cover in detail:

• Muga (無我) and Mu (無): Discover why the "Great Void" is not an absence, but an unlimited potential, much like the silence that makes music possible. We will look at how letting go of the "Self" and the ego allows for a pure cut, free of hesitation.
• Mushin (無心): The state of "No-Mind." Learn how to train your mind to act like a mirror, reflecting the opponent's movements — or everyday challenges — without judgment or computational delay.
• Fudōshin (不動心): The "Immovable Mind." Inspired by the metaphor of a perfectly calm pond and the unshakeable figure of the Buddhist deity Fudō Myō-ō, discover how to maintain total emotional stability, even in the heart of chaos or when facing the four diseases of the mind (fear, confusion, hesitation, and surprise).

Whether you are a practitioner of Battodo and Kenjutsu looking to perfect your art, or simply searching for ancient principles to manage stress and find calm in modern life, this journey to the heart of Zen is for you.

To dive deeper into these concepts and discover the history of the founder Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi, visit liomugai.com. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review!

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Why handle a katana in the 21st century? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of the samurai, far from the clichés of the battlefield, to explore a true spiritual quest through the art of drawing the sword: Iaido.

Discover the secrets of Mugai-ryū, a traditional school founded in 1693 by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi, an outstanding swordsman who became a Zen monk. We decode how this pure martial practice, free of any superfluous movement, became a genuine path toward spiritual awakening (Satori).

On the agenda for this episode:

• The history of Mugai-ryū: How a Zen poem meaning "There is nothing outside the Unique Truth" gave its name to this legendary Edo-period school.
• The Sword and Zen are One (Ken Zen Ichi Nyo): Understanding how each codified movement (Kata) becomes a moving meditation (Ritsuzen) to achieve Mushin—that state of an empty mind, liberated from the ego, illusions, and fear.
• The realism of combat (Iai Hyōdō): Why the school uses this specific term with the kanji "Hyō" (the soldier/strategy) to recall its visceral anchoring in martial reality, refusing to let Iaido become just a "vague, empty dance." We will also talk about the importance of Kenjutsu and actual target cutting (Tameshigiri).
• An answer to modern stress: How the demands of this practice and grounding yourself in the split second where the blade leaves the scabbard ("the eternal present") offer a powerful way to navigate the stress and turmoil of our contemporary society.

The modern art of the sword is not meant to destroy the other, but to build oneself and find inner clarity. Plug in your headphones and let yourself be transported into this exploration where physical rigor meets peace of mind!

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Explore the profound intersection of Japanese spirituality, art, and martial discipline through the shadow of Japan’s most sacred peak. In this episode, we journey to the slopes of Mount Fuji to discover its dual nature: not just a majestic volcano, but a shintai—the living, physical body of the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime.

We trace how the legendary artist Hokusai revolutionized woodblock prints using vibrant Prussian Blue to capture Fuji as a silent witness to humanity.

Moving down the mountain, we explore the sacred Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha shrine, built by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to appease the earth's fiery wrath, and the icy, volcanic waters of Shiraito Falls, where pilgrims still practice misogi (cold-water purification).

Finally, we wander through Arigatayama, the "Mountain of Gratitude," to stand among a silent crowd of 1,800 red-bibbed Jizo statues guarding the souls of travelers and children.

This episode offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual geography of Japan, where nature, history, and the martial mindset dissolve into one.

Based on the insights of Lionel Reynaud.

Discover more articles and videos on the Way of the Sword at liomugai.com or follow @liomugai on Instagram and YouTube.

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Welcome to the very first episode of Liomugai, the podcast dedicated to the Way of the Sword and the Zen of training.

I am your host, Lionel Reynaud. After a twenty-year career as a high-level cycling coach on the World Tour and at the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016), my passion for martial arts caught up with me.

While I now teach Uechi-Ryu Karate around the world, I am speaking to you here simply as a passionate student.

The name Liomugai (莉雄無外) is the fusion of my first name and the term Mugai, which means "without borders." It reflects my journey across France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Japan, and my desire to connect martial arts practitioners of all backgrounds.

In this introductory episode, we lay the foundations of our journey:

• What is Mugai-ryū? Discover this traditional school of swordsmanship (Koryu) founded in 1693 during the Edo period by the samurai Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi. An art where formidable efficiency meets spiritual asceticism.
• The Sword and Zen: We explore the concept of Ken Zen Ichi Nyo (The Sword and Zen are One), born from the founder's spiritual awakening. Zen is not just about silent sitting; it is expressed in the precision of a cut in Battodo or the fluidity of an Iaido kata.
• The podcast's objective: Beyond technique, this audio journal is an invitation to discover Japanese history and culture, as well as the founding principles of Budo.

Whether you are a martial arts practitioner, passionate about Japan, or simply curious to discover a discipline where technical rigor meets mental peace, this podcast is for you.

⚠️ Safety Warning: The content of this podcast is shared for informational purposes. Sword techniques are demanding and potentially dangerous. Never attempt to replicate them without the supervision of a qualified instructor in a recognized Dojo.

🔗 Episode Links and Resources:

• Official Website: liomugai.com
• Follow my training in Japan on Instagram: @liomugai
• Watch my videos on YouTube: @liomugai

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