Requirements for Mastery Book by Takahide Kitagawa

The secrets of martial arts and life, shared by an author who has met more masters than anyone!

The 16 Conditions of a Master
◆ "Learning from a single touch"
◆ "Generously sharing the good"
◆ "Not fearing embarrassment" …and more.

In this book, the author, who introduced the allure of the Russian martial art "Systema" across Japan, reveals for the first time his own journey in martial arts exploration, recounting the true greatness of those legendary masters.

Within the path of Kitagawa-sensei, who turned despair into hope, you'll find guidance on how to live freely, authentically, and how to improve the world around you.
Recommended by Jeet Kune Do’s Togo Ishii!

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Wandering
What defines a master?
◇ Condition 1: "Continuously progressing"
The world beyond muscle power
From The Principles of Karate to the principles of ancient martial arts
The "Breathing" of Kenji Ushiro-sensei
◇ Condition 2: "Learning from a single touch"
The "Relaxation" of Hideo Takaoka
◇ Condition 3: "Excelling at articulation"
The "Katsugen Movement" of Noguchi Seitai
◇ Condition 4: "Remaining unfazed by the mysterious"
The intense training of the Kobuto-kai
◇ Condition 5: "Finding one's own problems and solutions"

Chapter 2: Conviction
Encountering Systema
First overseas Systema training
What I learned from Vladimir: "Keep moving"
Systema founder Mikhail Ryabko
Meeting Mikhail
◇ Condition 6: "Excelling at nurturing the next generation"
Touching the origins of Systema in an old church
The challenge of the instructor certification exam
Becoming a Systema missionary
◇ Condition 7: "Generously sharing the good"
Military Systema vs civilian Systema
Writing my first Systema book
Feeling powerless during disaster relief
◇ Condition 8: "Possessing an almost mad level of passion"
◇ Condition 9: "Knowing the power of precision"
Engaging with other martial arts
Mikhail’s teaching method of "Sottaku Douki" (a Zen concept of intuitive timing)
Spending time with Mikhail
◇ Condition 10: "Not over-teaching, waiting for the right moment to impart wisdom"
Systema comedian Minamikawa-san appears
The strategy of running Systema Tokyo gym
Battling the fear that envelops the world
Mikhail’s mysterious occurrences

Chapter 3: Alternating Current
Collaboration with Masahiro Shioda-sensei
From shoulder blades to fingertips – The wave
Becoming a martial arts YouTuber
Meeting a master incredibly strong in competitions
◇ Condition 11: "Having a fierce intellectual curiosity"
◇ Condition 12: "Not fearing embarrassment"
Martial arts as a form of communication
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a "common language"
Understanding the body through bodywork
◇ Condition 13: "Going to extremes"
Concepts of "relaxation," "tanden" (core), "axis," and "ki"
The attempt to popularize martial arts

Chapter 4: Propagation
Systema’s lack of flash
"Healing" – The core of Systema
Why is Systema's "healing" painful?
Offer to appear in action films
Aikido master Ryuuji Shirakawa – A brilliant blade
◇ Condition 14: "Not fearing the unknown"
Filming action scenes that "bring out the best in your opponent"
◇ Condition 15: "Creating synergy"
◇ Condition 16: "Sharing happiness"
Deepening the breath of the world

Author: Takahide Kitagawa
Head of Systema Tokyo. Certified Systema instructor by both the Moscow and Toronto headquarters. In 2008, he was certified as an instructor by Mikhail Ryabko in Moscow. His books include Introduction to Systema (BAB Japan), The Strongest Breathing Method: Systema Breathing (Magazine House), and he has supervised works such as Are You Enjoying Life? (Yakan Hikou). His DVDs include Systema Super Recovery Method: The Strongest Chiropractic and Penetrating Power. He is also set to appear in the 2025 film Hero's Legend (directed by Koichi Sakamoto).

Language: Japanese

Length: 248 pages

MB-SYS3