Keeping the Arroceros Forest Park - The Last Lung of Manila.

     Manila is the capital city of the Philippines where different historical  places can be found and visited.  Here lies the great walls of intramuros,  Rizal park and more than a century old churches.   Being one of the most highly urbanized and populated cities in the country,  it earned the title of "the most polluted city" due to highly congestion brought about by over crowding and lack of discipline among the local residents.  Though there is a significant improvement and changes brought about by the strong political will of the president, transforming Manila into a clean and free from pollution is still far from being achieved. 

     But in a very polluted highly urbanized domain that many are not aware of lies a great canopy - a small area of forest known as the " Arroceros forest park -The last lung of Manila."   The Arroceros forest park is the only place in Manila that is free from pollution.   I had a chance to visit the miniature forest and indeed it was remarkable knowing that there is one place in Manila that is very clean and very green.  With the chirping sound of many  birds and the smell of trees, it's hard to believe that you're actually in Manila. 

The Arroceros forest park facing the Pasig river
- Photo courtesy Heritage Collection -

     The Arroceros forest park is located in Antonio Villegas st.,  just a walking distance from Intramuros.  It is 2.2 hectares ( 5.4 acres ) that is home of 61 species of trees,  10 species of birds and 8000 ornamental plants.   Trees that can be found here including those that are more than century old are as follows:  Acasia Mangium,  Acasia auriculiformis,  African tulip tree,  Agoho,  Anahaw, Bayan bunga de china,  Dapdap, Eucalyptus,  Ficus,  Benjamina,  Fire tree,  Indian tree,  Kamagong,  Mahoganny,  McArthur palm,  Molave,  Narra ( the biggest ), Neem, Rain tree,  Rattan,  Rubber tree, Talisay, Teak,  Tiesa and Yucca.   Since the forest park has these series of trees, it helps in cleaning and keeping the air breathable  of the polluted city.   But now it faces a new threat of imminent doom.   In 17th of July 2017,   Joseph Estrada who is current mayor of Manila had proposed to cutdown the trees and had his mindset to establish a gymnasium of Universidad De Manila ( University of Manila) for sports and recreational purposes.   This proposal of the city mayor had caught the attention of media, environmentalists and other conservationalist groups that lead to strong protest against the plan to establish the gymnasium just to save the " Manila's last lung."  But it was feared that such relevant protest may be ignored. 

Background History

     In the early Spanish colonial period,  the area where the forest park stands now used to be a part of the so-called  " Parian."  it was a Chinese trading settlement.   In the 19th century, it was the site of the Compania General de Tabacos de Felipinas during the early American period.  It was then transformed into a military garrison which housed the " Signal corps" at the Cuartel de infanteria and the Surgeon general's office at the Estado mayor.   After the WWII,  the barracks were converted into the head quarters of the Department of Education.

- Photo courtesy of Pinoy Collector -

     In 1993, after the Department of Education transferred to Pasig and through a memorandum, the agreement between the city of Manila and the Winner foundation supported by the former first lady Amelita Ramos, it was agreed  to leave the location for the development of the forest park by the private environmental group.  With the initial of more than century old trees that survived the war, the park now has more than three thousand trees by the Manila seedling park.  Since then the park was referred to as " the last lung of Manila - the Arroceros forest park. "

Top view of the Arroceros forest part ( left ) and Pasig river.
- Photo courtesy of Brigada GMA News info -

The First Political Turmoil 

     In 2003, the forest park became the subject of controversy when the former mayor Lito Atienza ordered it's closure to give way to the construction of school administration and teacher's dormitory.  Large portion of the park despite the strong protest, the construction claimed eigth thousand trees.   After the buildings were completed,  the forest park was reopened in 2007.

Photo of school administration and teacher's dormitory.  The construction of this establishment in a portion of the forest park had claimed eigth thousand trees. 

The Imminent Threat

     In 2008,  the former president Noynoy Aquino asked the civic group to vacate the Arroceros forest park with in 30 days.  The memo included legalities stating that the Winner Foundation should have returned and turned over the property to the city of Manila.  The foundation's 15 year development plan agreement which was extended until 2013 had lapsed. 

      In July 7, 2017, the current mayor Ejercito Estrada had a strong mindset and firmly proposed for the establishment of Manila University's gymnasium.  The said university needed to upgrade it's  facilities to be granted accommodation to give way to the establishment of the so-called gym.   The proposed gym would surely occupy almost 5.4 acres of the forest park that would certainly lead to the cutting down of almost all  the trees. 

The Relevant Protest

     The plan of establishing a gymnasium  has become a controversial issue among environmentalists and other concerned groups.  Many wrote an open letter to the office of the city of Manila to consider preserving the forest  park since it is the only one left in the city.   Many had accused the mayor for neglecting and not giving importance to significant role of the trees in helping keeping the air clean.   Some have even mocked him for not having a "common sense"  for not realizing the importance of trees and knowing that Manila has been suffering from heavy air pollution and destroying the forest can only worsen the situation.

- Photo courtesy of Joma Sulit -

     Because of the strong protest made by different groups of conservationists, the mayor later differed his desicions to reacquire the land after meeting with members of the Winners Foundation Club and other environmentalist groups.  Though as of now,  the construction of the gym may have to wait for a while but still the pending doom of the forest park awaits and there is no certainty that the mayor of Manila will consider keeping it.   A group of environmentalist  -"Gising Maynila ( Wake up Manila) "  posted on social media about fighting for the Arroceros forest park to conserve it and hoping it would reach the President's attention.  President Duterte has been known for his strong political will when it comes to environmental matters.   He was able to give way for the successful rehabilitation of Boracay,  Pasig river and the esteros of Manila. 

     Well,  indeed many have completely  forgotten about what the trees can do for us. Trees are the ones who are responsible for giving us clean and breathable air. Here in the Philippines, many forest were destroyed just to have spaces for different malls and modern establishments to be erected.  It is very frustrating to know that many have become deluded with modernization that many trees has to be sacrificed just to give way to these modern structures .  It is appalling to realize that many politicians and oligarchs are preoccupied with greed and ambitions that had caused many harms indirectly to people by destroying and not conserving our natural resources.  I hope and look forward that the battle to keep the Arroceros forest is far from futile.  It is the only one remaining in the city and the last lung of Manila.

Sources

www.facebook.com/gisingmaynila

www.wheninmanila.com

www.spot.ph

www.newsinfo.net

The Bells of Balingiga - The Bells of Bloodshed

     It was on the news both online and tv news programs that the historical bells of Balingiga is now being returned to the Philippines after all of these years requesting for them to be returned.  But what are these bells? What are the stories behind this historical relics?  Why are they in Wyoming and why are the people Wyoming specially  the governor consistently refused to give them back and what's  in it for the people of Balingiga of the eastern visayas?   Many people in both United States and the Philippines shared common story of  a bloody and gruesome history behind religious relics.  These bells were taken away by the American infantry as a war trophy or booty.

Photo of  Balingiga bells in Wyoming 

The two faces of massacres in Balingiga.

Photo of the Balingiga church: Date unknown 

     Balingiga is a small town in the eastern Samar of the visayan island.   After  the Spanish-American war,  it was followed by the short period of the Filipino-American war.  The 9th infantry of the US army occupied the town Balingiga in 1901.  It was here when the two massacres  on both sides between Filipinos and Americans took place and both were very gruesome.

The massacre of the American Soldiers.

A portrait of villagers running out of the Balingiga
church some were dressed like women with
their jungle bolos after the bells were sounded
signaling the attack. 

A portrait of the gruesome butchering of the American soldiers

Anothet portrait of the massacre of the American soldiers

     In August 11 of 1901 the 9th infantry of the US army arrived in the small town of Balingiga.  At first there was a harmonious relationships between the american soldiers and the villiager of Balingiga and it was so peaceful during that time but in the second week of September everything went different  when the Americans discovered realized that the Filipino guerrillas ( Filipino soldiers who were fighting against the Americans)  had arrived in the town.  With the strong suspicion of surprise attack from the infamous guerrillas, the American infantry carried out drastic measures of strictness among the villagers.  Men were gathered, bolos were confiscated and villagers were deprived of food and water.   There was also a report of water torture carried out among suspected guerillas. Such strictness were considered inhumane.   Filipino villagers sought to drive the Americans out of Balinga carried a plan to get back to the Americans.
       In the eve of a festivity,  Filipino gathered pretended to be partaking of the preparation of the festivity.  They brought tuba ( a liquor made from coco water) and were given to the Americans.  In the early morning of September 28 of 1901, the bells of Balingiga church were sounded and roared the air that morning signalling the onset the attack.   Men who were dressed like women carried out their sharp jungle bolos started butchering the drunk American soldiers cutting them into pieces one by one.   Many were massacred but few managed to fight back.  Since the assailants didn't have guns, the 28 remaining soldiers were able to get their riffles and fired and the murderers were driven away leaving 36 deaths including Major Richard S.  Griswold and Captain Thomas Cornwel.


The massacre of Filipino villagers and the burning of the town. 

General Jacob H.  Smith

     After the atrocious and horrific massacre, General Jacob H.  Smith went furious that he ordered his men to gather all men 10 years old and above to be shot down.  Many were taken and placed in regimens and were shot to death.  He also ordered that houses should be burned down.  " The interior of Samar must be made of a howling wilderness!" as he commanded Major Littleton Waller.   Indeed many men were shot to death and a total of 255 houses were burned down and the town of Balingiga turned into a land of fire.   The following day the air was filled with mourn and the small town were filled with bodies.  The three bells of the Balingiga church were taken as a war trophy.

Photo of the 28 American soldiers who survived the horrific massacre
with a young Filipino boy and one of the Balingiga bells

The seized Balingiga bells that served as a war booty

Photo of Balingiga massacre
General Jacob H. Smith ordered
to kill every male over 10 years old
- Picture from NewYork journal on
May 5,1902

Photo of General Jacob Smith and his staff inspects the ruins of Balangiga in October of 1901, a few weeks after the US punitive mission by Captain Brook Miller and his troops

The demand for the return of the Balingiga bells. 

     After the bells were taken away by the American soldiers as war booty, they were pass on from one place to another until they were made commemorative relics which are now in Wyoming.  The Philippine government after a century demanded from the American  government to return the bells to their rightful place.  The former president Fidel Ramos was the first president of the Philippines to make such request and followed by those who succeeded him but such request turned out to be denied and futile.   It can also be recalled that current President Rodrigo Duterte in his 2017 state of the nation address also demanded from the US to return the Balingiga bells and for the first time,  it was heard.
     Suprizingly there were also well known American figures who supported the demands for the return of the historical relics.  Dana Rohrabacher a US congressman stated that he was horrified when he found that there was a national treasure of the Philippines kept in the United States soil.   " The bells of Balangiga touch the souls of Filipinos and should not be taken lighlty and the  fact they have not been taken back, it doesn't speak of us ( Americans). "  Dana Rohrabacher stated.   Jack Silverman an American documentarist who used to be in Balingiga also supported the demands of the return of the bells.   According to him,  the villagers of Balingiga have good sense of history.  The bells represent their culture, religious beliefs, history and the most important of all is the struggle for freedom and independence.  Logan Clark an international  investigator who shares the sentiment of returning the bell.  He is known  retrieving possessions and giving them back to their righful owners and also individuals who were returned to their families  who were victim of  human trafficking.  He stayed in the Philippines for so many years and made a research of the Balingiga bells.   He consulted Dana Rohrabacher about this and made it as another of special mission.  He raised fund for this and made a special team to help get the bells back to the Philippines he also made moves to creat full awareness of the relics wity the special help of media personnels.  Xander Berkelley  an American activist also have the same compassion for the return of a historical treasure to the Philippines.  He stated that when a religious  artifacts were stolen and if peace has been established and if such religious relics in laguish in obscurity in a foreign land,  they needed to be returned

 The granted demand.

Photos of Secretary James Mattis and Philippine Ambassador
Jose Manuel Romualdes at the ceremony of Wyoming in
November 15, 2018 marking the process to return the Balangiga
bells to the Philippines

Photo of Balingiga bells after being removed and to be
 returned to the Philippines
- Photo courtesy of Dave Miller

      After so many request demanding to return the historical bells to it's rightful place and supports from concened figures,   they were finally heard.  The US government and the governor of Wyoming has finally agreed to return the Balingiga bells to the Philippines.   In November 15, 2018 Secretary James Mattis and Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez held a ceremony in Wyoming marking the process to return the Balingiga bells to the Philippines.  The bells will be mounted  again in towers of Balingiga church and the villagers of Balingiga are excited to see the bells once more that represents their religious culture.

      Well,  these bells may have been used to signal the attack of the early villagers that lead to the horrendous incidents to both Americans and Filipinos but with the return of the relics to Balingiga, these will help to forget the nightmare that occured 117 years ago and establish better relationships.  These are some of the historical treasures and tokens of friendships that will be shared by both Americans and Filipinos though they were once the bells of bloodshed.

The Balingiga church nowadays 

Sources:

www.philstar.com
www.businessmirror.com.ph
www.UNTVweb.com
www.abs-cbnnewsonline.com
Tomedsvideolog


   

   

   


   

The New Boracay

    Boracay had it's soft opening in October 15, 2018 and it is one of the most likely talk about issue today next to election.  It is being tackled on online media particularly in Facebook and Tweeter. Those who supported the rehabilitation of the so-called "pristine paradise" are now rejoicing and applauded the job well done by the current Philippine administration under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.  Perhaps this would make it as one of his highly successful achievements this year.  The supporters of the Philippine president and environmentalists are now using the social media to attack the critics and the oppositions for discrediting the president's plan to rehabilitate the wonderful paradise.  There are photos and videos posted showing the successfull results of the rehabilitation of Boracay.

Photo of Boracay during the late 70s
As you can see there were only nipa huts but now the huts were replaced by modern establishments

Background.

     Boracay island paradise became popular during the 70s.  Filipinos enjoyed much of it's pearly white sand and emerald green-colored water. Gradually during the 80s, it earned the reputation of as one of the most beautiful white sand beach paradise in the world.   Since then, tourists from around the world started to flock boracay making it as one of the top tourist's destinations in the country.  In the 90s,  the boracay from beimg a humble paradise became highly commercialized due to the increase number of visitors.  Small nipa huts were replaced by motels ,restaurants and casinos and as time went on more commercial establishments were built and the local government units due to good revenue brought about by tourism became lenient on giving business permits without thorough inspection and not realizing the dangers of pollution and overused.  There were reports of water pollution and formation  algae along the shores brought about by human waste dumped directly  to the sea  due to the alleged improper sewage system and improper and illegal connections of pipeline of different establishments.  There were many attempts by the previous administration to close Boracay to rehabilitate it but because of the fear of the lost of revenue brought about by tourism,  rehabilitation were not carried out.

     Last February of 2018, a concerned citizen posted a video  about a dark and ghastly liquid comming out of a drainage directly towards the sea which intendedly made as a drainage of rain water.  This video went viral online.   It was then realized the allegations of improper sewage system and illegal connections of pipelines of different commercial establishments were true and the local government unit leniency in providing business permit were proven and such violations were carried out.

The polluted Boracay dubbed as cesspool before  the closure
In this photo you can see algae along the shoreline

The Closure of the Paradise.

     President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay and stated that it became a cesspool.  He ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR ) secretary Roy Cimatu to clean up the tourist destination Boracay for Six months.

     " I told Cimatu in a general meeting,  he was assigned here,   I will give you six months to clean the g*****thing.  I will close Boracay, Boracay is a cesspool.  You go into the water, it's  smelly.  Smells of what?  Shit! "  President Rodrigo said.

     The president was serious about it and the boracay was closed for rehabilitation started April 26 and will be reopened October 26, 2018.  The environmentalist and his supporters  applauded this but his critics strongly opposed .

The critics who strongly opposed the rehabilitation of Boracay
Senator Antonio Trillanes on upper left,  Maria Ressa in the middle left, Joven Laurio in the lower left,  Raissa Robles in the lower right and Senator Francis "kiko" Pangilinan on the upper right

The Rise of the Antagonizers. 

     Since Rodrigo Duterte bacame the President of Philippines though he has legions of supporters, there were those who stood firmly against him.   These are the members of Liberal Party,  Catholic clergy and and pro-Liberal party journalists and bloggers.   These are  the active critics of the current administration and will use every means to discredit anyone who are not the their side and non-members of the Liberal party.   The President's  political will to save Boracay was not spared by his antagonizers and made strong allegations  regarding this matter. They often claimed that there was an scheming agenda behind it and not really a pro-environment act.  Such allegations were claimed by the oppositions as only a front to give way to a rich Chinese business man to establish a mega casino in the island.

      Senator Antonio Trillanes was the number one critic of the President.  In the Boracay issue, he accused the President as giving favor to a rich Chinese business man to establish a casino in the island that suspension of Boracay was the period of constructing the alleged  casino but he could not show evidences to verify his allegations.  Now, that the Boracay is undergoing dry-run as a part of the soft openning,  no mega casino was seen.

     Senator Francis " Kiko " pangilinan is another member of the Liberal party strongly opposed the rehabilitation  of Boracay,   he mentioned that it would be a waste of people's money  he also denounced the 600 personel from police,  armed forces and coastguards sent by the President to ensure safety. He added that Boracay was not war zone but an island paradise and having an infantry was inappropriate.   The senator was slamned  by a journalist Raffy Tulfo,  Raffy Tulfo was a well known supporter  of the president and a courageous critic of  Liberal Party.   He discovered why the Senator Francis Pangilinan wanted to stop the rehabilitation of Boracay was because the wedding celebration that he was attending  in which the venue was in Boracay was going to be cancelled because of the closure.  Raffy Tulfo stated that it was a childish  and selfish resentment of the senator.

     Maria Ressa of Rappler also strongly opposed the rehabilitation of Boracay.   She's  known as " the voice of the Liberal party."  She was a former news anchor of CNN and a former head of ABS-CBN news corporation and now the CEO of the online news Rappler.   She has been constantly known for discrediting the President  all throughout since Rodrigo Duterte became the elected president.  She was cynic and pragmatic.  She mentioned in one of her articles that rehabilitation of Boracay was a fool's  dream and such goal could never be achieved.   Because of being a constant critic of the President, she earned Ire among the supporters and accused her of  being " the queen of fake news and a precursor of lies. "  Rappler and Maria Ressa are now suffering the bad reputation of unreliable source of news.

     Raissa Robles and Joven Laurio of  Pinoy Ako Blog are some of the bloggers who also stood against the current administration and made strong alliance with the Liberal Party.   They supported the allegations of Senator Antonio Trillanes about the Boracay.  They are the most active bloggers of the opposition.  Up to now they're still posting articles discrediting the President and his allies.  But bloggers who support the President are far more intrepid and vigilant.   Raissa Robles and Joven Laurio would end up as the underdogs and were often ridiculed  and bullied by their counter part bloggers .   The deadly duo were often regarded as the " hideous and the beast" because of their appearances.  Even I had an heated argument with Robles online.


In The Midst of Restoration.

     Despite the very strong opposition and critism of the rehabilitation of Boracay,   President Rodrigo Duterte still carried out the plan to restore it and pursued the goal to save the troubled paradise. There were those who stood behind his back.   Ms. Imee Marcos and Bong bong Marcos ( son and daughter of the former president Ferdinand Marcos ) had strongly supported him.   Bong bong Marcos  in one of his interviews with Raffy Tulfo stated that no President after his father had ever dared to close Boracay despite the possible lose of revenue brought about by tourism and only President Duterte who brave enough to do it.   Gina Lopez a former secretary of the Development of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)  shared the same sentiment.  During her interview with Karen Davila of Philippine CNN stated that she had no idea of the whole reason behind the closure of Boracay but saving the environment is the most important.
     During the 6 months of rehabilitation,  there were great numbers of violations that were discovered.  200 cases of violation by 116 establishments found violating the Philippine clear water act,   77 cases of violation of the Philippine clean air act,  5 for violating both laws and 9 cases of opetating without environmental compliance act.  Sewage facilities of at least 578 establishments had been inspected and only 385 were found to be connected to thr sewage line of the island's water and sewage system providers and the rest dumped untreated sewage directly to the sea.   Squatters were also found living on the wetlands of the island who had no adequate toilets dumping human waste directly towards the water contributing to a severe water pollution.  The local government units will face possible charges of negligence and leniency on issuing business permits without proper and thorough inspections.

     As the rehabilitation went by, people had seen progress.   Bloggers and other journalists helps to update citizens.  Mocha uson was one of the bloggers had constantly post videos and photos of the progress of rehabilitation since day one.

The photos of the newly restored beauty of Boracay

Cesspool No More.

     The administration began the soft opening in October 15, 2018. It's  dry-run will continue up to October 26, 2018.

      From being dubbed as "cesspool," the island is " now a sight to behold, " environment secretary Ray Cimatu said in a program for Boracay's opening dry-run.  During the dry-run,  government will check the island's water quality, solid waste management and transportation system.   Now we have seen the all new Boracay,  maintenance is very appropriate.  Once the island re-opens on the 3rd week of October, officials vowed to implement new rules to preserve what they've promised to save the pristine island.


The Dos and Donts.

     People can now enjoy the new Boracay.  It can also be our legacy for the generations to come.   The goal of rehabilitation was indeed a successful achievement and we all did it.   I guess those critics who strongly opposed this must be dumbfounded by now. Oblivious to facts I should say.   It may have been difficult but looking back at what the current administration has done,  it has been a, rewarding six months for all of us now we have the new and more pristine Boracay.

The Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
The great man behind the restoration of Boracay

Sources

newinfoinquirer.net
mochausonblog
cnnphilippines.com
abs-cbnonline







   




 

The Spirit of Budo: The History of Japan's Martial Art

     Japan's history and culture is one of the world's finest.  From their most infamous warriors to the aspect of arts, they truly speak from themselves  and signify a profound meaning.  Japan's  history and culture are my favorite.   We have seen alot of them from movies, stories and tv series.  Japan's  art works is the one that facinates me.  Simple and yet colorful.  What is so amazing is that up to now, the Japanese still manage to keep their traditions alive and the younger generation are proud to carry them on.

     I had a privilege to see their wonderful culture expressed through exhibit.  The Japanese foundation is proud to share a portion of their amazing history through exhibits  at the Philippine National Museum called " The Spirit of Budo: The History Japan's Martial Arts. "

    You can learn from the exhibits about the history of war , the production of historical weapons and the techniques of combats and  used  of weaponry in the battle that evolved and to the formation of martial arts , how they were utilized put into organizations and how the Japanese society benefits from them.   It was very interesting how they came up with different organizations and federations of martial arts such as Karatedo, Kendo,  Kyuodo, Sumo,  Naginata Shorinji Kempo, Jukendo,  Judo and aikido to promote peace and discipline among the Japanese society.

     The Spirit of Budo:

Insigna of the Japanese Budo Association 

     The Spirit of Budo is simply the spirit of Japan's martial arts practice with strict standard without the influence of western culture or background with an ideology of pure Japanese origin.  In order to keep the practice of Budo along with the different association of martial arts, the Japanese foundation created the  " Japanese Budo Associtation."  This organization waa established to unite all federations of martial arts originated in Japan and keep them as firm and strong organizarion.

     The Japanese Budo Association  started and was inaugurated in April 23, 1977 consiting of ten groups:  the All Japan Judo Federation,  all Japan Kendo Federation, all Nippon Kyudo Federation,  the Japan Sumo Renmei Foundation,  the Karatedo Federation, the Aikikai Foundation,  the Shorinji Kempo Federation,  the all Japan Jukendo Federation and the Nippon Budokan Foundation.   The Budo Federation helps to promote contact and harmonious relations among members of different organizations and  encourages the enhancement of the spirit of martial arts among these groups.  In addition the association helps to stress the nurturing of healthy minds, bodies and strengths especially for the education of young people and contribute peace and welfare.


     Objectives:

1.  Contact and harmony among federated organizations.
2.  Comprehensive plans and administration of martial-arts-related events. 
3.  Comprehensive martial-arts-related study,  research and collection of materials.
4.  Issuance of martial-arts-related publications.
5.  Preservation of old martial arts. 
6.  Improvement of statues instructors.
7.  Awards for meritorious services.
8.  In promotion of martial arts responds to government inquiries, makes suggestions to government and related institutions and cooperates in implementing  them. 
9.  Other activities as necessary to achieve the preceding objectives.

       The Japanese Foundation sharing the ideology of the Spirit of Budo to other countries.  Currently they are having exhibits in the Philippines at the National Musuem.  In this exhibition,  audiences may learn about brief history of Japanese martial arts - from traditional battlefield combat techniques (Bujutsu)  to popular sports or physical exercise tampering body and spirit (budo),  though originals and reproductions of historical weapons such as bows and arrows,  suits of armor, helmet and other material art gear.  The exhibition  also includes materials and photo panels of popular sports and physical exercise such as kendo,  karate,  judo,  sumo,  jukendo and more.  

     The exhibition consist of two parts:  The first part (gallery 27) consist of reproductions and originals of historical weapon such as bows and arrows,  suits of armor, helmets and so on are shown  and the development and changes of the Japanese martial arts of the 8th century to 9th century are explained.   Many of the ancient types of armor and weapons did not survived and became too fragile to be transported.

Exhibits of historical weaponry and suits of armor
in gallery XXVII

Replicas of historical bows and arrows 

The Osaka Natsu Nojin Byobo
(Folding Screen)
Scenes from the summer of siege of Osaka castle

Helmet (Kawari kabuto) : Ichi-no-tani canyon
The ichi-no-tani canyon was a famous site of ancient battle in the 12th century wars.  This are the types of helmets worn.   The shape of the cow or bull with it's full power visible at a glance, symbolized the strength of an animal.   The helmet was made of paper and wood making it light and not as heavy as it may have appeared.  These type of helmets were worn by the prominent warriors in the Osaka Natsu Nojin Byobo (Scene illustrated on the folding screen shown above). 

Catfish Helmet
A typical fashion of helmets in times of actual conflict. They were worn by multiple warriors and were adorned with gold and silver foil making it light to wear.  Infront of the helmet is a shape of a dragon fly symbolized that it always goes forward and never turns back

Kawari Kabuto helmet with stag antlers and Kawari Kabuto false head
These helmets were also used by prominent warriors in the Osaka Natsu nojin Byobo

Illustration of Bushi
Date: unkown (end of 19th century) 

Armor of Mogamido Haramaki type with Suji Kabuto helmet
Reproduction: Miura Hiromichi
Height: 150 cm
This is a replica of Haramaki armor used during the Muromachi period.  High quality of iron from Mogami area were used to make this well designed armor by the Mogamido Haramaki.  Helmets were made from 12 hemispherical iron plates with half moon displayed in front making the warrior's insigna.

Armor of O-Yoroi type with Hoshi Kabuto helmet
Reproduction: Takatsu Sousyarubi Jiyutsu
Height: 150 cm
This is a replica built with numbers of representative parts.  The torso and the left side of the armor are made in series and the right side is not superimposed.  The aperture is covered by waidate.  The front is covered with hide to avoid arrow penetration and prevent catching the bowstring when engaged in horseback archery that extends from shoulder to sleeves.

Illustrated scroll of the sword (katana)
Date : unkown (end of 19th century

The han-dachi sword mounting with paulowina leaf motif and ground of black lacquer containing ground mother-of-pearl
Length: 103.5 cm

The Uchigatana sword mounting of red and lacquer
Date: unknown (end of 19th century)
Catfish decoration on the menubi (grip decoration) is a distinctive characteristic. The scabbard is a rather strange type of lacquer which was not for official use but desired for daily samurai use. 

Sword mounting as "Higo-goshirae" of shagreen coated with black lacquer
Date: unknown (end of 19th century)
Length: 88.5 cm
Type of sword used in the actual battle of Momoyama period in Higo no kemi (now Kumamoto prefecture).  It has a shorter blade which is the characteristic of this sword with small guard.   After coating with lacquer, the scabbard was polished to produce star-shaped patterns.
 

Uchigatana sword mounting of black lacquer
Date: unknown (end of 19th century)
Length: 101 cm

   The second part (gallery 28) deals with different organizations of bujutsu that originated from the 19th to 20th century  and how the spirit of martial arts remains inherent among the Japanese nowadays.



The organizations of martial arts:

The Judo Institute

Inauguration: 1949

     The Judo institute was founded by Kaho Jigoro (1860 - 1938).  He was weak child and began training in the tradition of combat grappling art known as 'Jujutsu' in his youth, in order to become stronger.  Koho developed a technique by consolidating different forms of martials and incorporated his own technique with the application of  " Ju yoku go oseiso " (skillful application of flexibility to defeat strength).  This technique was developed further into self oriented principle of "Ju" which is now known as "Judo."  The Judo advocates the idea of the most efficient use of mental and physical power and " Seiryoku Zenyo " (maximum efficiency).

All Japan Kendo Federation

Kendo practice gear

Inauguration: 1952

Formation and Concepts:

     The transition  of skills of swordmanship (Kenjutsu)  was vital for Japan's medivial warriors  (bushi) or samurai who were dorned with magnificent suits of armor and engaged into mortal combats with their katana in the battlefield.
     By the 18th century,  the bushi developed bamboo swords (shinai) and protective gear (bogu) that resembled the a traditional armor.  With these developments,  trainees could engage into full combat,  kenjutsu exercises and matches without the fear of injury. By the end of the Edo period, this full contact form of kenjutsu became popular not only among bushi but to commoners as well and was widely practiced.
     After the Meiji restoration in 1968, the class distinction was abolished and bushi ceased to exist and with the introduction of the western weaponry, swords were no longer considered as tools for combat or battle.   But the kenjutsu training with bamboo swords was carried on as a form of physical education.  In 1911 the kenjutsu training was permitted to be carried out at the secondary-school level.  The term 'kenjutsu ' (sword technique) was changed to 'kendo' (way of the sword).

Early illustration of kendo

Japan Karatedo Federation 

Inauguration: 1964

Formation and Concepts:

     The Japan Karatedo Federation was created to unify all various  of karate groups since the karate has become an integral part of physical education culture.  The JKF is a single organization representing mainstream Japanese karate world.   It is made of various prefectural and regional groups, school, university and worker groups.  The JKF also provides a common thread connecting these various  groups and in addition, it also makes efforts to promote  karate as a sport beneficial to humanity and society.

Training items in Karatedo

Karate sport wear which is also used in aikido and Judo

Characteristics:

     Karate was developed in Okinawa as a form of self  defense that utiluzes the whole body to execute thrust, strikes and kicks against aggressor. Since it's  demonstration in tokyo in 1922, it became popular all throughout Japan.

All Nipon Kyudo Federation 

Inauguration: 1949

     Kyudo is the Japanese form  of archery.  The all Nipon Kyudo Federation  is sanctioned by the Ministry of Sports, Science and Technology  to promote promote the traditional culture of the Japanese archery (Kyudo)  as a form of physical and spiritual exercise.

History and Concepts: 

     The Kyudo had continuously evolved since it was recorded.  The bow was used in various  of etiquette and rituals by emperors and counters.  After the demise of the bushi, the kyudo was practiced as budo (martial way) with the depiction on educational principles.  After the WWII, the kyudo regained it's  popularity as sport and receational activity.

Illustration of Kyudo used in early times

Japan Sumo Renmei Foundation

Inauguration: 1952

Concepts:

     Sumo is known to be the Japanese form of wrestling. It is probably one of the most popular sports.  The Japan Sumo Renmei  Foundation supervises amateur sumo wrestlers , helps to  promote them as  representatives of organizations and promote mind and body development among people.

History  and characteristics:

     Sumo is a competitive sports in which two wrestlers grapple with each other and strive to win by matching strength and technique. This sport originated thousands of years ago in the Nara and Heian periods.   It was a court banquet sumo during the Kamakura and Mayoyama periods; in Edo period it was the imperial inspection sumo and presently it is known as grand tournament sumo.

     There are three basic prohibitions:  no bitting,  no striking and no kicking.  The bouts begin in a circular platform in which this system is a basic form dated way back from the 16th century (imperial inspection sumo).  The winner is determined by two basic rules: 1) The first person to touch the ground with any part of the body other than soles of his feet loses.  2) The first person to be pushed out of the ring loses.   The basic of sumo technique involves 'attack ' that is pushing and grappling.

Illustration of Imperial Inspection Sumo during the Edo period

All Japan Naginata Federation 

Inauguration: 1955

Formation and Concepts:

     After the ban was imposed on Budo in immediate post war era,  this federation was inaugurated in 1955 to promote naginata as a modern martial art.  Nagita is being practiced at many and senior high-school clubs.  Membership is rapidly growing.  Nagita tournament is held every  year together with other national sports during the inter high-school championship.

     The concept of naginata is to ultimately foster people with balance bodies and minds through training.  The principles behind this is to encourage practitioners to cultivate minds,  enhance their vitality, nurture their strength and present the japanese culture with the art of naginata.

Naginata protective gear and training items

History:

     Naginata originated over 1000 years ago.  It was a powerful weapon against  horsemen and foot soldiers alike.  It was utilized and refined from the the Nara period (710 - 784 AD).  It was adapted initially by the bushi and later by sohei and buddhist monk.   The naginata's length and weight made it an efficient weapon against the sword.  It is a shafted weapon with length varied depending on personal request or battle condition.   The striking feature was the blade mounted on the shaft in which the whole lenght varied from 5' to  8'  with the circular execution made it as one of the most graceful and fluid of classical Japanese combat system.
     There are several theories of the origin of naginata that is heavily debated but despite of the uncertainties of it's origin,  it's  well known fact that it was utilized  in the battle by the 10th century.  The naginata was proven to be a superb weapon for close-up fighting;  it's sweeping acts of destruction were used to cut  horse's leg and kill it's rider once the horse fell to the ground.
     Naginata was also used by women to protect their famiky or when working in the fields when men were away;  infact a woman who became well known with the use naginata was Itagaki.
     The introduction of western weaponry in the 17th century had altered the battlefield strategies.  Men started to use guns in combat and naginata gradually became readily used by women.  During the Edo period,  a time of relative peace in feudal Japan, Japanese women from the samarai families were required to master the naginata by the age of 18.  By that time, naginata was considered essential part of woman's dowry.  Today,  naginata is still being practiced extensively after the WWII.  Regardless of style, all naginata training has it's core goal of developin traditional respect and traditional etiquette through spiritual training.

Early illustration of a woman doing the art of naginata

The Shorinji Kempo Federation 

Inauguration: 1947

     Shorinji Kempo is a unique martial art that was founded in 1947 by Doshin So as mean of method of helping individuals to develop characters of quality.   The teachings include technique of unifying different educational structures.  It also include living happily in which body and mind are enhanced and done interactively with partners with the application of educational structure of being unified with implication of spiral and synergetic effect between them.   The teachings of Shorinji jempo also include aspect of further growth of both physically and spiritually that has a significant impact to society.

History and Concepts:

     This federation was established 1947 in a small town of Tadotsu,  located in Shikoku and the founder was Doshinso (Kaiso).   Doshinso wanted to help rebuild Japan after it's defeat in the WWII.
     Kaiso acquired and developed a fighting technique inspired by an buddhist (indian kempo)  now kown as daruma who left india and went to china 1500 years ago to spread the principles of buddhism.  He ended up in songshah's shaolin temple now known as province of henan; his teachings of principles of buddhism and martial arts spread all over china.
     In 1928 Kaiso travelled to china he learned the martial arts taught by the indian kempo.   After the WWII,  the people of Japan was placed in turbulence.  Kaiso expressed his insight with " the person,  the person,  the person,  everything depends on the quality of the person. "  ("hito, hito, hito, subete wa hito no shitsu ni aru. "). He depicted that society is managed by humans and true peace comes from nurturing kindness, courage and sence of justice among people.  This concept or experience made him decide to try to help rebuild their country by emphasizing the "harmonious teaching. "  He returned to Japan in 1946.   In 1947 he established the system of Shorinji Kempo in Tadotsu and began his teachings of what he had learned during his travel in China.

Illustration of the Indian Kempo who was also known as Daruma who inspired the teachings, martial arts and principles of the Shorinjin Kempo

The Aikikai Foundation

Inauguration: 1947

Formation and Concepts:

     This foundation is the parent organizations of the development of Aikido and was officially sanctioned as the sole national association to oversee the promotion of Aikido by the Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture,  Sports,  Science and Technology.  The Aikikai predecessor was the Kobukai which was endorsed in 1940 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.  The Kobukai was restructured in 1947 and applied to the Ministry of Education to be recognized as Aikikai Foundation.  In 1960, the first Aikikai-sponsored Aikido demonstration took place in Yamano hall in Yoyogi city of Tokyo; since then it became a yearly event.

History and Concept:

Founder of Aikido

     Morihei Veshiba founded the aikido,  he was born in Japan in December 14, 1883.  As a young boy he often saw local thugs beat up his father for political reason.   He set out to make himself strong to get back against hid father's aggressors.  He underwent rigid training and eventually to the mastery of martial arts.  He earned alot of recognitions in Juijitsu,  fencing and spear fighting.
    Despite of all hid mastery, he felt dissatisfied.  He explored in the world of spiritual aspect just to know the deeper meaning of life.   As he carried on his studies of martial arts, he assimilated budo traning with religious and political ideologies.  This had lead him to form the modern art of Aikido in 1942.

All Japan Jukendo

Inauguration: 1956

Formation and Concepts:

     All Japan Jukendo as a federation and a sports organization, seeks to promote diffusion of Jukendo and short-sword Jukendo,  there by  improving the people's physical condition and contributing to human development. June 1976, Jukendo was officially designated as a sport for People's Physical  Education National Tournament and in 1977, the federation became a promoting organization for Japaneses Budo Association and as one of it's  well organized nine martial art groups.

History and Characteristics:

     Jukendo is also known as the japanese bayonet combat.   This is the Japanese adaptation of the western bayonet combat system.   This form of japanese martial art differs from judo,  kendo, kyudo and so on.   Shunam Takashima (1798-1866) introduced the bayonet combat to japan for the first time after he had studied western gunnery through dutch books and from dutch in dejima, nagasaki at the end of Edo period.
     Takashima was the one who introduced the western weaponry to Japan.   He imported guns and canons from the Netherlands and established the "Takeshima School of Gunnery" in 1835.  When the opium war broke out in 1839, he influenced the shogunate on the defence of the western gunnery.  Tadakuni Muzuno Rojo (head councilor of Tokugawa Shogunate)  decided to observe the western gunnery.  Takashima started training infantries with the bayonet in Tokumarugahara and was carried out in the public for the first time. This had lead to the development of "Takashima Ryu Hojutsu" and bayonet combat (1839-1867)  The Japanese combat was improved with the application of japanese sphere combat techniques because the western combat style method was considered  to be inefficient.

Illustration of techniques of Jukendo

The Nippon Budokan Foundation 

Insigna or logo of the Budokan Foundation 

Inauguration: 1964

     This is the one organization that helps to unify all of the different organizations of martial arts.  The Nippon Budokan Foundation serves as a venue of different martial art groups for activities,  demonstrations and tournaments.   If the Nippon Budo Association keeps to unify them all,  the Nippon Budokan regulates them all.   It's  commitment is to make a strong bonds and communications of different martial art federations through a meaniful activities annually that will help promote peace and self motivation among their members. In addition, it will also help to preserve the traditional martial arts that has become a part of their culture that is being continiusly carried and passed on with pride and dignity.

Concepts:

    The Nippon Budokan was founded for the purpose of encouraging diffusion among people  especially young ones of the traditional martial arts and through martial arts training and refinement of mind and body to seek healthy development and contribute for the development of the nation.

Conclusion:

     It was really interesting to realize that the history of martial arts of Japan that are now organized into different federations are from the actual skills and combat techniques used in the actual historical  battles of the japanese during the early times and how they have preserved and passed on from one genation to another.  It is also fascinating how the Japanese used these forms of martial arts as a means or tools to promote self discipline and enhancement of physical, mental and spiritual through rigid trainings and most of how they are used to promote peace and harmony and unity among society where in fact they were used in war during the old times - truly impressive.

     As I observed these historical exhibits, I stopped in one corner and read the message of the Japan Foundation  to the viewers.  It was quite long and meaningful.  It was the last part of the message that caught most of my attention.

     " We hope that through this exhibition,  the viewers will become aware not only with the history of the Japanese martial arts but akso of the people's aesthetic awareness and creativity and Japan's social history and Japanese way of thinking from a new angle. "

    Well,  I got the message and earned my respect for their culture.  I am very impressed.  Now I have learned the whole context of the so-called "The Spirit of Budo."

The Philippine National Museum of Fine Arts

The History of Japan's Martial Arts

Galleries XXVII and XXVIII,  4th Floor
National Museum of Fine Arts
National Museum,  Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila
10 August to 30 September 2018

Tue to Sun,  10am to 5pm.  Closed on Mondays
Follow http://facebook.com/jfmanila
Visit www.jfmo.org.ph

Sources:

www.jfmo.org.ph
www.kodokan.org
www.aikikai.org.jp
www.nipponbudokan.or.jp
www.jukendo.info.index.htm
www.naginata.jp
www.nihonsumo-renmei.jp
www.kyudo.jp