I discovered in no time at all that my assumptions and expectations were naďve at best. Not only was my first instructor not a true sensei, he was totally non-spiritual as he viewed life through a lens of competition. Ultimately, reflecting his aggressive teaching style, I ended up with a broken collarbone (“he’s ok, pull him off the mats!”). This in short order ended my study of Judo, not due to the injury, but to the insensitive and un-compassionate spirit of my teacher. This first experience with the martial arts didn’t discourage me; in fact, it only made me even more determined to continue my search for a martial/spiritual sage, to discover “a way” (dō) to a heightened level of spiritual consciousness.

Sato Kinbei Sensei

Over time my seeking led me to many different teachers, spiritual as well as martial, in many different countries. And of the martial ones that I discovered and studied with, many were more ‘talk than walk’. Two of the ones that had true power and knowledge were Japanese Grandmasters. Over a period of more than fifteen years, I studied with one and then the other receiving various rankings from both. One of the Grandmasters, Grandmaster Tanemura Shoto Sensei, by way of a vision, named my dojo Hakusan meaning Sacred White Mountain.

Grandmaster Takamatsu Toshitsugu Sensei
One of Tanemura Sensei's teachers

After 39 years, I’ve come full circle, a reflection of the teaching that in the beginning of a quest of spirit, mountains are just mountains, then after journeying for a period of time, mountains become…not really mountains. Finally, after many, many more years of seeking, you realize as a child that mountains are just…mountains.

I began as the fool seeking ever and ever that exquisite “pearl”…but only awakening after much searching and suffering that the pearl of the wise, born of the earthly waters, is truly of the earth and the wise need not seek for what is not but only to lie in the mountains, sleep in the valleys and drink of the stream… simply then may you know and see…but for some that is not enough, the quest is ever there, and as the fool I seek again…

If you are a seeker, the following pages may help you in your quest. Please enjoy.

Rev. Dr. JC Husfelt, Sensei

White Mountain Martial Arts Holy Warrior Hakusan Hombu Dojo Warrior Sage Warrior Sage Trainings The Last Samurai