Liomugai : The Way of Sword & Budo

Lionel Reynaud

Welcome to Liomugai, the podcast dedicated to the Way of the Sword, Budō, and the Zen of training. Liomugai ("without borders") is an invitation to explore traditional Japanese martial arts through the eyes of a lifelong student. This audio journal bridges modern athletic performance and the discipline of Budo—where technical efficiency meets spiritual asceticism, and physical rigor leads to mental peace. In each episode, dive into the history, practice, and mindset of Mugai-ryū Iaido and martial arts. From technical breakdowns of katas and tameshigiri to reflections on travel and Japanese culture, we explore the concept of Ken Zen Ichi Nyo (The sword and Zen are one) alongside martial philosophies like Reigyo and In-Yō. About the Host: The podcast is hosted and produced by Lionel Reynaud. A former elite cycling coach on the World Tour and at the Olympic Games (Beijing, London, Rio), he now applies the science of athletic performance to traditional arts. An Okinawan Uechi-Ryu Karate teacher holding a 4th-degree black belt (Yondan) and the title of Jun-Shihan, he is internationally recognized by the IUKF. As a Senior Instructor at the Mattson Academy and founder of the Uechi-Ryu Institute (Kenkyujo), Lionel draws on his journey across France, the United States, and Japan to connect practitioners of all backgrounds. Whether you are a Budo practitioner, passionate about samurai culture, or simply curious to discover a discipline of self-perfection, join this quest for self-mastery. 🌐 Resources and articles: https://liomugai.com 📱 Follow the training in Japan: Instagram: @liomugai • YouTube: @liomugai ⚠️ Safety Warning: The content of this podcast is shared for informational and cultural purposes. Sword practice is demanding and potentially dangerous. Never attempt to replicate these techniques without the supervision of a qualified instructor in a recognized Dojo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 9h ago

    The Samurai History

    How did a class of pragmatic, Heian-period mercenary archers evolve into peaceful bureaucrats, and eventually become the ultimate global symbols of honor, discipline, and spiritual depth? In this episode of Liomugai: The Way of Sword and Budo, we journey through nearly a thousand years of Japanese history to dismantle the popular myths and uncover the true, complex story of the samurai. We trace their rise from local military specialists in the Heian period through the brutal, chaotic warfare of the Sengoku era, to their unexpected transformation into sword-bearing administrators under the Pax Tokugawa. Most importantly, we explore the profound inner shift that occurred when active combat ceased: how the practical mechanics of killing (kenjutsu) evolved into a path of rigorous self-cultivation (budo and shugyo). Guided by the serene focus of Zen Buddhism and the ethical alignment of Neo-Confucianism, the katana was redefined from a battlefield weapon to "the soul of the samurai"—a tool for cutting through one's own delusions. What We Explore in This Episode:The Historical Evolution of the Samurai: Dismantling modern cinematic romanticism to understand their pragmatic origins as private mercenaries protecting land in the Heian period, their rise to absolute political dominance through military governments, and their institutional dissolution during the rapid modernization of the Meiji Restoration.The Transition from Kenjutsu to Budo: How peace under the Tokugawa shogunate forced warriors to find a new purpose for the sword, shifting their training from outward combat to inward self-refinement and moral discipline.The Spirit of the "Sword Saint": A look at the legendary Miyamoto Musashi, founder of the two-sword Niten Ichi-ryu style. We delve into his undefeated record in over sixty duels and how his final philosophical treatises, The Book of Five Rings and the Dokkodo, elevated strategic martial principles into an enduring philosophy of life.The Sword as a Moving Koan: The life of Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi, the samurai swordsman who became a Zen monk and founded Mugai-ryu. We discuss how Gettan integrated deep Rinzai Zen practice with physical action, achieving a state of "no-mind" (mushin) where the ultimate victory is victory over the ego.The Enduring Legacy: How the samurai's historical adaptation from battlefield fighters to peacetime leaders offers practical, powerful insights for navigating the stresses, complexities, and dualities of modern life.Key Terms Explained:Budo (武道): The martial way; the transition of physical combat arts into paths of spiritual and ethical self-cultivation.Shugyo (修行): Intense, austere training of both body and mind to polish one's character.Mushin (無心): "No-mind" or a state of pure, unattached awareness free from dualistic thoughts of victory or defeat.Daisho (大小): The paired long (katana) and short (wakizashi) swords that served as the exclusive status symbol of the samurai during the peaceful Tokugawa era.Listen and Subscribe:If you are a practitioner of martial arts, a student of history, or someone searching for focus and presence in a distracted world, this episode is your invitation to step onto the path of the sword. Subscribe to Liomugai: The Way of Sword and Budo on Apple Podcasts, leave a review, and join our community of practitioners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Oct 13

    Metsuke

    In martial arts practice, the primary trap does not lie in your feet or hands, but in your eyes. Instinct naturally pushes you to fixate on the tip of a blade or a loaded fist, yet this narrow focus is a critical flaw: looking at a single point blinds you to everything else. In this new episode of Liomugai: The Way of the Sword and Budo, we explore the concept of Metsuke (目付) in depth. Far beyond its literal translation of "fixing the eyes," this term encompasses both physical gaze and mental awareness in combat. We examine the fundamental distinction between ordinary focal vision, known as Shiken, and a comprehensive gaze. Fixating on a detail instantly triggers mental rigidity (ittoku) and tightens the body, significantly slowing your reaction time. To counter this, sword schools (Iaido, Kenjutsu) teach Enzan no Metsuke (遠山の目付), the art of "gazing at distant mountains": taking in the opponent as a whole without getting trapped by an isolated element. As Miyamoto Musashi summarized in The Book of Five Rings (Gorin no Sho), global perception (Kan) must be strong, while analytical observation (Ken) must be weak. How does this approach evolve when the distance closes? We travel from the open range of the sword to close-quarters combat (chika-ma) in traditional Okinawan karate (Goju-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu). At this range, the gaze anchors on the sternum or the base of the neck before yielding to tactile perception through sticky hands (Kakie). Finally, we address the debate surrounding the ideal visual anchor point. Should you look at a neutral point just above the bridge of the nose to engage peripheral vision, or lock eyes with your opponent to read their deepest intentions? Whether you practice solo swordsmanship (Iaido)—where you must generate the full intensity of combat through internal visualization alone—or strive to maintain an immovable mind (Fudoshin) amid daily stress, Metsuke is a vital key to preserving mental clarity and physical fluidity. In this episode: The etymology and deeper meaning of Metsuke: Far more than a simple gaze, a genuine state of mental presence.The Shiken trap: Why fixating on the weapon or your opponent's movement forces you into a purely reactive state.Enzan no Metsuke with the sword: Taking in the opponent's entire silhouette like a mountain on the horizon.Close-quarters combat in Okinawa: From anchoring the gaze on the sternum to tactile sensing in Kakie.The great gaze debate: Looking above the bridge of the nose versus locking eyes directly.Fudoshin and solo practice (Iaido): How internal intensity and focused vision transform practice.Daily life application: Using broad vision to regulate heart rate and defuse stress or physical and verbal confrontations. Subscribe to Liomugai: The Way of the Sword and Budo so you never miss an episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Oct 6

    Sanada Yukimura – The Last Hero of Bushido

    Why does the name Sanada Yukimura continue to inspire martial artists and historians more than four centuries after his death? In this episode of Liomugai: The Way of the Sword and Budo, we examine the life, strategy, and martial spirit of the warrior remembered as "The Last Sengoku Hero". Born Sanada Nobushige in 1567, he learned the art of strategy under his father, the master tactician Sanada Masayuki. Facing the overwhelming forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Siege of Osaka, Nobushige constructed the impregnable Sanada-maru fortification, proving how calm composure, tactical positioning, and resourcefulness can overcome immense odds. In this episode, we cover: From Nobushige to Yukimura: His early life in the warring states period and how the name "Yukimura" emerged in post-war literature.The Masterpiece of the Sanada-maru: How a defensive barbican repelled repeated assaults during the Siege of Osaka.The Red Armor & the Rokumonsen: The symbolism behind his crimson gear and six-coin crest representing readiness for ultimate sacrifice.Myth vs. Reality – The Sanada Ten Braves: The fictional legend of his ten ninja companions versus the historical intelligence network used by the Sanada clan.Lessons for Budo Practitioners: Core values of loyalty, composure under pressure, and remaining steadfast in your purpose. 🎧 Subscribe to Liomugai: The Way of the Sword and Budo so you never miss an episode on martial traditions, samurai history, and the spirit of budo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Sep 29

    Tsuji Gettan : The Awakening of the Sword

    Discover how the deadly art of Japanese swordsmanship met the ultimate spiritual quest. In this episode, we travel to the pacified Japan of the Edo period following the footsteps of Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi, a formidable swordsman turned Zen monk, and the founder of the Mugai-ryū sword school. How does a warrior achieve enlightenment? We retrace his spiritual retreat at the Kyūko-ji Zen temple in the Azabu district of Edo, where he studied diligently for nearly 19 years under the guidance of masters Sekitan and Kanshu. We recount the pivotal moment when, at the age of 45, he attained satori (enlightenment) and received a poem from his master containing the verse "Ippo jitsu mugai" (There is nothing outside of the One Truth). This revelation would give both its name and its core philosophy to his martial art. This episode is also a deep dive into the history and foundations of Zen Buddhism. We decode its philosophy of the present moment and seated meditation (zazen), with a special focus on the rigorous Rinzai branch. Introduced to Japan by the monk Eisai at the end of the 12th century (1191), this school became prominent among the samurai class by balancing physical work, meditation, and the study of kōans (paradoxes aimed at breaking intellectual logic and ego). Prepare to discover how the sword and Zen merge through the concept of Ken Zen Ichi Nyo (The Sword and Zen are One), reminding us that true victory is not found in defeating an opponent, but in cutting down one's own delusions, fears, and ego. In this episode: The life of Tsuji Gettan: From a young samurai to an awakened Zen philosopher.The sanctuary of Kyūko-ji: The 19 years of asceticism that transformed his worldview.The secrets of Mugai-ryū: The birth of a school where movement arises from emptiness, directness, and the absence of ego.Understanding Zen and the Rinzai school: History, the practice of zazen, and the power of kōans.🎧 Subscribe to explore the Way of the Sword with us and let yourself be inspired by the serenity of the Zen mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Sep 22

    The Way of Tea and the Mind of Zen

    In Episode 14 of Liomugai the way of sword and Budo, we step away from the martial battlefield to explore the quiet, profound space of the Japanese tea ceremony, known as chanoyu (hot water for tea) or chadō (the way of tea). This episode traces the roots of Zen Buddhism from its origins in India to its transmission to China, and its eventual introduction to Japan by Buddhist monks like Eisai in the 12th century. We explore how the consumption of powdered green tea (matcha) evolved from a medicinal drink used by monks to stay awake during long periods of meditation into a highly codified cultural and spiritual practice. We delve into the revolutionary impact of the 16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyū, who stripped away the luxurious and symmetrical Chinese aesthetics favored by the aristocracy to establish the concept of wabi-sabi. This philosophy celebrates humble simplicity, naturalness, and the profound beauty of imperfection. Listeners will learn about the four foundational principles of the tea ceremony established by Rikyū: Wa (harmony with nature and people), Kei (respect for all humans and objects), Sei (physical and spiritual purity), and Jaku (inner tranquility). Finally, we uncover the deep spiritual connection between Zen and tea, perfectly summarized in the Japanese proverb "Cha zen ichi mi" (Zen and tea have the same taste). The episode reveals how the simple, everyday acts of boiling water, whisking tea, and drinking it can become a moving meditation and a profound spiritual path. You will discover how the rustic tearoom (chashitsu) served as a sanctuary of absolute equality. Historically, even the highest-ranking samurai were required to leave their katana (swords) outside on a rack and bow down to enter through a small, low door (nigiriguchi), leaving their social rank and ego behind to fully live in the harmony of the present momen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Sep 15

    Miyamoto Musashi & The Book of Five Rings

    In this episode of Liomugai the way of sword and budo, we explore the legendary life of Japan's most famous sword saint, Miyamoto Musashi. Join us as we trace his journey from an undefeated rōnin with 62 duel victories to the founder of the revolutionary Niten Ichi-ryū two-sword style. We also break down his strategic and philosophical masterpiece, The Book of Five Rings. Written during his final years in the isolation of the Reigandō cave, the text offers timeless wisdom divided into five elemental chapters: Earth (foundation), Water (adaptability), Fire (combat intensity), Wind (critique of rigid styles), and Void (absolute freedom and intuition). Tune in to discover how Musashi's way of the warrior can help you find balance and efficiency in modern life! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Sep 8

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi

    In this 12th episode of Liomugai The Way of Sword and Budo, we explore the incredible destiny of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, considered the second great unifier of Japan. Born into a humble peasant family in Owari Province in 1537 with no samurai lineage, he managed to climb all the military and political ranks to reach the highest positions of the Japanese nobility. Discover how this simple sandal-bearer to the formidable warlord Oda Nobunaga used his strategic genius to make himself indispensable. After Nobunaga's assassination in 1582, Hideyoshi reacted at lightning speed to avenge his master at the Battle of Yamazaki and take his succession. We dive into his ruthless military campaigns, such as the terrible siege of Negoro-ji temple in 1585 where he ordered the complex to be burned down to annihilate the rebel warrior monks, or the siege of Ōta Castle for which he used ingenious flood tactics. Driven by boundless ambition, he even attempted to conquer Ming China by launching two vast armies through Korea in 1592 and 1597. But Hideyoshi's legacy goes far beyond his conquests; he is the great architect of pre-modern Japanese society. We decode his major reforms, notably the famous "sword hunt" in 1588, which confiscated weapons from peasants to reserve this privilege only for samurai and prevent revolts. He also established an extremely rigid social class system in 1591 strictly separating warriors, farmers, artisans, and merchants (the shi-nō-kō-shō system). Ironically, this man who benefited so much from social mobility completely locked down society once he reached the top. Finally, we highlight a fascinating detail about his enduring legacy: his famous kamon (family crest) is still used today as the official emblem of the Government of Japan and appears on the seal of the Prime Minister! 🎧 Listen to this episode to discover how, according to the famous proverb, Hideyoshi managed to "bake the cake" of Japanese unification. If you enjoyed this episode, don't hesitate to subscribe to Liomgai la voie du sabre et du budo, leave us 5 stars and a review on Apple Podcasts! Continue your path and enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Sep 1

    Zanshin

    What happens after the cut is completed, the strike lands, or the arrow is released? In the Japanese martial traditions of Budo, this moment is not the end of the technique—it is where Zanshin (残心), the "remaining mind" or "lingering heart," truly begins. In this episode of liomugai : the way of sword and budo, we dive deep into this profound state of relaxed alertness and sustained awareness that bridges the physical discipline of the dojo with the challenges of everyday life. In this episode, we explore: The Zen Heart of Zanshin: How the concept of non-attachment (chāku) and Master Takuan Sōhō's teachings in The Unfettered Mind help us avoid a "frozen mind". We unpack the singular unrepeatability of Ichigo Ichie and the concept of Ma—the powerful negative space and stillness that frames all action.The Budo Dimension: How Zanshin is physically, mentally, and spiritually trained in arts like Mugai-ryū Iaido, Battōdō, Kendo, Kyudo, Karate, and Aikido. We break down the three critical dimensions of practice: physical readiness, mental engagement, and spiritual stillness.Surviving the "Celebration Gap": How Zanshin eliminates the dangerous drop in focus right after a victory or completed action. We examine the mechanics of Metsuke (the soft, panoramic gaze), Shisei (effortless physical alignment), and Mushin (no-mind).Zanshin in Daily Life: How to bring the discipline of the sword into everyday micro-moments of mastery. Discover how "closing the loop" (like shutting a door softly or setting down a coffee cup silently), maintaining conversational presence, and structuring mindful workplace transitions can turn a chaotic rush into a seamless continuum of calm competence.Practical Cultivation: Simple daily exercises—including mindful breathing, slow-motion kata practice, and seated meditation (zazen)—to begin developing your own lingering mind today.Whether you hold a katana or are navigating the stress of a busy workday, Zanshin reminds us to show up fully, with awareness, intention, and grace. What does Zanshin mean to you? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on cultivating awareness! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

Welcome to Liomugai, the podcast dedicated to the Way of the Sword, Budō, and the Zen of training. Liomugai ("without borders") is an invitation to explore traditional Japanese martial arts through the eyes of a lifelong student. This audio journal bridges modern athletic performance and the discipline of Budo—where technical efficiency meets spiritual asceticism, and physical rigor leads to mental peace. In each episode, dive into the history, practice, and mindset of Mugai-ryū Iaido and martial arts. From technical breakdowns of katas and tameshigiri to reflections on travel and Japanese culture, we explore the concept of Ken Zen Ichi Nyo (The sword and Zen are one) alongside martial philosophies like Reigyo and In-Yō. About the Host: The podcast is hosted and produced by Lionel Reynaud. A former elite cycling coach on the World Tour and at the Olympic Games (Beijing, London, Rio), he now applies the science of athletic performance to traditional arts. An Okinawan Uechi-Ryu Karate teacher holding a 4th-degree black belt (Yondan) and the title of Jun-Shihan, he is internationally recognized by the IUKF. As a Senior Instructor at the Mattson Academy and founder of the Uechi-Ryu Institute (Kenkyujo), Lionel draws on his journey across France, the United States, and Japan to connect practitioners of all backgrounds. Whether you are a Budo practitioner, passionate about samurai culture, or simply curious to discover a discipline of self-perfection, join this quest for self-mastery. 🌐 Resources and articles: https://liomugai.com 📱 Follow the training in Japan: Instagram: @liomugai • YouTube: @liomugai ⚠️ Safety Warning: The content of this podcast is shared for informational and cultural purposes. Sword practice is demanding and potentially dangerous. Never attempt to replicate these techniques without the supervision of a qualified instructor in a recognized Dojo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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