LIOMUGAI

Mugai-ryu Iaido and the Zen of Training

MUGAI-RYU

Mugai-ryu is a traditional school of swordsmanship (Koryu) whose reputation is built on formidable efficiency combined with profound spiritual asceticism. Mugai-ryu prioritizes economy of motion and the power of the mind.

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IAIDO

Iaido is the Japanese martial art of drawing the sword, cutting, and re-sheathing in a single, fluid motion. Also described as “moving Zen,” it is for the practitioner a reflection of his ego and hesitation.

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BATTODO

While Iaido focuses on the perfection of form and the spiritual draw,
Battodo is the practical application of the Japanese sword. It is the study of how a blade actually behaves when it meets a target

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About Me

INSIGHTS

The Invisible Rhythm of the Blade and the Soul

by Liomugai | April 11, 2026 | Japan, Philosophy | 0 Comments

If you have ever watched a Mugai-ryū master perform a kata, or if you have attended a tea ceremony (Chanoyu), you have likely sensed an invisible progression. It isn’t a constant speed, but rather a wave that builds, breaks, and stops dead. This ternary...

Shiraito Falls, a Masterpiece of “White Threads”

by Liomugai | March 28, 2026 | Japan | 0 Comments

Whenever I visit my Japanese family’s hometown near Mount Fuji, there’s one place I always try to go back to. It’s not a big city, not a famous temple, and not one of the crowded viewpoints of Fuji. It’s a quiet waterfall hidden in the forest called Shiraito Falls....

Reigyo and Ego

by Liomugai | March 27, 2026 | Training | 0 Comments

In the modern world, the act of bowing to a weapon can appear—at least to the uninitiated—as a curious form of reverence, even idolatry. Yet for a practitioner of Mugai-ryū or Battōdō, the ritual of Reigyō (礼行, etiquette in action) is not symbolic theater. It is one...

Finding Peace at the Foot of Fuji

by Liomugai | March 11, 2026 | Japan | 0 Comments

A Walk Through Arigatayama, the Mountain of Gratitude Recently, I was in Gotemba in Shizuoka.Most travelers passing there have one of two goals in mind.Some come to shop at the vast Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of the largest outlet complexes in Japan, while others...

LioMugai is now available on YouTube

by Liomugai | March 5, 2026 | Training | 0 Comments

12,000 Views: Sharing the Path of Mugai-ryu Iaihyodo Since returning from Japan, I’ve been overwhelmed by the curiosity and support from the community on Instagram. To better document and share my journey in Mugai-ryu Iaihyodo, I decided to launch my YouTube...

Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi: From Swordsman to Zen Monk

by Liomugai | March 4, 2026 | History, Training | 0 Comments

In the history of Japanese martial traditions (budō, 武道), few figures embody the union of swordsmanship and Zen Buddhism as completely as Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi (辻月丹資茂, 1648–1728), founder of Mugai-ryū (無外流). Gettan’s life traces a rare and profound arc: from samurai...

The immovable mind – Fudōshin

by Liomugai | February 18, 2026 | Philosophy, Training | 0 Comments

In the face of chaos, most people react like a leaf in the wind—tossed by praise, broken by criticism, or paralyzed by fear. The Japanese martial tradition offers an alternative: Fudōshin (不動心). Translated literally as "Immovable Mind," Fudōshin is a state of...

The Concept of ‘Mu’ (無)

by Liomugai | February 4, 2026 | Philosophy | 0 Comments

In the name Mugai-ryu, the first character is Mu (無). It is a word that echoes through the halls of Zen temples and the history of Japanese swordsmanship, yet it remains one of the most elusive concepts for a practitioner to grasp. In 1693, when the founder Tsuji...

Decoding the strange name of Iaido in Mugai-Ryu

by Liomugai | January 28, 2026 | Training | 0 Comments

A few months ago, I received my first Mugai-ryū certificate. It was, of course, a great honor to be recognized by a school with such a profound samurai lineage. I found myself feeling that same spark of excitement my own students feel when they receive their...

Understand the Japanese Kamon

by Liomugai | January 22, 2026 | Japan | 0 Comments

The word Kamon translates literally to "house mark." Unlike European heraldry, which is often complex and colorful, Kamon are almost always circular and designed in a single color (usually white on black or vice versa). Originally, these marks were used by the...

The Spirit of Liomugai

After two decades coaching competitive sports and ten years immersed in Okinawan and Chinese martial arts, discovering Japanese swordsmanship felt like entering an entirely new world. This is the world I invite you to explore with me here.

Liomugai—derived from my name, Lionel, and the concept of ‘without borders’—represents my lifelong curiosity for Budo and a life lived across France, the UK, the USA, Spain, and Japan.

The Essence of Liomugai

The primary goal of this website is to help others discover the beauty of Japanese sword arts and the profound philosophy that accompanies them. It is an invitation to explore the “Way of the Sword” through the eyes of a student (and no more).
The content shared here is for informational and entertainment purposes only.It is not intended to replace formal instruction under a qualified teacher in a recognized Dojo.Never attempt to replicate techniques shown here without professional supervision.
Proper safety protocols and etiquette (Reigi) are vital to preventing serious injury.
LioMugai shall not be held responsible for any injuries, accidents, or damages resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided on this site.

Liomugai's training sword with its specific tsuba

Liomugai on YouTube

my Instagram

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