Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

"Wa" refers to an indivisible integration—in other words, it is Yoga. To live truly as a human being means to achieve the unification of mind and body; that is, to live a life where the mind and the physical body form a seamless, continuous circle. Any other way of living prevents us from manifesting our true worth as human beings.

If the "Wa" (harmony) of life is disrupted, neither the body nor the mind can express their natural, healthy vitality. Mental disharmony, in particular, goes so far as to corrupt society itself. This is because it causes a severe lack of human morality and empathy, dragging one's behavior down into pure self-centeredness in any given situation.—Nakamura Tempu

Read more in The Teachings of Tempu: Practical Meditation for Daily Life. Available on Amazon and at a bookstore near you in paperback and ebook formats.

06/17/2026

"Truth is an Unforgiving Thing"

The laws of the natural world imposed upon human beings are truly severe. Furthermore, this severity remains immutable through the ages, existing as an absolute truth from the ancient, eternal past into the everlasting future. Truth will never say to you, "Well, since you are in a difficult situation, I will make a special exception for you this time. Just try to do as you were taught next time when you're in a better mood."

Truth is rigorous and inviolable. If you fail to prepare the right mindset to correct a mistaken way of living, reality will instantly force you to reflect on your actions. And what form do these reality checks take? They can often manifest as illness and misfortune.—Nakamura Tempu, founder of Shin-shin-toitsu-do

Translation Notes
真理 (Shinri): "Truth," but in this context, it refers to the absolute, universal laws of nature or the universe.

千古変わらず、久遠のその昔から (Senko kawarazu, kuon no sono mukashi kara): Highly literary and poetic phrasing. Senko means "eternity" or "all ages," and Kuon means "the infinite past." It emphasizes that these laws are timeless and cosmic.

峻厳にして侵すべからず (Shungen nish*te okasu bekarazu): "Rigorous/stern and inviolable." It means the law of nature cannot be bribed, negotiated with, or broken without consequence.

反省を促す事実 (Hansei wo unagasu jitsugetsu/jijitsu): Literally, "facts that urge self-reflection." In natural English, this translates to "reality checks" or "events that force you to reflect."—H. E. Davey, author of The Teachings of Tempu: Practical Meditation for Daily Life

Read more at www.MichiPublishing.com.

06/14/2026

Japanese calligraphic art by H. E. Davey, author of Secrets of the Brush: Life Lessons from the Art of Japanese Calligraphy. Available on Amazon and at a bookstore near you.

06/14/2026

“How can I tell if someone is teaching the original Shin-shin-toitsu-do and if they're qualified?”

Great question! After the publication of H. E. Davey’s groundbreaking book Japanese Yoga, some folks set themselves up as teachers of “Japanese yoga” despite having never studied under a certified instructor of Nakamura Sensei’s authentic Shin-shin-toitsu-do, which is still rarely offered outside of Japan. Needless to say, they didn't have teaching certification from any group directly affiliated with Nakamura Sensei's students, and Japanese yoga is commonly used to indicate a connection to him, in that he was the first person to introduce yoga to Japan in 1919.

Kyoto’s International Japanese Yoga Association is the first—and only—group to regularly certify individuals outside of Japan as instructors of Nakamura Sensei’s Shin-shin-toitsu-do. And just as you wouldn’t want to be treated by an unaccredited surgeon, or represented by an attorney without a law degree, think twice about studying with people unable to show proof of IJYA teaching authorization.

Simply being a member of the IJYA isn’t the same as having participated in instructor training or being accredited to teach by the IJYA. Anyone can be an IJYA member, including folks who've never studied Nakamura Sensei’s yoga.

You can contact the IJYA at www.japanese-yoga.com to check the qualifications of people you’re contemplating learning from. They’re happy to help out.​

06/11/2026

Nakamura Tempu’s revolutionary Japanese yoga and meditation is rarely taught outside of Japan. But now with the help of H. E. Davey’s groundbreaking online classes, people in many different nations are learning Tempu Sensei’s original mind and body unification exercises. With over 50 years of training under Tempu Sensei’s top students, his classes are easy to understand and life changing.

You can start today from anywhere in the world. Just drop by www.TempuYoga.com.

06/10/2026

Read more at www.TempuYoga.com.

06/09/2026

“Since this human life is one where each person lives out their own destiny, I wish to pass the time with an open, serene mind.”

Because I composed this poem myself, I practice exactly what it says. It all comes down to how you hold your mind in a single, fleeting moment. In that moment, you must refuse to let negative thoughts enter your mind. However, if you fight too hard to keep them out, you end up waging a war inside your own mind. So, just deftly parry them away with a light touch.—Nakamura Tempu

Read more at www.MichiPublishing.com.

06/06/2026

Japanese calligraphy by H. E. Davey, author of The Japanese Way of the Artist. Available everywhere!