Introduction

“Su‑Ha‑Ri” (守破離), often written Shuhari, is a traditional Japanese concept that outlines three stages of learning and mastery. It originated in martial arts and other classical Japanese disciplines, and it’s now widely applied in areas like agile software development, music, crafts, and more.

📘 The Three Stages

1. Shu (守) – Obey/Protect

You begin by faithfully following the teachings of a master or established methods. The focus is on deliberate repetition to internalize fundamentals, almost without questioning  .

2. Ha (破) – Detach/Break

After mastering basics, you start to question them. You experiment, adapt, and innovate while still rooted in underlying principles  .

3. Ri (離) – Transcend/Separate

Having internalized the core, you now transcend the form, acting intuitively. You develop your own authentic expression, eventually contributing something new to the discipline .

🌀 A Fluid Journey

Concentric Circles: These aren’t strict steps but overlapping stages—Shu underpins Ha, and both underlie Ri . You may revisit Shu when learning something new, even as you operate at Ri in other areas .

🌍 Modern Applications

– Martial Arts & Traditional Arts

Used extensively in Aikido, Kendo, tea ceremony, noh theatre, and more to guide students from form to innovation  .

– Software & Agile

In agile frameworks, teams start by strictly following rules (Shu), then tailor or challenge practices (Ha), and finally create new processes or norms (Ri) as they mature .

For example:

Shu: New Scrum teams follow the three Daily Scrum questions exactly. Ha: Teams adapt those questions to better reflect how they communicate. Ri: Teams build their own rhythms and rituals that maximize their effectiveness.

🧭 Why It Matters

Structured Mastery: It offers a clear, phased path—from learning and discipline, to innovation, to mastery and creativity. Adaptive Learning: It acknowledges that true learning involves both replicating and breaking before you can truly invent. Guided Creativity: Especially in fields like software, it teaches when to follow rules and when—and how—to confidently break or redefine them.

✅ In Summary

Shu-Ha-Ri is a versatile framework:

Shu: Learn faithfully from a master. Ha: Start to question, adapt, and experiment. Ri: Transcend and innovate, making something uniquely your own.

It offers a path for anyone—from martial artists to software teams—to grow deeply grounded and creatively independent.