A technique Miyamoto Musashi the great swordsman mentions in his book is the “in one timing” or the “timing of an instant”. An advanced kendo technique requiring an accurate split second assessment of the opponents mind for suki (an opening) and a complete commitment to the strike. It is striking the opponent within a “hairs breath” before he has decided to move. It is striking the opponent without the benefit of moving your body to reposition, from a motionless state. In one timing is very useful if you have mastered one particularly great strike. The opponent will be very wary of that technique, his mind will be preoccupied, having created doubt in his mind with how to stop you, giving you a good chance for victory, This timing is used by many who seem to just have one shining technique that always hits the mark. Timing of an instant is a strike that is as direct, and as skillful as possible.
Yagyu Munenori was known to be a great rival of Miyamoto Musashi. Yagyu Munenori was the kendo teacher to the shogun, a great and gifted swordsman who was the founder of the “No Sword” school of kendo and just as famous as Musashi. Munenori was known to have favored using an early form of kendo bogu for the safe practicing of kendo. His mentor the the zen priest Takuan Soho was instrumental in forming his ideas for his kendo style and his book that he wrote “The book of the Shinkage-Ryu Martial Arts” currently known as “the life giving sword”. It is unclear how much he knew or if Musashi read Munenori’s insightful book. But it was clearly on his mind since soon after the book was released Musashi wrote his own book on kendo “a book of five rings” the most famous of all kendo books and unmatched in its wisdom. I am only speculating on what motivated Musashi to write his book but it is interesting to note that in the last chapter “the wind book” Musashi expresses his dislike by inference the teachings of Munenori and other great swordsmen? This was very provocative in an age where one wrong word would mean a duel to the death. Great rivals? YES. We are fortunate that both of these great masters decided to write these treasures of kendo books, treasures for all time.
Despite the fact that the kendo routine can be very predictable do not let the training lull you into a sense of mental relaxation. Search for every instance in which to improve yourself, a search for perfection in technique. The mind searches for patterns and once found searches to find and solve new patterns. This is why training can feel boring even in the face real physical demands. Ji-geiko and shiai geiko are equivalent in format and unpredictable patterns to ancient sword duels where only the winner emerged alive. There is no substitute for a real match where there are no guaranteed or predetermined winners and patterns must be solved instantly, ji-geiko or shiai geiko engages the mind as well as the fight or flight response which is very important for progress in kendo. All aspects of kendo training points to an awareness and remaining in the moment.
The purpose of kendo as stated by the: All-Japan Kendo Federation:
The purpose of practicing kendo is
To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo;
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,
To treat others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
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- Thus will one be able:
- To love ones country and society.
- To contribute to the development of culture
- And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
In ancient Japan the katana was held sacred, even the making of a samurai sword was conducted as a religious ceremony. The samurai handled the sword and were also held to a high standard of conduct that was passed on to today’s swordsmen. The reverence for the sword as a symbol whether made of bamboo, wood or steel has not changed, even today. The high personal standards molded through correct and rigid training is evident and clearly seen in today’s kendo.