Musashi and zanshin
Miyamoto Musashi the great master swordsman never mentions zanshin in his book “the five rings.” Musashi’s views on swordsmanship was molded by his actual battlefield experience. As with every aspect of kendo everything is connected and related to the whole experience of wielding the sword. Details and notions such as zanshin were actually integrated into strategy or “heiho.” Musashi mentions “holding the pillow down” as ensuring the opponent does not rise up and strike again by being alert even after making a decisive strike defeating the opponent. The enemy may be defeated but may not or has not given up. Not allowing the opponent to rise again has implications in keiko as well as shiai keiko. In keiko there are no judges to stop the match and one must continue to be alert defeating the opponent over and over again. In shiai keiko the same notion can be said as the opponent may not know he has been defeated and called to stop by a judge. Striking and defeating the opponent over and over until he has given up is an important lesson.