“Ken Zen Ichinyo” (剣禅一如) is the essence of the Fudōchi Shinmyōroku, a work written by the Zen monk Takuan Sōhō (1573 - 1646), who lived from the Sengoku period to the early Edo period. This phrase means “the ultimate state of swordsmanship is identical to the state of no-mind (Mushin) in Zen.” It conveys the idea that mastering any skill, whether in swordsmanship or Zen, fundamentally requires spiritual training.
This concept deeply influenced the martial arts that followed, and is still influencing Budo in Japan nowadays.
When the mind fixates on one thing (overthinking), the body becomes constrained. If the mind wavers, even slightly, both body and spirit falter. From the perspective of Zen, this is undesirable. Instead, the ideal state for a master swordsman is one where the mind flows continuously—without hesitation, attachment, or stagnation.
In both swordsmanship and Zen, the ultimate goal of the practitioner is to reach the highest level. This can be described as “training to the brink of life and death, enduring severe circumstances.” It’s not just about physical conditioning; spiritual training is essential.
Although we rarely face life-or-death situations in modern Japan, the need for spiritual discipline is more relevant than ever. As things around us are consumed at a breakneck pace, I believe that training the mind and maintaining a strong core is the key to living a more effortless life.
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