剣道修行の心構え / 重岡 昇
The mindset for kendo training / Noboru Shigeoka
現代剣道百家箴，昭和四十七年
A Hundred Aphorisms of Modern Kendo Masters （1972)
"Never allow the first strike to land."
No matter how skilled or unskilled your opponent may be, both sides start on equal footing, fully committed to the first strike. This requires putting your entire being into that initial attack.
"Strike at the opponent’s initial movement."
Always train with the mindset of targeting your opponent’s opening move. Be proactive, fully prepared, and maintain readiness. Cultivate an unwavering mind and approach each engagement with a steady, unshaken heart, free from the Four Fears (fear, doubt, surprise, and hesitation).
"Kendo is about striking at openings. If two combatants are evenly matched in strength, the one who strikes first will lose."
A stance that embodies both technical skill and mental preparedness has no openings. However, any disruption in this balance creates an opening. Such disruptions allow for logical opportunities, leading to techniques that align with proper principles. Forcing a technique can lead to failure, as it fosters impatience and creates vulnerabilities. When both opponents are equally strong, the one who moves first exposes their initial motion and thus loses.
"Come at me! If you won’t, then I will attack!"
This reflects the spirit of balance between "waiting while threatening" and "threatening while waiting" during a confrontation. It encapsulates the subtle art of timing and readiness. "1 to 9 of 10, 2 to 8 of 10, 5 to 5 of 10—find harmony in these intervals."
The phrases "Welcome those who come; send off those who leave." and "Do not refuse those who approach; do not chase those who leave" reflect slight but important differences in mindset. Harmony with others, whether in human relationships or in kendo, is best achieved through maintaining a rounded and balanced perspective.
"Strengths are also weaknesses; no one possesses two advantages."
Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. The journey of life is about refining one’s individuality. For example, a practitioner strong in men (head) strikes may also be vulnerable in defending them, while someone skilled in kote (wrist) strikes might struggle to defend their wrists. The saying goes: "Heaven does not bestow two gifts." Ambition and selfish desires cannot coexist. This principle teaches humility and warns against self-centered attitudes. Hardship is the seed of joy, and one can only rise above challenges by letting go of self-interest.
Your progress depends on your opponent—whether you are training at the level of a beginner (shodan), an intermediate (sandan), or an advanced practitioner (nanadan). True guidance comes from immersing yourself fully in each level of training. The foundational principle for instructors is to create an environment where keiko (practice) and shiai (matches) are nearly indistinguishable in intensity and focus.
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