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Kendo and the Warrior Spirit -- Part 4 of 5

© Lance Lindley

Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction.
Other than continuing to exert yourself, enter into nothing else,
but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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So, just what does hitting each other with bamboo sticks have to do with keeping the spirit of the samurai alive? To answer this question, we have to look below the surface activity of kendo -- the hitting -- and reach instead into the deep pool of discipline upon which it draws its sustenance.

Discipline in the martial arts -- or in all things military -- usually follows the ideal that physical discipline will eventually sink below the surface of the skin and become mental discipline. Kendo is no different.

In fact, the physical aspect of kendo has so little to do with strength and so much to do with refinement, efficiency of movement and precision that mental discipline must be achieved for the kendoist to attain any kind of success.

This mental discipline is what gave the ancient I>bushi, as samurai were called, their ability to face death in one-on-one combat with resolve and even eagerness. In combat, tension breeds hesitation; it clouds decision-making and tightens muscles. Thus the warrior who was not relaxed in the face of death was certain to quickly feel its icy kiss.

This willingness to die is reflected in numerous tales and proverbs from Japan's feudal era. Consider these, for example:

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The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim. Concerning martial valor, merit lies more in dying for one's master than in striking down the enemy. Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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"To overcome life and death is to know the greatest of mastery." Yagyu Munenori

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So during the centuries of strife that make up most of Japan's feudal history, the Samurai needed spiritual resolve and mental discipline to face death with a clear mind. But even more important to the development of the spiritual aspect of the sword arts was the introduction of a lengthy peace by the Tokugawa bakufu, beginning in 1615.

Edwin O. Reischauer, former Harvard University professor and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, wrote:

"...in a land at peace, the samurai could turn their backs on distasteful firearms and resume their traditional love affair with the sword. Schools of swordsmanship flourished. However, as the chance to use swords in actual combat diminished, martial skills were gradually becoming martial