- Teacher and student advance together (師弟同行)
- Never choose your opponent
- Respect each other’s commitment
- Fundamentals are the key to advancement
- Seek out inspiration without boundaries
- Think expansively
- Know and work to refine your special techniques
- Stay humble
- Stay positive
Teacher and student advance together – 師弟同行
Seniors, juniors and all the ranks in between learn from each other. No one places themself so highly that they do not need to train or pay attention to the lessons that come from that training.
Never choose your opponent
When tempted to seek out opponents that suit your goals, remember that everyone brings something for you to learn from. The opponent whose style you dislike is the opponent who can teach you the most, even if the lesson is simply how to overcome rudimentary technique with grace and precision.
Respect each other’s commitment
Each member gives up his or her time and body to act as a training partner. Members need to respect the commitment of their partners. For example, when taking the role of kakarite (attacker) respect that your motodachi (companion) is as committed to your improvement as you are.
Fundamentals are the key to advancement
There’s an enormous body of knowledge that goes into today’s fundamentals. Anyone who’s serious about learning the art begins with a good grounding and follows up with a constant review of these fundamentals. Without this, the art of Kendo is lost and you slip from Bushi to Brawler.
Think expansively
In other words, outside the box. There are no boundaries other than the code and your perception.
“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain” Miyamoto Musashi.
Seek out inspiration without boundaries
Don’t limit yourself to the lessons received at training. Don’t limit yourself to one school of thought. Own your journey and be proactive about seeking inspiration from people, writings, videos, and the world we live in.
Know and work to refine your special techniques
Everyone is different. Experience, outlook, physiology, all of these factors play a part in shaping who you are and what variations of techniques work best for you. Know which techniques you’re trying to improve and make your own. Bring that knowledge to training and work to make it happen.
Be humble
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” Ernest Hemingway
Stay positive
Zanshin is the power to centre yourself and be ready to overcome on your terms, whenever, wherever. We value the ability to reset and be ready to go again with unflappable positivity.
In life, and training, whatever you’re struggling with, perfecting a technique, being criticized, whatever it is, remember that these challenges are a growth opportunity.