Karatedo (Shodo Lectures, Meditation Concepts)

Question 1

Yuuki

Answer 1

Courage

Question 2

Akui Akka

Answer 2

You reap what you sow. A bad cause brings bad results. Allowing bad technique results in bad form later.

Question 3

Gaden Insui

Answer 3

Self-seeking. Drawing water into one’s own rice field.

Question 4

Ibuki

Answer 4

Breathing that harmonizes body and mind. E.g. Inhale on a block, exhale on a strike. Soft/Hard.

Question 5

Enbusen

Answer 5

Starting point (and ending point) in kata.

Question 6

Seichusen

Answer 6

“The correct line” It’s the imaginary line that the attacker’s punch or kick will follow as it goes toward the opponent, and the line that the defender must defend against because the attack is coming through this line. As long as you guard your seichusen you will not be vulnerable to the attack. This goes along with enbussen.

Question 7

Ichinichi Issho

Answer 7

One day one lifetime. If we treat ‘each day’ as a lifetime we will make the most of our lives in all areas.

Question 8

Ichi-go Ichi-e

Answer 8

“This is the moment.” From tea ceremonies it means, “one time, one meeting.” In karate we used the phrase to remind us to move on with a technique despite mistakes. There will always be other moments.

Question 9

Nintai

Answer 9

“Showing up and training.” A big part of achieving our goals is primarily about showing up and training and practicing.

Question 10

Nana Karobi ya oki

Answer 10

“Fall seven times and stand up eight.” In Karate practice, it also talks about endurance and perseverance. It’s the concept that we keep trying even thought we fail repeatedly. The daruma wishing doll at the front of the dojo also symbolizes this concept for the dojo and its students.

Question 11

Mokuso (shodo lecture)

Answer 11

Means meditation, and it is the act we perform at the beginning of class to clear our mind and prepare our bodies for training.

Question 12

Shuhari

Answer 12

Stages of learning to mastery, can be thought of as concentric circles where the fundamental techniques and knowledge don’t change

Question 13

Nen

Answer 13

Mindfulness, the state and power of being in the “now mind.”

Question 14

Ikigai

Answer 14

“Reason for living” or purpose.

Question 15

Tonbi ga taka o umu

Answer 15

Literally means “a kite giving birth to a hawk.” The ability to transform that which we do not want into something that delights, fulfills, and satisfies us.

Question 16

Saru Mo Ki Kara Ochiru

Answer 16

Literally means “even monkeys fall from trees,” and is about compassion and understanding that everyone makes mistakes with those in our personal lives.

Question 17

Sabi

Answer 17

A key concept in Japanese aesthetics, and refers to a maturity or aged beauty, like a patina that reflects years of experience.

Question 18

Giri

Answer 18

Duty or obligation – specifically the obligation of one person to another.

Question 19

Iru Fumei Teki

Answer 19

“To hit the hidden target” — a perspective that urges us to seek the path less-traveled because it often leads to a prize most people never consider, let alone attain.

Question 20

Shokunin

Answer 20

“A master artisan” — a person who wholly and completely devotes their mind and spirit to the highest ideals of their work, and who feels an obligation to do the work at the utmost of perfection because to do less so would be to let down the world around him or her — and themselves.

Question 21

Shikantaza

Answer 21

“Just sitting” — and describes both a type of meditation, and the philosophical concept that the universe is exactly as it is: a crazy place filled with joy and sorrow, understanding and mystery, and all that is in-between.

Question 22

Ryu

Answer 22

“Flowing water” — but it also means “style” or “school of thought” and specifically is used to styles of martial arts. In addition, it has a more significant message for us about the need to both stay true to our ideals and to learn to evolve our core beliefs and continue to keep them healthy and vibrant.

Question 23

Mugah Muchu

Answer 23

“The power of selflessness”, and highlights the great satisfaction and deep happiness that is a part of being focused on helping others.

Question 24

Setsu do Motsu

Answer 24

“Strong like bamboo” — and provides multiple layers of understanding about how important flexibility is, and how important flexibility is as a component of being strong.

Question 25

Shiru Nashi Kakujitsu

Answer 25

“Knowledge without certainty”, and highlights both a fundamental characteristic of how the universe reveals itself to us, and counsels against the danger of knowledge with certainty.

Question 26

Karo Tosen

Answer 26

Summer heater, winter fan. Something which is out of season is useless.