zanshin

[mystic_kendoka]

can anyone tell me what zanshin is?

[Yowai]

Purely abstract. You can safely ignore it.

[hamish]

Basically, its awareness after the strike. Literally 'left over/behind spirit/awareness'

Its a very important factor in kendo and all martial arts, and anything really, call it 'follow through(up)' if you want to take the 'abstract' part out.

The classic lack of zanshin is when you do a great men, sail through thinking, 'yeah!', only to have your opponent chase you up and hit your men as you turn around.

Ignore it at your peril.

Hamish

[Shambler]

It also (from what I have been taught thus far) is keeping balance and being prepared to act upon any actions your opponent makes. If you're off balance during a strike, that is poor zanshin.

Therefore, the footwork and physical portions are important, as well as the mental state.

[akacz]

Purely abstract. You can safely ignore it.

Why? I don't think you can ignore it! It is one of the most important things in kendo.
1. Try to score any point without zanshin.
2. Without zanshin you will surely be defeted becouse it is like fighting but thinking about sonething else.

And mystic_kendoka it is hard to describe zanshin but I heve been taught that it is being ready to attack, to defend, generaly to confront your opponent

[Jearom]

Yowai is a troll!
You can safely ignore him.

[mystic_kendoka]

so in other words, zanshin is just being able to ready myself for the next strike? wether its from me or my opponent?

[akacz]

Yes i think that's the best way to describe it.

[mystic_kendoka]

thank u everyone

[LNGUYEN]

Are Yowai and Hai_Hai twins?

[Shazzanzzz]

zanshin literally means remaining heart(spirit).

it's kinda a buddhist phrase. It kinda means, i tihnk, having some mercy (respect) for your opponent after you kill them.