famous quotes

[tapioka]

can anyone give me some famous quotes relating to kenjutsu? (for example, ones by Miyamoto Musashi would be nice ^^)

I'm desiging a sweatshirt for myself and I want a cool quote to go on the back. it would be preferable if the quote was on the short side.

[mystic_kendoka]

www.sungi.tk
my website, go to "quotes"
also check out the "poem" i wrote, feel free to copy what you like..

[mystic_kendoka]

It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does the same, it is an even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny.

Tomorrow's battle is won during today's practice.

The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited.

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.

First see to it that you, yourself, are all right, then think of defeating an opponent.

The end of our Way of the sword is to be fearless when confronting our inner enemies and our outer enemies.

Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.

Understanding is a three edged sword....your side....their side....and the TRUTH.

We train for a thousand days,
whether we win or lose is decided in an instant...

The distant part of the sky always seems clearest so we will always strive to reach it...

[Kyros Nighle]

"those who live by the sword, will die by the sword,
yet i hold no fear, cause thats the way of the samurai"

that was my third signature, but it was too long (for the sig capacity) so i had to erase it :D

[Kenshin Axel]

I know one!!!!
"In time of war, there is no time for teaching or learning Zen, carry a strong stick and strike your enemies!"
I think that was what Ikkyo Sujon said. I hope I got his name right! :smiley:

[Eiliries]

@ Kyros Nighle: Your second signature is quite possibly the best Drizzt quote ever!

[Masahiro]

great quotes mystic kendoka, and also great signatures Kyros Nighle. I particularly like the last one.

[taganahan]

here's my favourite quote/siggy....

"having sworn fealty, must i spend my life in servitude?"

[tapioka]

wow, these are all so great. thank you all!

if I can ask for yet another favor...do any of you know some of these quotes in Japanese?

[mystic_kendoka]

剣を殺す, 技を殺す, 氣を殺す

this is a good mental note for kendo

ken o korosu, waza o korosu, ki o korosu

kill their sword(move the opponents sword out of centre), kill their technique(block/stop/counter), kill their spirit(kiai, or simply overpowering them)

[tapioka]

noo problemo for the translations (I speak fluent Japanese). but thank you, anyway! :)

[mystic_kendoka]

just hoping you were as worthless as i am...

[Hai_hai]

Always wipe front to back.

[dcarney]

Wax on, wax off? :P

[mystic_kendoka]

BANZAI! (cldnt resist)
wat is the kanji of zai?

banzai means live for 10000 years rite?

[not-I]

I know one!!!!
"In time of war, there is no time for teaching or learning Zen, carry a strong stick and strike your enemies!"
I think that was what Ikkyo Sujon said. I hope I got his name right! :smiley:
Hey! Where did you find that? :smoker:

Ikkyu was sort of like the wild man Zen master of 15th century Japan. I like Stephen Berg's translations of his poems. You'll find another version of the above in my sig. Here are some more of his vaguely kenjutsu/kendo-related ones (parental advisory:explicit content)...

the edges of the sword are life and death
no one knows which is which

even in its scabbard my sword
sees you

in a dazzling scabbard
this wooden sword
which can't kill or help you live

where you are whatever you do
hearing a stalk struck remember bamboo remembers nothing

it takes horseshit to grow bamboo
and it too longs forever weeps begs to the wind

and here are a few others:

frogs at the bottom of a well like you idiot
thrashing in mud laughable so very very right

don't hesitate get laid that's wisdom
sitting around chanting what crap

no masters only you the master is you
wonderful no?

[Tenjo]

Tenmokaikaisonnishitemorasazu
Sokusekifuro
Tenbatsutekimen....?

[tapioka]

sumimasen, sore nanteyuu imi desuka?

[Kenshin Axel]

Hey Tapioka,

Do you know a guy named Jimmy/James Mahoney??

[tapioka]

errr.....do I? (o_o) I don't know, actually.

[Kenshin Axel]

I don't know.
Just this guy I know who lives in Washington and does Kendo.
Ah well nevermind.

[Marine_Boy]

"It's only a flesh wound",
"come back here you yellow b*****d! I'll bite your f(ing)* legs off!".

-The Black Knight, Holy Grail.

This kind of quote?

[mystic_kendoka]

you must cut the mightiest tree in the forest... with... a HERRING!

[D'Artagnan]

"When defeat comes, I won't even notice... I'll be too busy lookin' good!"

- Mr. Williams, Enter the Dragon

Possibly my favourite quote of all time, and what i base my philosopy of life upon.

[ralphy]

"Using thought to analyze reality is an illusion;
If preoccupied with victory and defeat, all will be lost.
The secret of swordsmanship?
Lightning slashes the spring wind!"

Yamaoka Tesshu
------------------------

"Don't hold back
Trying to protect your ass;
As soon as an
Opening appears,
Seize it."

Yamaoka Tesshu
------------------------

My favorite by Miyamoto Musashi:
"The one-thousand-mile-journey begins with the one step"

[tapioka]

hahaha, wow, I like all these quotes...now I'm just overwhelmed in decisions.

[mystic_kendoka]

pick mine ;) you wont be dissappointed,.

[taganahan]

how about, pick everyone. we had a hard time looking and trying to remember this stuff....just kidding.

~taganahan