Category: Philosophy/Tetsugaku

Shugyō 修行 is a term used in the martial arts to describe life-encompassing ascetic training and discipline aimed at personal transformation. It implies discipline, physical and spiritual trial, and severe martial practice. It was historically used by samurai warriors or…

Kufū 工夫 in the martial arts means training through thinking and insight, along with creative problem-solving in training; personal refinement through insight; and discovering efficiency. An example is a student modifying footwork to deal with a faster opponent or a…

Tanren 鍛錬 is hard conditioning and forging, both physically and mentally. It has strong connotations of hardship. This term is used for physical conditioning, spirit-hardening, harsh, repetitive, character-forging training. It is historically linked to samurai austerity; zen & martial discipline;…

In budō and koryū contexts, shūren 修練 refers to: training that develops character, not just skill; internal refinement through external practice; and technical training integrated with moral and mental growth. It goes deeper than renshū, because the goal is not…

In budō and martial arts, renshū 練習 is a general word for practice or training. It refers to: repetitive technical practice; skill-building training; mechanical and physical refinement; and drilling techniques. It’s used commonly in modern budō, sports, and daily life….

Keiko 稽古 means practice or training through the study and transmission of classical tradition; literally “to reflect on the past.” In budō, keiko is not just practice, but also means training by studying and transmitting tradition. Keiko implies: learning by…

Chi 地, meaning earth, ground, or land, is very important in martial arts philosophy. In traditional Japanese sword arts, the concept of chi (地, “ground” or “earth”) represents stability, balance, and rootedness — a crucial element in executing effective techniques….

Shin (しん / シン) is a Japanese reading that can mean several different things depending on the kanji used, but for martial arts, it’s usually mind (心), truth (真), or spirit (神). Here are the main meanings you actually encounter…

Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) was one of Japan’s most accomplished martial artists and most renowned swordsman. He founded a school called Hyohō Niten Ichi-ryū (兵法 二天 一流), which can be loosely translated as “the school of the strategy of two heavens…

Riai (理合) is an important classical budō concept meaning the underlying principles that make a technique work — the logic, reason, or principled harmony behind movement. This is a term used in koryū bujutsu, kenjutsu, iaido, aikidō, and jūdō theory….

The spirit of Bushido, or the way of the warrior, encompasses a set of ethical and moral principles that guided the samurai class in feudal Japan. These principles are often cited in modern Budo, Japanese ethics discourse, and various interpretations…