fu rin ka zan

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Cognard Shihan in the USA - Cognard Andre Shihan 8th Dan (Hanshi DNBK) in the USA: CA & AZ - June 2013

[rob_liberti]

To me this represents martial strength.

-What was "fu"? "Wind"? Anyone know the expression like the other ones I hope I do remember correctly?
-I think the "rin" means "forest" - to mean like to be flexible like a forest.
-The ka can be written to mean "fire" or it can be written to mean a "spiral" like a "typoon"?
-I think the "zan" is the same as the "yama" character for strong as a "mountain".

Any help out there for a swiss cheese memory?

Rob

[SteveTrinkle]

Hi Rob,
Weren't these the symbols of the hero's clan in the movie Kagemusha (spelling?) by Kurosawa?

Hope you're fine,

Steve

[Mashu]

Those were on one of Takeda Shingen's famous war banners. Its a quote from the Chinese strategist Sun Tsu (Zi).

風　Swift as the wind

林　Quiet as the forest

火　Conquer like the fire

山　Steady as the mountain

It seems to get translated a little differently depending on who is using/translating it though:

"Takeda also has a flag that basicaly say "Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan" It is a chinese war tactics basically saying Move like a Wind, Sneak up on like Bush, Fight like a Fire, and wait for a chance like a Mountan"

"Alive like the wind, Quiet like the forest, Burning like fire, Unchangeable, like a mountain"

You can see the characters for it here:

http://www.jah.ne.jp/~rshingen/cbyn03l.jpg

That is how it was arranged on Takeda's famous standard which was captured from his son after his defeat at Nagashino.

[Rupert Atkinson]

I like that. Anyone have anymore such kanji that relate to history?