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Old 08-27-2003, 07:23 PM   #5
Kensho Furuya
Dojo: Aikido Center of Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 341
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Hello! "Satsujinken, Katsujinto" is one of the inner teachings of the Yagyu Shinkage Ryu School of swordsmanship and was often used by Yagyu Renyasai of the Owari Yagyu Branch of this school and well as by its head, Yagyu Tajima no Kami, fencing instructor to the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu.

It is in the form of a Zen "koan" which a student must ponder. It can be taken literally but it purpose, very briefly, is to put the student into an comtemplative state of mind about his own actions and his attitude. When he is about to cut someone down, it must be in his mind the effect and consequences of his action.

At the same time, this phrase is also intepreted as a landmark transitional point in martial arts moving from the viewpoint of techniques as methods of killing and destruction towards the art as a "life-giving" or more productive or having more spiritual meanings. . . . . A discussion of these words can fill volumes. . . . . .

As a side note, "to" and "ken" are used interchangeable in this phrase. "To" and "ken" both meaning "sword." Hope these tidbits help. . . . . .
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