View Single Post
Old 01-10-2013, 08:30 AM   #20
Cliff Judge
Location: Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,276
Japan
Offline
Re: religious terminology in martial arts and implication

I just wanted to throw in that the special magic favors that bushi sought from the divinities were not simply the ability to crush their enemies or be bulletproof. My understanding of Marishiten worship, for example, is that she was invoked to provide stealth - so that trouble would pass over and not visit the devotee. And if trouble should find you, that it could not "bind" you. For me this shows the maturity of actual professional warriors who live in uncertain times and regard their job as maintaining peace as opposed to succeeding in war.
  Reply With Quote