fu rin ka zan

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

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

Hope you're fine,

Steve

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.

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