A MATTER OF KOKORO

 by Phillip “Pete” Starr

When facing an opponent, whether it be a contest or an actual conflict, what is your ultimate goal? Of course, most people will answer, “To win.” That's understandable. However, according to the famed Japanese martial arts master, Hino sensei (who I met in 2016) as well as numerous masters of times long past, such desires must be eliminated if one aspires to genuine mastery.

The Japanese word “kokoro” is known as “xin” in Chinese and is generally translated as “heart, mind, spirit.” But it also refers to much more; it is thought to be the center/creator of all emotions and thoughts. Moreover, it is said to be the sensitivity that is fundamental and common to all living creatures. It is the essence of the invisible that gives birth to the visible.

The legendary swordmaster, Shirai Toru (1782-1843) explained: “Even after years of arduous training to attain the state of “engaging in emptiness and forgetting the body”, I find myself back to square one when I encounter a very aggressive opponent. The emptiness is gone and I am filled with the desire to beat him – an evil attitude takes over me.”

Hino sensei tells us that this “challenge” can never be overcome through regular practice, no matter how often you do it. When you're focused on the visible forms of movement (technique), the real challenge cannot even be clearly seen. You will see it (and the answer to it) when you see it. Shirai eventually found it.

Katsu Kaishu (1823-1899) recalled his encounter with Shirai:...”This man's swordmanship has some kind of spiritual power, to put it dramatically. When he swung his sword in a fight, his poise, dignity, and sacred spirit filled his sword to the very tip. It was such a mysterious thing...I could not even stand in front of him. I wanted to achieve that same state, so I devoted all my time and effort to practice. But I couldn't reach it at all. Frustrated, I asked Shirai about it. He laughed and said, 'You feel fear towards my sword because you have knowledge and experience in the art of sword fighting. A person with no ego and no thought has no fear. That is the so-called secret of sword fighting.'”

Shirai made it clear that the true Way was not to be found in the maneuvers or techniques. Katsu, who was a highly skilled swordsman, couldn't even stand before him. Shirao also tells Katsu that the cause of Katsu's fear was due to his experience with the sword and that “a person with no ego and no thought has no fear.” Shirai was an extraordinary swordsman who had studied at the feet of Terada Muneari, a master of incredible skill and understanding. Shirai determined that his preconceived ideas about fighting had blocked his understanding. When he turned 28, he realized that relying on strength, ferocity, and technique alone was not the Way. That's what brought him to Terada. He wanted to free himself from his habitual ways of thinking.

When you see someone do something remarkable, you ask yourself, “How can I learn to do that?” If you fail to ask, “What must I do to achieve that skill?”, your preconceptions set in and interpret for you what you've seen so that you believe you understand it. This forms a block against your growth and development.

Hino sensei said that it's about facing yourself face-to-face. Many people are loathe or even fearful of doing this. Theirs will be a short path. You must be willing to do this and to eliminate your “habits” and preconceived ideas.