Zanshin
Template:Short description Template:Italics title Zanshin (Template:Langx) is a state of awareness; of relaxed alertness, in Japanese martial arts. A literal translation of zanshin is "remaining mind".<ref name="One arrow, one life">"One arrow, one life: Zen, archery, enlightenment" by Kenneth Kushner; Tuttle Publishing, 2000, page 73</ref><ref name="Complete idiot's guide">"The complete idiot's guide to karate" by Randall G. Hassell, Edmond Otis; Penguin, 2000, p. 26-27</ref>
In several martial arts, zanshin refers specifically to the body's posture after a technique is executed.<ref name="One arrow, one life" /><ref name="Complete idiot's guide" /><ref name="Okinawan Karate-do">"The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do" by Shōshin Nagamine; Tuttle Publishing, 1998, page 100</ref><ref name="Complete Kendo">"Complete Kendo" by John J. Donohue; Tuttle Publishing, 1999, page 89</ref>
In various martial arts
In kyūdō, zanshin means the body posture after the loosing of an arrow; the posture is intended to reflect the higher meaning of zanshin, which is a mental aspect maintained before, during, and after an action.<ref name="One arrow, one life" /><ref>"Kyudo: the essence and practice of Japanese archery" by Hideharu Onuma, Dan DeProspero, Jackie DeProspero; Kodansha International, 1993, p. 84-85</ref>
In karate, zanshin is the state of total awareness.<ref>"Karate" by Kevin Healy; Connections Book Publishing, 2002, page 21</ref> It means being aware of one's surroundings and enemies, while being prepared to react.
In the context of kendō, zanshin is the continued state of spirit, mental alertness and physical readiness to meet the situation (such as an opposing attack) that must be maintained when one returns to kamae after attacking. It is one of the essential elements that define a good attack.<ref name="Complete Kendo" />
During the practice of aikidō, the usual method of practicing zanshin is to focus on the just-thrown uke, or opponent, while holding kamae and maintaining awareness in case there are additional attacks or attackers.<ref>"Advanced Aikido" by Phong Thong Dang, Lynn Seiser; Tuttle Publishing, 2006, page 64</ref><ref>"Dynamic Aikido" by Gōzō Shioda; Kodansha International, 1977, page 107</ref> In Iwama Style training, zanshin is practiced as general awareness of one's surroundings, of which uke is just a small part.Template:Citation needed In Yōseikan-style aikidō, students are trained to maintain that continued state of mental awareness and physical readiness beyond the dōjō walls and into daily life.Template:Citation needed
See also
References
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