This masterful work describes the discipline of swordsmanship cultivated by the samurai in medieval and pre-modern Japan, and shows the relevance of the discipline today as a means to enhance personal growth through the cultivation of body and mind. Not the opponent, nor the opponent's sword.
Fear arises within oneself.
To conquer an opponent, one must first conquer the ego within oneself. Conquering the ego produces mushin, a Buddhist term most prominently used in Zen. Mushin refers to an altered state of consciousness, which distinguishes kendo from sport and requires meditation. The primary purpose of kendo is to internalize challenge through a discipline that produces perseverance, alertness and concentration. This work describes the Buddhist philosophical infrastructure of kendo, the history of the development of swordsmanship and the manner in which the discipline cultivated through it was manifested through bushido, proceeding to a critical examination of kendo and its relevance today as a direct means of personal development.