Way of the Sword

Western beauty is radiance, majesty, grandness and broadness.
In comparison, eastern beauty is desolateness. Humility. Hidden Beauty.

The samurai used the sword for practice, and if an ill intended foe appeared, the would duel.
However, in Kendo the sword is made of bamboo. And this is used to elevate your technique.
When fighters cross swords and try to overtake the center, the energy is stillness.
Even when a fighter is moving fast, his mind is calm, like an ocean with no waves.
This is called an immovable mind. In opposite terms, when a fighter is completely still,
his heart and mind is moving. So understanding the mind and actions of your opponent takes both stillness and movement.

In Iaido you do not have an opponent, only a imaginary one.
While imagining the opponent, I will imagine one far stronger than myself.
However I believe that your ultimate foe is your own self.

Your confusion, fears and arrogance may arise.To rebuke them, you need to raise your energy with a great battle cry.

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