Hello Everybody,

The cherry blossom season is now over, but the momiji (Japanese Maple) leaves are dark red, and the garden in my Inokashira dojo is beautiful. I hope that everybody is in good health and enjoying the changing of seasons.

This time I would like to write about kokoro-gamae. Kokoro-gamae is the posture of the heart and mind. It is the intention and resolve produced by the heart, processed by the mind, and revealed in one's appearance, behavior, speech, and action. For example, a prayer without intention has no effect-- words alone do not achieve the goal, and intention alone does not achieve it either. Intention gives true meaning to words, and words create a physical shape to intention. The same is kokoro-gamae and physical posture, kokoro-gamae and walking, kokoro-gamae and handling weapons, kokoro-gamae and exchange of greetings, kokoro-gamae and exchange of bows before training with a partner or when bowing to the kamidana.

Kokoro-gamae is an integral part of the very being of every human. As such, each individual is attentive to and expresses kokoro-gamae to varying levels--some have little concept of it, others are well aware of their kokoro-gamae and are able to control it as they wish.

The importance of kokoro-gamae, especially for one who is in pursuit of high level of martial skills, is in it being the source and foundation for one's actions, whether in times of peace or during battle. When fighting without intention, there will be hesitation. Where there is hesitation when there should be resolve, there is an opportunity for the opponent to strike. But when there is clear resolve and strong intention, the battle may be won without fighting. Kokoro-gamae is therefore an essential component of one's ki, or kiai. In turn, kiai is the life force and expression of one's spirit that determines one's own overall strength--be it physical, spiritual, or mental--and influences the oppenent's spirit and ability to fight, thus will determine victory or defeat. Therefore, kokoro-gamae is to be learned, practiced, understood, and developed.

Kokoro-gamae creates sincerity, and sincerity strengthens one's kokoro-gamae. When we say that one is sincere, it means that that person has expressed clear kokoro-gamae. This sincerity is the essence and foundation of that intention that provides the spirit to our action. Thanks without sincerity is without thanking, scolding without sincerity is no scolding, teaching without sincerity is superficial, even using deception in battle requires sincerity. This sincerity is one's honest intention, and this intention is one's kokoro-gamae.

The way to understand and develop kokoro-gamae is by, first, being aware of it at all times, and second, through conscious training. By that I mean that if kokoro-gamae is to be found in every action we produce, then, by formalizing some of such actions as a way of developing kokoro-gamae, we will eventually teach ourselves to produce and control our intentions in every action. Such controlled actions are found in dojo etiquette and decorum, formal bows, correct performance of prescribed techniques, and even the way we arrange our shoes on the rack at the dojo entrance.

In addition, there is also the importance of our appearance. Appearance is not only a reflection of one's kokoro-gamae but it inadvertently influences kokoro-gamae. A sloppy outfit might places it wearer in a shaky kokoro-kamae, while a clean tidy outfit may elevate our attention self. For example, the Japanese tradition of wearing hachimaki (head band) is primarily to feel physical tightness on one's head, which helps to tighten one's mindful resolve in action.

In training, one should be attentive at all times and avoid a playful feeling ,which not only hinders understanding of kokoro-gamae, but might also cause injuries due to lack of attention. Kokoro-gamae is a key element to a warrior's progression and should therefore be studied and developed diligently.

Ron, Tosen