Quotes from Japanese Swordsmen

Tsukahara Bokuden
1489-1571 · Kashima Shinto Ryu

"Mental bearing (calmness), not skill, is the sign of a matured samurai.
A samurai therefore should neither be pompous nor arrogant."

Kamiizumi Nobutsuna (Hidetsuna)
1508-1577 · Shinkage Ryu

"We learn the arts of war to use only once in our lives, when we are driven into a corner. Even though one is regarded as being skilled at martial arts, if he entertains the slighest evil thought in his mind, how can he achieve immortality of the spirit?"

Muneyoshi Yagyu
1527-1606 · Yagyu Shinkage Ryu

"If you are unarmed and your opponent has a sword, then you are armed with your opponent's sword." You must defeat him with his own weapon. This is called "taking away the sword."

Ito Ittosai Kagehisa
1560-1653 · Itto Ryu

"To try to win is empty
and to try to avoid defeat is essential."

Takuan Soho
1573-1645 · Zen Teacher to Munenori Yagyu

"Conquer the self and you will conquer the opponent."

Toshiyoshi Yagyu
1579-1650 · Yagyu Shinkage Ryu (Owari)

"An effective stance is to be attached neither to the opponent's sword nor to one's own sword.

Renyasai Yagyu
1625-1695 · Yagyu Shinkage Ryu (Owari)

"The mind unmoved by external distraction produces physical mobility."

Miyamoto Musashi
1584-1645 · Niten Ichi Ryu

"To be swayed neither by the opponent nor by his sword is the essence of swordsmanship."

"The undisturbed mind is like the calm body of water reflecting the brilliance of the moon.
Empty the mind and you will realize the undisturbed mind."

"Swordsmen train diligently to reach the ultimate state of "no-enemy." All depends on mind. If the mind stops, the opponent appears; if the mind remains fluid, no enemy exists. Practice day and night and you will attain the state of no-enemy."

"Forge the spirit according to the divine will; Seek the light and heat of the Universal Sword and move on toward enlightenment.

Warriors! Rally around & brandish the Universal Sword.
Shine brightly and reveal it to the world."

o"One of the main qualities I look for in students is their spirit of jinsei shinkendo (life is shinkendo/shinkendo is life). In other words, apply the values and teachings found in shinkendo training to other areas of your life.
Those students who strive to improve themselves through self reflection and are diligent in their pursuit of goals - they are the ones who I would like to spread the art."