road (DO)
The Bow
Bowing is not just a gesture of greeting. It is a physical communication protocol to measure social distance and respect. In the samurai era, the act of presenting one's head (the vital part) was the greatest sign of proof of the absence of hostility. Although we may not have many opportunities to be conscious of it in our daily lives, strictly speaking, even in modern times, the proper way to bow is to adapt it to the situation and relationship with the other person, from a simple nod to a bow that expresses deep gratitude.
Rather than embellishing with words, the physical fact of lowering one's body has the meaning of valuing the presence of the other person.
Shu-Ha-Ri (Shu-Ha-Ri) type
There are stages in Tao training. ``Mamoru'' faithfully follows the teacher's teachings, ``Ha'' breaks the mold and applies it, and ``Rhi'' breaks away from the mold and reaches a unique state.
In Japan's ``Do'', what is required before individuality is the acquisition of ``Kata''. At first glance, it may seem like repetitive practice that takes away your freedom, but that is not the case. Only by forcing oneself into a container called a ``mold'' that eliminates waste and annihilating the ego, can one gain the essential beauty and true freedom that lies deep within.
MUSHIN
The state of mind reached at the end of rigorous training is ``mushin.'' This is not a state of not thinking about anything. It's a state of pure concentration, free from fear, impatience, and the obsession with "looking good." By sharpening your mind like a clear mirror, you can instantly reflect your surroundings and unconsciously take the optimal action.
This is the ultimate mentality that martial artists and artists aspire to.
ZANSHIN
Even after completing an action in a state of no-mind, never letting go and leaving a lasting impression is called ``Zanshin'' (leaving one's heart still). The hand that holds the bowl in a tea ceremony, or the stance after taking an ippon in kendo. Things don't end the moment they end, but they are "actions" until the afterglow disappears. When traveling, prepare your shoes and close the door quietly. These are all beautiful zanshin that can be practiced in daily life.
Ten, Earth, and People (TEN-CHI-JIN)
This is the basic compositional theory in Kado. When arranging flowers, create harmony by placing the longest branch as ``heaven'', the next longest branch as ``earth'', and the ``person'' in between. The idea is that humans are a part of nature (heaven and earth), and that a beautiful world can only be created when these elements are balanced.
Rather than controlling nature, humans live humbly between heaven and earth. This idea of order runs at the root of Japanese culture.