One-armed Kendoist Toshimitsu Takamiya
A warrior knows that being a warrior is a mindset. In training, we are trying to perfect our movements, but kicking, punching, and throwing are just the tools of the warrior. Actually, the warrior’s greatest tool is their mind. It is often thought that budo is the pursuit of perfection. This is true only to the extent of the physical body where perfection is a static destination that is absent of flaws or failure. In reality, our development or mastery is a dynamic journey where we accept our flaws or failures as part of that journey. In battle and in life, a warrior must find a way around their obstacles and so they are solution-based thinkers. No matter what our opponents or life throws at us, we must find a way to succeed. So, in training, we are really developing a mindset that helps us to preserve despite the odds or the circumstances. I recently saw a video interview with a one-armed Kendo teacher and practitioner named Toshimitsu Takamiya. When you watch him move, it is easy to forget that he only has one arm as he fluidly parries and attacks his opponent. In the interview, Takamiya says, “The reason that I’ve continued with kendo up to now is that it’s allowed me to do more than just compete with others on even terms — despite having only one arm. I believe that as long as you keep trying, anything is possible.” It is impossible to prepare ourselves for all life throws at us so in the end we can only truly really rely on the strength of our minds. All warriors strive for perfection but in the end only find mastery and that is why O’Sensei advocated masakatsu agatsu or “the truest victory is the victory over the self.” Fail and make mistakes, but don’t ever give up because success is built on a mountain of past failures. Thus, being a warrior is really just a mindset.
Today’s goal: Think about what you are allowing which is holding you back.
Check out Toshimitsu Takamiya, but don’t forget to turn on the subtitles in the CC and change the language to English.