In case you have been to ask 100 individuals to outline the phrase “warrior,” you’d most likely get 10 or extra completely different solutions – primarily based on every individual’s viewpoint. The main target of this text is in defining this very highly effective, and sometimes feared, phrase – primarily based on the Sino-Japanese kanji characters used to jot down it.Slightly than simply toss out one other definition for warrior – one which takes a stand on what I believe it ought to imply – I’ll share with you a secret that I encountered once I started to check the language behind Ninjutsu – the martial and life mastery science of Japan’s historic Ninja.That is very enlightening – very highly effective – in that, if we have a look at the kanji characters that the traditional masters selected to convey the which means of the time period “warrior,” a really completely different image emerges than one which many individuals have right now. I consider that going again to the supply of the knowledge teachings in crucial to understanding, not solely this highly effective martial artwork, however in understanding extra than simply the step-by-step strategies that the majority of these practising are specializing in.However, earlier than I share with you this secret hidden throughout the kanji characters for the Japanese phrase MUSHA, “warrior,” I believe it is necessary to see simply how a lot the idea of warriorship, and what it means to be a warrior, has been “watered-down” and twisted in our trendy world.
All over the place, you see faculty mascots, sports activities groups, and even golf equipment brandishing the title of “warriors.” It appears that evidently everybody from navy models to regulation enforcers, and sure, martial artists, have claimed rights to calling themselves “warriors.” And but, once you have a look at all of those actions, you often see the very reverse of what the unique idea meant for many who lived as much as the perfect.If in case you have entry to a Japanese kanji dictionary, you possibly can lookup the 2 characters which make up this typically misunderstood time period. Even when you do not have a dictionary, you need to use your favourite on-line search engine to search out them. I might recommend utilizing the “image search” operate, reasonably than the phrase search, as you will want to have the ability to “see” what I am speaking about.The phrase warrior is manufactured from two kanji characters – one for the syllable “MU” – and the opposite for the syllable, “SHA.” If we have been to simply restrict our analysis to the fundamental meanings of those two pictographs, we might get the surface-level which means of “martial” (MU), and “person” (SHA).So, at first look we are able to see the which means of “a person who engages in warfare.”Hardly what most dad and mom would need their highschool soccer participant being recognized with, proper?However, if we glance extra intently on the kanji, a fair deeper which means begins to come up. To see this, nonetheless; you could first perceive that the kanji invented by the Chinese language after which adopted by the Japanese, are literally similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics. Not in type, however in utility.Kanji are literally “pictographs,” or “word-pictures.” And, whereas a great deal of them have modified over time to look very completely different from their authentic type, kanji are literally simplified drawings of what early writers rendered from the precise objects and concepts of their world.So, once we have a look at the kanji for musha – warrior – we are able to have a look at the picture-ideas being offered to get a clearer image of that early masters have been telling us.Here is what I imply.Whereas the phrase ‘sha” for person, is pretty straight forward, there is a hidden secret within the kanji for the character “mu”, or martial. And, to see it, you could first see that the kanji itself is definitely comprised of two different kanji that have been introduced collectively to create a who new which means from their union.
The primary kanji – the strokes and features which make up the highest and proper facet of the character – is older and not likely utilized in right now’s system. It means “conflict.” In actual fact, should you can have a look at the general image, it might probably appear to be a citadel wall with arrows flying over it.The second kanji – the strokes forming the underside and left facet – is definitely the identical one that you’re going to see on warning and site visitors indicators everywhere in the countryside. It’s the kanji for the phrase, “stop.”So, when these two ideas are introduced collectively, we are able to truly see the key that lies behind the idea of warriorship. We see that the job of a warrior is to not combat, indiscriminately, for trophies, glory, or cash – however to combat as a final resort to revive the ideas of concord, unity, and peace……the opposites of “conflict.”How did I arrive at that which means. I noticed the which means behind the traditional grasp’s concept of “martial” or warfare. The which means and goal behind the actions of a real warrior.I noticed the phrases now clearly spelled out in entrance of me. I noticed that the job of a warrior is to……”Stop conflict!”
