劍聖--持田盛二嘉言錄（轉貼）－東海鯨吹浪－解影的部落格

轉貼自普林斯頓大學劍道社網站 http://www.princetonkendo.com/index.htm
說這段話的人，是在20世紀的日本有劍聖之譽的持田盛二十段。這段話有出現在DISCOVERY的「到八段之路」的影片中，當時聽了很有感動，現在看到英文原文恩！還是很感動。

Mochida Moriji Hanshi Kendo 10th Dan
1885-1974

Mochida Sensei wrote:

There are many people who practice kendo that believe that they have completed their practice of the kendo fundamentals during the beginner stage and only attempt to relate to them theoretically thereafter. However, this is a big misconception to the pursuit of true kendo.

Until you are 50 years old, you must endeavor to practice the fundamentals of kendo and make it a part of you.
It has taken me 50 years to learn the fundamentals of kendo by body.
It was not until I became 50 years old that I started my true kendo training. This is because I practiced kendo with all my heart and spirit.

When one becomes 60 years old, the legs are not as strong as they once were. It is the spirit that overcomes this weakness. It is through a strong spirit that one can overcome the inevitability of the body becoming physically weaker.

When I became 70 years old, the entire body became weaker. I found that the next step is to practice the concept of not moving ones spirit (immovable spirit) when practicing kendo. When one is able to achieve the state of an immovable spirit, your opponent's spirit and will manifests itself to you. I tried to achieve a calm and immovable spirit at this stage in my life.

When I became 80 years old, I achieved the state of the immovable spirit. However, there are times when a random thought will enter my mind. I am striving to eliminate these random thoughts at this state in my life.

Mochida Moriji at 76 10mb download

At age of 89, still practice daily!