Zen's Influence On The Art Of The Sword
Beginning of paper
Zen has long had a great influence upon Japanese culture. Many aspects
of this culture are touched upon by Zen including art, literature, and specific
ceremonies such as the one concerning tea. During the Kamakura period of Japan,
another area of culture began to be affected by Zen; the martial ar ....
Middle of paper
.... his duty to his own code of honor.
In order for the Zen master to pass on this state of mind to the eager
to learn samurai, the master had to equate the state of mushin (empty mind and
egolessness) with something familiar to the warrior. And what is more familiar
to a warrior than his weapon, most often a sword such as a tachi (long-blade),
katana, or iaito? From the first time that a samurai blade is picked up by its
owner until the day the owner dies, it is his goal to so complet ....
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Word count: 346
Page count: 2 (approximately 250 words per page)
