Bamboo

Bamboo reflects many of the bugeisha's (martial artist's) virtues; it visibly stands tall with a strength greater than it girth would indicate. Yet with the slightest of winds it bends humbly. Once it is cut it is ready for use with no additional finishing required, it is always ready for action. Growing with a hollow centre it has come to represent the warrior's spiritual emptiness akin to that of the "No Abiding Mind". It's numerous uses include the HISHAKU (water ladle) used in the Tea Ceremony, the shaft of YA (arrows) and MEKUGI (pegs used to secure a sword blade to its handle).

The same sprit can be relayed to the sword, like the bamboo's nature, no matter how hard we try we can not dominate the sword. We too, like the bamboo need to bend with the swords sprit and HYOSHI (timing). With it's often smooth flowing KATA (form) punctuated with ZEN SHIN.

Jez Hanton - ni-dan Zen Shin Do Kenjutsu Kai

Chief instructor and founder Jon Alexander - Shihan - 9th Dan