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What is Zanshin?
残心
• A state of alert, be on alert without relaxing, on guard, prepared for a counterattack.
• Follow-through.
• Remaining affection, attachment, regret, reluctance
Tangorin Online Dictionary
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One of my Japanese sword teachers, a kensei (剣生) a sword professional of advanced age at the time told me that the original meaning of "zanshin" was "coup de grâce", or the final blow. In other words, you had to maintain a high state of alertness after striking down an attacker as you shook the blood off your sword and re-sheaved it.
If the person showed any signs of life you would draw your sword and kill him immediately. This was to guarantee your own safety.
This state of alert was referred to as "Zanshin".
The modern use of the term is "remaining mind". That is, it is akin to the English term "follow-through"; this can be seen in golf when the golfer swings and maintains his position after hitting the ball.
It also carries the meaning of "being present" in the moment not allowing anything to distract you from what you are doing.
When applied to Aikido it has the meaning of giving yourself completely over to doing the technique with you whole mind and body, eyes, body and spirit.
It means to finish the technique completely until you are sure that it has the desired result (the attacker is dispatched).
This idea does not have a specific relation to a period of time. An example would be a multiple attack. In such a case, it implies taking sufficient time to throw the attacker efficiently and to immediately return your attention to the other attackers.
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Ciao.