Zanshin

Zanshin is literally preparedness. When you first started learning kendo, after completing an attack your sensei probably yelled at you “turn around!” Your sensei was most likely trying to instill in you the feeling of always being ready.

Zanshin is necessary in order for a point to be scored in a match. The kenshi must have the correct follow through in order for a point to be considered.

After attacking, you must never let your guard down. Should you assume your attack succeeded, when it actually failed, your guard will be down as you turn around. Any kenshi worth his salt will take advantage of the moment you are most vulnerable. A kenshi’s most vulnerable moment is right after he/she attacks.

It is important to remember that once you step into the dojo, you are at kendo practice. In other words, you must behave as a kenshi behaves. One of the qualities of a model kendo practitioner is preparedness. One must be ready to respond to the sensei’s commands in a moment.

Zanshin is a concept that, again, develops with time and practice. During uchikomi-keiko, or basic practice where one either hits a dummy (uchikomidai) or one has no opponent to strike, you have to make a conscious effort to turn around and go through the motions of zanshin. If the habit is not formed as a beginner, you will find yourself losing lots of matches in the same way.