#pass through

[banana-waza]

On how to pass each other in kendo

~ A sensei going through while the senpai is blocked in his strike

This text has been posted by Quique Ortiz Andres on facebook and shared to me by S. Boffa sensei from Meibukan. For posterity, I would like to reference it here:

Thoughts on Ainuke - Aiuchi in Kendo

"If you have not mastered Aiuchi, it is impossible to learn Ainuke."

I really believe that Ainuke (mutual passing) is the greatest feat in Kendo. Ainuke truly manifests the essence of Kendo.

Ainuke (“mutual passing,” a Kendo term that refers to the highest level of the art when two masters confront each other) and felt that it would be a good way to explain the Way to Westerners. Harigaya Sekiun created the term ainuke to describe this condition attained through the sword. It is the world of absolute peace that transcends winning and losing. It is in a different dimension from Aiuchi (mutual killing or hitting). We should consider it a cultural treasure left by a man of ancient times. We must try to adapt this concept to contemporary times and build a peaceful co-existence.

In Zen training if you think everything is dualistic (self and other), there will be tension, and you will never be able to achieve enlightenment. You must transcend dualism and enter the realm of Ainuke. But there is a problem. It is no good just to intellectualise about this realm of ainuke. This is a very important point. If you do not have the background and strength of Aiuchi, you cannot enter the realm of Ainuke.

Your Zen will be empty. If you have not mastered Aiuchi, it is impossible to learn Ainuke.

By putting our whole being into following the Way, the inevitable destruction of aiuchi (mutual killing and mutual striking) is transcended and becomes ainuke (mutual passing), the true swordsmanship stage of "Se Mu I". Having first made that experience our own, it is our duty to share it with the world. Starting from the defensive posture of Aiuchi (mutual killing and mutual striking), let our opponents cut the flesh that embraces nuclear weapons and we in turn will cut their bones. In this way we will be able to live and they will also prosper.

~ A picture of Tesshu who I suppose is referenced in this story

A person once asked Tesshu, “What is the secret of swordsmanship?” Tesshu answered, “It is entrusted to the Asakusa Kannon.” The student at once went to Asakusa, searched everywhere in the temple and came to realize that the sign with the phrase “Se Mu I” (Se—give alms, carry out, conduct; Mu—void; I—fear) must be it.

When he repeated this to Tesshu it is said that Tesshu answered “Kekko,” (very good) and laughed. "Se Mu I" comes from the sutra of the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion (Jpn. Kannon, Chin. Kwan Yin). In the sutra the Bodhisattva Kannon (Kanzeon Bosatsu Makasatsu) gives fearlessness in the midst of calamity of any kind. Consequently people call this bodhisattva "Se Mu I Sha" —the “Giver of Fearlessness.”

* (Zen and Swordsmanship) by Omori Sogen

---

I did not know there was a word for this concept but I often refer to it as "Flow"—the ability to move through an opponent rather than stopping on impact. It ties into important kendo ideas and specifically zanshin.

I notice this problem a lot in my club. Since the average age is higher than in many Belgian dojos, our teacher can no longer demonstrate how to properly pass through after striking. Because of this, many members hesitate or stop when they hit, leading to aiuchi - or just a lame block - instead of ainuke. This frustrates me and some of my fellow members because it breaks the natural rhythm of kendo.

Ainuke reminds us that kendo isn’t just about hitting—it's about striking and continuing. Without this, our matches become stiff and stuck instead of fluid and dynamic. It’s something I try to focus on in my own practice: committing to the strike, controlling distance, and always moving forward.

[annoyinglyoptimisticcompute-blog]

Proto-Indo-European

*terh₂-[1][2][3][4][5][6]

to cross over, pass through, overcome

Alternative reconstructions

*ter-[1]

[momentsbeforemass]

Stuck

“Remember Lot’s wife.”

Jesus drops this in the middle of today’s Gospel.

It sounds random. But it’s actually the whole point.

Because whether we’re looking at how it all ends (which is what Jesus is talking about) or how things are going on a Friday in November, there’s something you and I need to know. And it starts with Lot’s wife.

“Remember Lot’s wife.”

It’s a callback to Genesis, to the only thing we know about Lot’s wife,

“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”

Lot and his family are fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Angel of the Lord tells them,

“Don’t look back! Don’t stop anywhere on the way!”

Don’t look back at what’s burning down. Don’t look back at what God is finished with. Don’t look back at what God is delivering you from.

Look to where God is taking you. Don’t stop until you get there.

But Lot’s wife stopped. She looked back. And she became a pillar of salt.

No, this isn’t the arbitrary punishment of a petty God.

It’s just the natural consequence of stopping and staying – in a place you were only meant to pass through.

Lot’s wife stopped and stayed. In a place she was only meant to pass through.

Because she stopped and stayed – in a place where she was never meant to stay – she got stuck. She calcified.

It’s the same for you and me.

No matter what’s going on in our lives right now. Whether we’re in one of the hardest moments of our lives or things are okay right now, we’re just passing through.

You and I were not meant to stop and stay here.

God has so much more in store for us.

But if we stop and stay here – in a place where we were never meant to stay – we will get stuck here. We’ll calcify.

And we’ll miss out on God’s best, on all that God has planned for us.

Today’s Readings

[screamflydream]

Farmhouse Exterior Austin

Large two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof image in the country white color

[cpapartners]

IRS shifts focus to HNW individuals and pass-throughs

From more agents to the deployment of AI, the service is directing resources where the money is. 

[httyd-mc-pl-twilight]

Home Bar Galley Orlando

Transitional galley wet bar photo with flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

[hasretbhara]

Lap Pool Los Angeles Example of a large transitional backyard concrete and rectangular lap hot tub design

[lesbianese]

Farmhouse Exterior Austin

Large two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof image in the country white color

[believeitwillcometrueforever]

Roofing in Portland Maine

Large country gray two-story wood exterior home photo with a metal roof

[valaaia]

Farmhouse Exterior Austin

Large two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof image in the country white color

[twinpeaksfashion]

Single Wall Nashville Shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a multicolored backsplash, black countertops, an undermount sink, and a wood backsplash can be seen in this mid-sized cottage wet bar image.

[deathofapig]

Farmhouse Exterior Austin

Large two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof image in the country white color

[louis-sj]

SCI Cresson, Pennsylvania, Cell Block D

Built in 1987. Sane floor plan as cell block E. Total 55,200 square feet.

Two wings. One control center.

Nice they included skylights. Cell block J has none.

About 65 cells in each wing.

Note the small pass through opening. No cuffing prisoners through this little slot. No food trays either.

See: https://www.cressonsanatorium.com/self-guided-exploration

[loveunconditionallyx]

Single Wall Nashville Shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a multicolored backsplash, black countertops, an undermount sink, and a wood backsplash can be seen in this mid-sized cottage wet bar image.

[newmas]

Farmhouse Exterior Austin

Large two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof image in the country white color