PRINCIPLES - TECHNIQUES

Zanshin - Remaining mind and full effort

The character for “zanshin” have the general meanings of “remain” (zan-) and “mind” (-shin). The term is usually interpreted as referring to a mental state in which you continue to focus your attention on your opponent and the surrounding environment. I have another interpretation, however, which is that the characters for zanshin can also refer to the phrase “Kokoro wo nokosazu” (lit. “Leave nothing of the spirit behind”). This means giving of yourself so completely that nothing remains to be given and so that nothing is held back. When practicing Karate this means giving your absolute all to the performance of each and every technique.

Hiroki Ishikawa - Nobuyuki Nukina - AJ van Dijk.
It may be an odd page for this picture, but Hiroki Ishikawa and his father have been a great influence on my karate and especially my full effort in training.