Eight poems of the fist methods
The kempo hakku comes from article 13 of the bubishi, which historically speaking is undoubtedly the single most important document relating to karatedo. I intend to write more about the bubishi at a later date, but for now will concentrate on the kempo hakku.The kempo hakku is a collection of 8 poems which relate to the martial arts. The kempo hakku is probably one of the more widely known sections of the bubishi due to the fact that Miyagi Chojun Sensei is said to have chosen the name for his fighting system from the third line of the kempo hakku.
I have included the Japanese and English translations.
1. Jinshin wa tenchi ni onaji.
The mind is one with heaven and earth.
2. Ketsumyaku wa nichigetsu ni nitari.
The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to that of the sun and the moon.
3. Ho wa goju no donto su.
The way of inhaling and exhaling is hard and soft.
4. Mi wa toki ni shitagai hen ni ozu.
Act in accordance with time and change.
5. Te wa ku ni ai sunawachi hairu.
Techniques occur in the absence of conscious thought.
6. Shintai wa hakarite riho su.
The feet advance and retreat, separate and meet.
7. Me wa shiho wo miru wa yosu.
The eyes must watch all four directions.
8. Mimi wa yoku happo wo kiku.
The ears listen in all eight directions.
If I ever become in complete accord with the Kempo Hakku I imagine that I shall be able to give up all striving in goju ryu, and indeed maybe everything else. Ken Zen des. I would continue to do kata and bunkai and drink beer with my dojo friends. And I would continue to teach mudansha. So maybe nothing would really have changed.