Kensei
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In ancient Japan, a kensei (剣聖, sword's saint; sometimes rendered in English as Kensai, Ken Sai, Kansei, or Kenshei) was an honorary title given to a warrior of legendary skill in swordsmanship. The literal translation of "kensei" is "sword saint". Thus, the term is considered by some to imply a higher degree of perfection (possibly also encompassing a moral dimension) than the more commonly used kengō (剣豪) or "great sword." This is not to be confused with the word kenshi (剣士), meaning "swordsman".
Among swordsmen widely regarded as kensei, the most famous one is Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵). Other historical kensei are often the founders of popular schools of swordsmanship. Although there is no such written rule, the title carries such prestige that it is commonly understood that there should be no more than one kensei at any given time.
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[edit] History
Depending on the kanji symbol used, "ken" may be translated as either "sword" or "fist", thus the term kensei was also adapted in Okinawa to literally mean "fist saint" (拳聖) or "sacred fists" in honoring one of Okinawa's most notable martial arts masters, Higaonna Kanryō.[citation needed] He is credited with formalizing & founding Naha-Te, which is one of modern Karate's direct predecessors. One of Higaonna Kanryō's student's, Chojun Miyagi, who founded the Gōjū-ryū style of karate, is also recognized as Kensei.[citation needed]
[edit] Notable kensei
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This list of "famous" or "notable" persons has no clear inclusion or exclusion criteria. Please help to define clear inclusion criteria and edit the list to contain only subjects that fit that criteria. |
- Hattori Hanzō
- Higaonna Kanryō (fist saint)
- Ito Ittosai Kagehisa
- Minamoto no Yoshitsune
- Saitō no Musashibō Benkei
- Miyamoto Musashi
- Sasaki Kojirō
- Tsukahara Bokuden
- Yagyu Hyogonosuke
- Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi
- Yagyū Munenori
- Okita Sōji
- Kawakami Gensai
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Australian Goju Kai Karate - Article on Naha-te & Sensei Kanryo Higaonna
- Houston Samurai Martial Sports - Article on the history of Goju-Ryu
- Kensei Kensan Kai - 剣聖研鑚会 - Kendo & Iaido practitioners in Japan and Sweden
- Kensei Ryu International - Brief summary of Kensei
- Northwest Goju Ryu - Article on Kensei Kanryo Higashionna
- Okinawa Karate & Kobudo blog - on the kanji of kensei
- Shima Karate - Article on the History of Martial Arts
