Polish Yourself
The phrase “jiko tansei” has a meaning similar to self-improvement, but includes not just an effort to improve in a physical sense but also the sincere effort to strengthen one’s own character. This is what Kinjō Kaichō means by “polish yourself.” The effort to polish yourself is not just important to success in the martial arts or other performing arts. It is an important secret to living a full life.
Zen Buddhist monk Taidō Matsubara uses the phrase “Isshō jiko tansei” (一生 自己 丹誠). By this he means that we must work diligently our whole life to strengthen our character. According to Taidō, these three practices are the qualities upon which “jiko tansei” is based:
- Live every day with passion
- Be dedicated to spiritual improvement
- Have aspirations
Polish the Blunt Sword
No matter how much you polish your blunt sword,
It’s useless.
You don’t have to listen to such words.
Polish it hard.
The sword may not shine,
But the person who polishes changes.
SAKAMURA SHINMIN, poet known for TANKA (thirty-one syllable poems)
Sōke Kaichō Kinjō has provided the tools, but not every student, even with great personal drive, will go on to become the next Kinjō Kaichō. Our swords may not shine as brightly, but we will have polished ourselves in the process.
Beauty
We tend not to think of Western culture influencing Zen thought, but Zen Master and Buddhist writer Hata Esho often quoted the following poem to illustrate the kind of beauty that is created by a lifetime of polishing oneself:
BEAUTIFUL WOMEN
WOMEN sit, or move to and fro—some old, some young;
The young are beautiful—but the old are more beauti-
ful than the young.
Quote from Leaves of Grass by American poet, Walt Whitman
While Whitman’s poem is written about the beauty of women, it is equally true of men – though we usually think of a man’s character showing in his face rather than his beauty.
My personal favorite quote illustrating the kind of beauty that is created by a lifetime of polishing oneself:
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.”
Quote from Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist
Work Earnestly on Yourself
Jiko o tansei suru (一生 自己 を 丹誠 する)
October, 2019