Karate Essence, ‘Ethical Philosophy’, 'Zanshin' the Perfect Fighting Mind
- tdmckinnon0
- Apr 14
- 10 min read
Karate Essence
Ethical Philosophy
Photograph & Editing by Zoё Lake
Zanshin
Enriches all
By T.D. McKinnon Hanshi
Zanshin is not the exclusive property of Karate, of course; or even the martial arts in general. Zanshin is a necessary characteristic of any credible soldier, police officer, security operative, and martial artist in general. Also, outside of any fighting formats, the Japanese art of ikebana (flower arranging), Chado (the tea ceremony) and Sumi-e (ink painting) requires Zanshin: ‘the state of being ever present’.
Table of Contents
Western Attempts to Translate
Literal Translation
Zanshin & the Martial Arts
Zanshin a Personal Perspective
Zanshin at Work
Conclusion
Western Attempts to Translate
I’ve heard many attempts by instructors to translate Zanshin into English for the Western student to understand:
Zanshin: being in the zone, a mental state of focused concentration on the performance of an activity; while dissociating oneself from any distracting, or irrelevant aspects of one's environment.
Zanshin: a state of readiness to do again what you have already successfully done.
Zanshin: to be focused intently on the moment (without emotion)... a state of sustained, committed attentiveness on the moment.
These are just three of the myriad of explanations I have heard, many are more insufficient, and one or two are perhaps a little better.
Literal translation
Literally translated, Zanshin is ‘left over or remaining heart /spirit/mind’.
However, for the Budōka and the dedicated karateka, I believe that the following phrase, ‘Zanshin can be said to be a state of total awareness: being centered within, whilst hyper aware of one's surroundings, and being totally prepared for anything’, would be as close to the literal Budō meaning as the English language can accommodate.
Zanshin, for the karateka, also conveys the fighting spirit of the individual after the fight is over. If victorious, there is a forward-looking awareness that does not lose focus by the victory. If by chance the fight is lost there is an indomitable spirit that is evident, with honour and grace, and is never defeated. To encapsulate in a single sentence for karateka: ‘Zanshin can be said to be a state of total, calm, alertness – before, during and after combat – a physical, mental and spiritual state of awareness.’
Zanshin & the Martial Arts
In Kyudō, the Japanese martial art of archery, Zanshin is mentioned when referring to the body posture after the loosing of an arrow; the posture is intended to reflect the mental aspect (Zanshin) maintained before, during, and after an action.
In Kendō, inspired by Kenjutsu (the ancient art of the sword) and fought with bamboo swords (Shinai) and body armor (bōgu), Zanshin is the continued state of alertness of spirit, mind and body; in readiness to meet the situation, and which must be maintained throughout. Zanshin is one of the essential elements that define a good attack.
In Iaido, the drawing and cutting with the Katana, the practice is calm and quiet; and the most important feature of Iaido is the development of Zanshin: maintaining a calm, reflective mind throughout.
In a Budō Karate competition, shobu sanbon or shobu ippon, Zanshin is a necessary element for which a technique is to be considered a score. Zanshin must be maintained before, during and after the scoring technique.
In the performance of Kata; without Zanshin, Kata would simply be a number of techniques performed in a dramatic arrangement – as seems to be the case with many ‘sport’ Karate performers.
The Importance of Zanshin
In my formative Karate years, I had the very good fortune of having Enoeda Keinosuke Sensei, R.I.P, as my Chief Instructor. Watching Enoeda Sensei perform Kata was akin to witnessing ‘a Samurai in the midst of battle’.
For a karateka who is approaching a Shodan grading, two of the bare minimum prerequisites should be a solid understanding, along with an effective demonstration, of ‘Kime’ and ‘Zanshin’. Most certainly, a Torakan karateka must be displaying those attributes in preparation for a Shodan grading.
The famous samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, reputedly said:
“Both in fighting and in everyday life, you should be determined though calm. When your spirit is calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed do not let your spirit slacken… Zanshin.”
Zanshin a Personal Perspective
Formerly, as the CEO of a high-end, close personal protection company, I was responsible for selecting the close personal protection operatives (CPPOs). All were martial arts trained to some degree, of course. Some of them were former soldiers, and some were former police officers; and most people would probably assume that they were obviously engaged for their martial skills. However, their combat ability, certainly a desirable factor, wasn’t the primary dynamic in their engagement. Each successful CPPO applicant possessed that subjective but essential, qualitative characteristic: Zanshin.
Zanshin at Work
Before founding my own company, I worked as a freelance operative, and while I was a freelance CPPO I endeavoured to work with the best professionals around. That way, apart from garnering more positive experience, there was more chance of staying alive.
On just such an occasion, I was working with three other CPPOs as part of a four man team. The Principal (the person we were protecting) was delivering the news of a hostile takeover to a packed hall of employees, and along with the news that 50% of them would be losing their jobs, while most of those retaining their jobs would receive a pay reduction. It was anticipated that most of the assembly would be disgruntled; and more than a little put out by the turn of events.
After the rumour mill had leaked out about the meeting, and what that meeting might entail, the veiled threats had circulated. It was then that the Principal had decided to procure the services of a professional close protection specialist.
David Buchanan, a fellow Scotsman, was a former British 22nd SAS soldier; and one of the best in the business. I had been introduced to Dave by a mutual acquaintance (the usual method of acquisition in the industry).
This was my debut outing with this particular CPPO crew. We each had small, state of the art, two-way Motorola radios; and we were armed with our personal choice in weaponry. At that time I was using a 9mm Browning Hi-Power – a semi-automatic pistol that I trained with while in the British Parachute Regiment – in a shoulder holster, and a polymer/steel extendable baton in a quick access, cross draw, nylon holster on my belt. Both gun and baton were nicely concealed beneath a custom made suit jacket and, after many hours of practice, either one could be retrieved in the blink of an eye.
This CPPO team was an established unit, and this contract was in effect my audition. The contract threat level was considered to be anything from a low level, 2 of 10, to a medium-high level, 7 of 10; and was to be carried out covertly. In other words, we were to blend in and become part of the wallpaper. The Principal didn’t want us standing around him like a bunch of heavies (which of course, as professionals, we most certainly would not be doing). Regardless of the threat level, once he had a professional team around him he believed he was virtually untouchable. Actually, unless there was a professional hit on him, i.e. a sniper, he was probably right.
There were a number of disgruntled people in that packed little hall, and I could tell that some of them would lynch this guy, if they got a chance… and who could blame them? He was cutting almost everyone’s pay packet and taking away the livelihoods of some completely. If it was me I might be pretty pissed too.
The team, individually, took up strategic positions, constantly scanning for potential problems, while remaining relaxed and none threatening (Zanshin).
As the evening was winding down, almost over, and while there had been some yelling and loud, vocalised threats, it was looking like we had managed to get through the evening without any serious incidents. In fact, while some were talking in small groups, others were making their way from the hall.
That’s when I noticed someone edging, furtively, in the opposite direction of most of the crowd…
“This is Tom, the new guy; watch my mark! Over.” I said quickly into the radio, and I moved immediately to get between the Principal and the possible assailant, while giving a brief description of the suspect, “Big guy, black beard, wearing denim bib and brace… approaching at two o’clock to the Principal.”
As I approached, he either didn’t see me or was ignoring me, and I put up my left hand, palm facing him… “Excuse me, sir‒” is as far as I got, when he pulled out an open clasped hunting knife!
“Get the fuck out of m‒” is as far as he got…
While my left hand was still open and palm facing him, my right hand had slipped inside my coat… The first backhand flick had the extendable baton open by the time it reached his knife hand, and the steel end-section lashed the back of his hand… the second backhand flick, following without pause, caught him across the beard where I gauged his mouth was. The knife clattered to the floor, as his hand opened, involuntarily; closely followed by the would-be assailant, as he dropped to his hands and knees, spitting out blood and broken teeth.
Having been given notice of the nature of the event earlier in the week, the police were close at hand, waiting outside the building, just in case. They were helpful in tidying up the evening; taking away and processing the assailant et cetera.
In that audition, with that very professional team, I was able to demonstrate that my Zanshin was up to the job. I did sympathise with the employees’ position, and I felt genuinely sorry for the guy who had resorted to knife violence; and, as a consequence… reaped the whirlwind.
Conclusion
Zanshin means always being ready to do what is needed when it is needed. Having Zanshin in your life has many merits but one of the chief benefits would be the tendency to avoid pitfalls. Think about it: is it not better to avoid disasters than, after the fact, figuring out how to survive them?
Having a sense of when something is not quite right may not be a measurable element. However, with Zanshin in your daily experience, you will fortuitously take the only route through a disaster zone that delivers you, hale and hearty, to the other side… That is part of what Zanshin can deliver for you; a more fruitful life experience.
Zanshin is a characteristic that will help and assist anyone who takes on the way of the Budōka, or treads the path that we call ‘Karate-Do’. Regardless of what other choices you make in your life, i.e. career, family, living environment et cetera, ‘Zanshin enriches all.’
Thank You to the Readers
As always, thank you for following the ‘Karate Essence’ and I hope you will all take value from the new 2026, ‘Ethical Philosophy’ Blog posts.
Thank you also for continuing to support my latest book, ‘A Budōka Odyssey’. The reviews continue to be excellent!
Top reviews from Australia
Reviewed in Australia on 8 April 2025
Verified Purchase
This book is easy to read in short or long sessions - such an inspirational life story of an amazing guy. Well worth the read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in Australia on 28 May 2024
Written by a man who has lived the life of a modern warrior. His ability to recognise the lessons and gifts in any situation and the having the humility to seek out those who can help you better yourself are important traits we should all endeavour to achieve not just in our own martial arts’ odyssey but in life.
Top reviews from the United Kingdom
Carl Slee
5.0 out of 5 stars
‘A Fascinating Book’
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2024
Verified Purchase
A fascinating book, and not just for those interested in martial arts. Although if you are, this is one of those rare books that will help in not just the development of karate skills but in the facilitation of those psychological states (rarely discussed) of the true karateka.
From early childhood to the present day, Shihan McKinnon shares his adventures as, Truant, Soldier, Nightclub bouncer and Bodyguard as well as Business man but always as a fighter. And in this book he shares with us the ‘gifts’ and ‘Lessons’ that come from such a ‘life worth lived’.
A rare book, in that I found myself re-reading pages, chapters or passages over and over to further understand how such insights related to my own life. And this is the ‘gift’ of this book, I think that each person, whatever gender, age or interest will find something at some point within it, that is very personal and that will reverberate for them, long after reading.
Thank you Shihan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2024
I have to say that I found this book to be compulsive reading. For someone who was born and raised in the West of Scotland I was immediately drawn to T.D. McKinnon’s Scottish roots. He writes in such a concise and realistic manner. As someone with no knowledge of karate and martial arts, I have nevertheless found the main themes of the book easy to follow and this has made me review experiences drawn from my own life. The concept of ‘gifts and lessons’ applies to all life, not just karate. I would recommend this book to anyone, particularly those who are deeply involved in a sport of any kind, and who is striving to be the best person they can be. Read, learn and enjoy.
Thank you for this book, T.D. McKinnon.
Top review from the United States
Minimal shopper
5.1 out of 5 stars
‘A Fine Man Shares a Life of Budō’
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
At over 500 pages there is a lot of content in this autobiographical journey. A quick overview is as follows:
Author Shihan TD McKinnon has had ALOT of fights in his life; starting under the age of 6! He tells the narrative of his life through all those fights and what he learned about himself and life along the way. I appreciate that he doesn’t make self-defense fighting seem glamorous and one sided. He talks about injuries, dangers, and making alternate choices to physical violence as a reality.
This book emphasizes lessons like ‘never quit’, ‘move on to the next venture’, ‘stay in the moment and learn what you can along the way’. I recommend it for young and old, karate people and non-karate folks. He carries the journey into today with a very relevant subject - training and aging. Take it on your next plane trip, or beach vacation. And if you’re a karate instructor, you can work it into your teaching.
This book does not disappoint!
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