One hand is open and one is closed into a fist. What is the symbolism of this? The right hand is closed to represent the hard aspects of our style. It also suggests that we have the ability to defend ourselves if required. The left hand is open to represent the softer aspects of our style. It represents peace and tells us that we have no weapons and we strive to avoid trouble.
In the book, "Japan: Strategy of the Unseen", by Michel Random the quote I am referring to is as follows: "The open palm of the Buddha’s represents the Extended, the Infinite. A closed fist represents only itself."
The open palm as stated above tells us that our training is not a goal but a life long endeavor that is never over or you could say infinite in its nature for training and practice takes us all the way to our transition to the Tao.
The closed fist represents only itself might suggest that lost path, the closed mind, the trap that our ego puts on our mind and thus into our bodies. If we close our minds to the possibilities of what life and practice have to offer then we close ourselves to the possibilities that are afforded to us in our journey to enlightenment.
The open hand and closed fist also represent the "in-yo" or dualism of nature that must become one or the Tao of life. All things begin and end with one.
We can also say that the open hand represents the state of mind we must all maintain in our practice as well as in our lives. To keep our minds open to all of life's possibilities and use the singular practice of the way of the empty hand as our guide in reaching out to the stars.
Lastly, I also feel it signifies the maxim of soft-to-hard:hard-to-soft applications. I believe this is symbolized because it provides a maxim that applies to all technique applications depending on the targeting. A punch involves the closed fist and punching with the fore-knuckles, i.e. karate punch, and a strike involves the open hand such as a slap to the head, an open handed back hand to the face, or the use of the open hand, the elbow, the forearm or both elbow and forearm. The soft-to-hard:hard-to-soft maxim means use a hard, fist, against soft targets; a soft, strike/slap, against hard targets.
Bibliography:
Sutrisno, Tristan, MacYoung, Marc and Gordon, Dianna. "Becoming a Complete Martial Artist: Error Detection in Self Defense and the Martial Arts." Lyons Press. Connecticut. 2005.
My personal "Interpretive" Lens!
"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon
"What is true today may be reevaluated as false not long after. Judgements are frequently based upon a set of "temporary" circumstances surrounding them. Conflicting ideologies can exist simultaneously. Antagonistic dualities are complementary aspects of a unified whole: are seen as mutually dependent mirror images of each other." - Nahum Stiskin
Warning, Caveat and Note: The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
Kenpo Gokui
A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactile, olfactory and gustation data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction
All Bottles are Truly Good
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