Talk:Kensei

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Isn't it Kensei (剣聖)? --Nanshu 23:09, 16 Feb 2004 (UTC)

It depends how you pronounce it. I have even seen it "Kenshi". Most articles on the web call it "Kensei" though. I think it's trivial. --Kensai 21:49, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Do you mean 剣士? --Nanshu 03:52, 30 Sep 2004 (UTC)

No, I mean no one can say for sure that in English (British or American) it sounds better if pronounced Kensei instead of Kensai. It's absolutely trivial! --Kensai 14:08, 14 September 2006 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Basis of this article

I tried googling for a while to find another source for this info and couldn't find anything about kensai being sword monks or whatever. Could anyone link me to a source? I am doubtful of the accuracy of this article. Thanks. JOHN COLLISON | (Ludraman) 21:22, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Search about Miyamoto Musashi. You can also look after the games I quoted. --Kensai 21:46, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Since no one has responded for so many days I guess the issue is considered closed, right? --Kensai 20:26, 21 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Try searching for kensei sword (use the e rather than the a in kensei) on Google. Fg2 05:00, Sep 30, 2004 (UTC)

It appears that Musashi rather than "a kensei" was the kensei, i.e. the term is a sort of epitethon of Musashi's. In this case, this article should just be a redirect to Musashi's article. Or are there any notable "kenseis" besides Musashi? 83.77.208.46 13:05, 17 October 2005 (UTC)

In Japan it is common to name swordmaster a "kensai". This even applies to foreign swordmasters, for example, you can say "spaniard kensai". (added by halooon@o2.pl )

I'd like to voice my concern as well. Does this even belong under factual "martial arts" (as opposed to fiction) if the only factual connection anyone can cite is to Musashi? -Tadakuni 17:57, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Linguistic Disclaimer

I think the linguistic disclaimer should be rewritten. All the points it makes are valid, yes, but there are accepted standards of Romanization for Japanese; it's not exactly an obscure language. I am thinking the "standard" form (i.e. standard dialect, standard romanization) should be highlighted, and other forms (at least one an average reader is likely to encounter) should be listed, but specifically labeled as dialectal or alternat transliteration. As I understand it kensei would be the "standard" form, but kensai seems to be much more commonly encountered in English. --Iustinus 00:01, 1 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Indeed. That's because some English computer games seem to have implemented the "Kensai" form. --Kensai 13:11, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

Sword Saint is the English translation of the word? So would it be worth making a redirect page to here? I notice articles use the word Sword Saint but there is no redirect. I noticed this when I tried to find a link for a friend so I wouldn't have to explain what one is.--LordShard 01:58, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] It

is my impression that the "Heroes" ' captions read "Takezu Kensei".

Thank You,

[[ hopiakuta Please do sign your signature on your message. ~~ Thank You. -]] 02:05, 30 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Regarding Kensei as "sacred fists" or "fist saint"

I've added a paragraph on kensei explaining its use in Okinawa as meaning either "sacred fists" or "fist saint". I also included four external links which corroborate that information.

I understand that depending on the kanji used 'ken' can be read as either 'sword' or 'fist', which would explain the Okinawan translation. I do not read kanji however, so if someone with such knowledge could add the kanji for "sacred fists" to the article, it would be much appreciated. Vlain (talk) 18:48, 11 April 2008 (UTC)

""Ken" is the reading for a kanji symbol meaning "fist" and also for a different kanji symbol meaning "sword". "Kensai" is usually translated "sword saint", when applied to Musashi Miyamoto, but "fist saint" for various Okinawan masters." -footnote from Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins; p.57

http://books.google.com/books?id=BGxQeTMnPzQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Shotokan%27s

Vlain (talk) 19:20, 11 April 2008 (UTC)

I've also added two Okinawan names, who are regarded as Kensei, to the "A few kensei" section. These include Higaonna Kanryō & Chōjun Miyagi.Vlain (talk) 21:20, 11 April 2008 (UTC)