Introducing the coolest Japanese phrases, as chosen by the Japanese people themselves.
This time, it’s the three-letter word edition.
Two-Character Edition is here
Three-Character Edition is here
- 一騎当千(ikkitosen)
- 疾風怒濤(shippudoto)
- 泰然自若(taizenjijaku)
- 八面玲瓏(hachimenreiro)
- 猛虎伏草(mokofukuso)
- 鬼面仏心(kimembusshin)
- 国士無双(kokushimuso)
- 百折不撓(hyakusetsufuto)
- 万里一空(banriikku)
- 駑馬十駕(dobajuga)
万里一空(banriikku)
■The Meaning of “万里一空(banriikku)”
Like the sky stretching endlessly, the mind is clear and cloudless.
By extension, it also represents a state of mind that has reached a single realm,
having cast aside selfishness and confusion.
万里(Banri): An infinitely vast distance; boundless expanse
一空(Ikku): One sky. A state free of distracting thoughts, utterly clear
⇒ “A single, clear sky stretching endlessly”
This visual image itself serves as a metaphor for “state of mind.”
■The Origin of “万里一空(banriikku)”
A term originating from Zen Buddhism,
it describes the state of mind attained after letting go of all attachments, desires, and delusions through spiritual practice.
It is highly valued in the worlds of martial arts, Zen, and tea ceremony,
and in kendo and kyudo in particular,
it has been used to refer to the “state of mindlessness” that transcends winning, losing, and fear.
A famous example is often discussed in relation to the spirituality of the sword saint, Miyamoto Musashi.
