Why name my boat “Zanshin”?

Naming a Boat

Naming a boat isn’t an easy task. The name of boat needs to fulfil a number of criteria in order to be just right. First, a name must be unique within the registry of the flag country, that immediately takes out most common names for vessels as odds are that the given name of your significant other or children are already taken. Secondly, the name should be as short as possible and be one that others can pronounce – a name like “Siobhán of Worchester” is going to be a lot of lettering and provide hours of entertainment with customs officials and other boaters alike. Thirdly, the name should have a significant meaning to you; unless you are buying a commercial tugboat, in which case you probably won’t be reading this.

Aikido (合気道)

I spent my formative years in school in Japan, and subsequently lived and worked there are as well. One day in 7^th grade a big tall American came with a group of rough looking characters to give a demonstration of a Japanese martial art called “Aikido”. After watching the assailants get thrown around like toys and seeing the master cut an arrow in flight with a katana, I thought I’d found my solution to being bullied in school.

I  soon found myself wearing an uncomfortable thick judo “gi” (white cotton training uniform) twice a week, getting thrown around the mats in the school’s fitness room which had a couple of tatami mats. I was taking more of a beating than had I submitted to the bullies, but all in a good cause. That wasn’t enough training and added trips to the main dōjō, located in a somewhat seedy area of Jūsō, Osaka.

I’ve stuck with Aikido since then, trying Uechi Ryu and Shotokan karate and Judo on the way but preferring the attitude and mindset that Aikido instills in it’s practitioners. While still a self-defense and martial art, the goal is to use only the minimum amount of force necessary and to deflect force rather than confront it. This applies equally to combat and to life in general.

Shoshin, Mushin, Fudoshin and Zanshin

Japanese martial arts have several common concepts which relate to mental, as opposed to physical, aspects and which use common terminology. These concepts exist in other martial arts as well, but are named or described differently. These concepts include an appreciation of distance (to the opponent, mai-ai in Aikido) as well as for situational awareness and mindset.

The latter is where “残心” comes from, the characters mean “remaining mind” and refer to awareness and concentration. Different arts have slightly varying definitions, but all require than one is aware of one’s surroundings without concentrating solely on one thing.

Hence “Zanshin” for the boat name. The calm after the action. Travelling the seas and soaking up the culture and scenery (and food) while not focusing exclusively on one thing.