Sen-no-sen
先の先
Striking the opponent at the moment they begin to attack. One of three ways of taking the initiative, whose exact interpretation differs between schools.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Sen-no-sen (先の先) literally means “initiative of the initiative.” The word sen (先) means lead, initiative. It usually refers to striking the opponent at the moment they decide to attack, as the attack begins. The fighter attacks into that movement and hits before the opponent completes the technique. Japanese martial arts describe three ways of taking the initiative: go-no-sen, sen-no-sen and sen-sen-no-sen. Interpretations differ between schools and authors, however. In some places sen-no-sen denotes a simultaneous attack by both opponents, elsewhere forestalling the attack before it begins. Miyamoto Musashi used an older division in The Book of Five Rings: ken no sen, tai no sen and tai tai no sen.