Shin-gi-tai
心技体
The triad of mind, technique and body. It expresses the ideal that a practitioner should develop all three equally, since none is enough alone.
Quick Facts
Term typePhysical and biomechanical principle
LanguageJapanese
Formphrase
Pronunciation[sheen-ghee-tye]
Alternative Namesmind, technique, body
Readings and romanizations
Reading (kana)しんぎたい
Hepburn romanizationshingitai
Word breakdown
Definition
Shin-gi-tai (心技体) combines three characters: shin (mind, spirit), gi (technique, skill) and tai (body). It expresses the ideal of balanced development. Technique without strength and fitness is ineffective, strength without technique is crude, and both without a firm mind fail under pressure. The expression is used in Japanese martial arts and in sport, in judo, karate, kendo and sumo. It is more an educational slogan than a precisely defined concept.