The name "Yoshimitsu" consists of two words: "Yoshi" [which means "good luck", "good omen"] and "Mitsu" [ "shine", "glow", "light", etc. ].
Below you can see =Yoshimitsu= written in Japanese kanjis:

Article based on materials from "Weboviedo Shorinji Kempo" page.

"Manji" is represented by "Swastika" sign in Japan. But it´s not this detested Nazi sign- The original Swastika derives from India. The translation:

In Sanskrit, old Indo-Iranian language turned sacred language of the Brahmans, the word swastika literally means "let good prevail". Its pictograph2ic representation alludes to meanings such as "whirlwind", "good fortune", "origin of life" and "continual changing universe". It also receives the name of "gammadion cross" because its four arms are similar to four Greek "gamma" letters. Its Japanese name of Manji literally means "ten thousand gods". In old China and Japan this was a symbolic number, used to express a countless number of objects, by that reason "ten thousand gods" want to mean the infinite, the order of the universe and its constant mutation.

Etymology: - Sanskrit: "svastika"- from "svasti"- "good luck, success" ;   more detailed analysis:  "su-" means "good, lucky", "asti"= "he is"

There are two types of Manji:

Omote Manji - is equivalent to the sauvastika ( So Manjito should be translated as "Sauvastika Clan"? ), and it is represented "right spining" (although its wakes aim towards the left) or "right hand raised", or moving clockwise. It symbolizes the infinite compassion and mercy, infinite love, consubstantial to the universe and sustenance of all the things.

Ura manji ("left spinning" manji), which spins unclockwise, is the swastika itself, and represents the reason and the force.

In Japan this sign is still used very often to mark Buddhist temples on maps. ^_^ Omote Manji is the official symbol of Shorinji Kempo [ known also as "Manji Kempo" ]. I think this Martial Art has nothing to do with the way Yoshimitsu fights, but if you want to learn more, visit the "Weboviedo Shorinji Kempo" site. ^_^ There are also more information about the origin of the Manji sign, available in "Philosophy" page. Worth reading!!!

Well... English name "Manji Clan" [ or better: "Swastika Clan" ] can be translated as "Manjito-". [ this dash should be written above "o" - it's a long vowel, which can be also written as "ou". So writing "Manjitou" is not a mistake, I think so... ]. The part "to-" [ or "tou", whatever you want ] means "party" or maybe other kind of association. Note that we don't read "u"! Lenghten a little the pronunciation: just like "Manjito-o". ^_^ All things considered, "Manjito Clan" is a kind of tautology, ehm...^_^ Did you get the point? I'm not good at explanations...
Below you can see "Manjitou" written in Japanese kanjis:

Here we go! If you are sharp-witted, you have definitely noticed that the first sign was written on Yoshimitsu's hat from Tekken 2, and the second: on Yoshimitsu's right arm [ Tekken 2 - 2nd player outfit ] and on Yoshimitsu's back [ Tekken 4 - 1st player outfit ]. The pronunciation of these kanjis is "uchu-ninja" [ yes, another long vowel... ]. "Uchuu" means "outer space", but it's difficult for me to translate each kanji alone... I'm not Japanese... OK, I will try. First kanji [ read: "u" ] means... eh, something that covers something else... it can be also translated as "hood", "sky", "eaves"...but I think the first definition is the most accurate. Second kanji [ "chuu" ] means "space". Hmm, I'm doing quite fine by now...^_^ it sounds logical... Third and forth kanjis [ "ninja" ] ... I think they aren't necessary to translate...^_^ At least not now.
Below you can see =Uchu-Ninja= written in Japanese kanjis:

Well... Some people translate the word "ninja" in the following way:

"The word itself derives from the Japanese Shinobi-no-mono, which is written with two kanji characters that can also be pronounced as nin-sha, if the Chinese pronunciation is used instead. The first character, nin, suggests concealment, while the second, sha, means person. Ninja: a person who hides his presence. In Japanese, the word is applied to a person who does covert, military operations."

OK, it's well-known translation of the word "ninja"... but I'm not sure about this. Below you can see =Ninja= written in Japanese kanjis:

Well, I agree with the translation of the second kanji, but... as far as my little dictionary says, the first kanji means "to endure", "to hold on" [ it means so after attaching an ending "bu". "Shinobu" means "to endure" whereas "shinobi" means "endurant, tough" ]. Chinese pronunciation of this kanji also matches: "nin". To sum up, I think that "ninja" means "an endurant, tough man".

[ UPDATE ] After further studies, I came into the conclusion that Nin can be translates into patience, but can also imply both perseverance and stealth! The Japanese character for Nin consists of two parts or radicals. The upper radical is called yaiba which refers to the cutting edge of a blade. The lower radical can be read either as kokoro or shin, both of which mean heart. So many interpretations of the word "Ninja" are possible! A very "smart" word indeed. ^_^

Japanese pronunciation of these kanjis is a little more complicated: "Shinobi no mono" . "Mono" means just "a person".

And that's why we also have a simple word =Shinobi= . ^_^


Anyway, if you're more interested in Ninjas: visit "Ninja Corner"!

conclusion of the ending description from "Yoshimitsu Bio" page;
by Kirimitsu & Tenshimitsu

[ Kirimitsu ]
While watching the ending movie of Yoshi in T4, I noticed something very odd.
In my PAL version of T4, Yoshimitsu's lines were translated as: "Those who tread the path of evil, will find judgement eventually". But on multiple internet sites (including YOT) i read that his lines are translated as: "You have decided to go down the road of immorality." I decided to try to figure out why there were different translations of the same words, so i began to analyse the Japanese/Kanji version of the ending.
[ Tenshimitsu ]
I did a snapshot from Yoshimitsu's ending and wrote there your translations in your stylish way. ^_^ Hope you like it. ^_^ Because I DO like it! ^_^ heh heh...

Click to enlarge

[ Kirimitsu ]
But "Hutoku miti sabaki kudarou" is not what Yoshi really spoke.
[ Tenshimitsu ]
You forgot particles... ^_^ "Hutoku no miti ni sabaki ga kudarou", or something like this. I hope I'm not making a modern Japanese, heh heh... I prefer "do-" than "miti", I think it makes more sense... "Hutoku no do ni sabaki ga kudarou"? Hmmm...
[ Kirimitsu ]
What he really says in the movie is:
"Tenmo kaikai so ni shite morasazu"
It is an very old (Buddhist?) proverb that means something like: "Harming others will turn to harm oneself" or "A bad deed returns to the doer."
[ Tenshimitsu ]
In fact it means "Heaven's net is of course mesh, but nothing can slip through it", and it was originally said by Lao Tse. It's indeed a very old Japanese proverb. The English equivalent: "God's mill grinds slow but sure". Anyway, the meaning is just about the same as your translations!
[ Kirimitsu ]
So with the wise words Yoshimitsu spoke to Heihachi he did not really mean "You have decided to go down the road of immorality" nor did he mean "Those who tread the path of evil, shall face judgement eventually". ^__^
[ Tenshimitsu ]
I think that the line closed in question marks clarifies the meaning of the proverb. Japanese literature requires a knowledge of more kanji marks [ it's logical: the lettering system evolves with the language, new kanjis are created, older become forgotten... ].
[ Kirimitsu ]
But yes, indeed it could be understood and translated in many different ways. [Ninja's are very good in deception! ;)] So both the other translations are not really wrong. They are just other interpertations of the spoken words.
[ Tenshimitsu ]
Considering the translation of marked sentence, I came to the conclusion that "Those who tread the path of evil, shall face judgement eventually" is better than "You have decided to go down the road of immorality" [ <= no judgement in this translation ]
[ Kirimitsu ]
Hehe- So many mysteries of Yoshimitsu to uncover. The next time i will try to find the meaning of the words "Shiki soku ze kuu!" ^__^ Mata ne!
[ Tenshimitsu ]
Abayo-! Waiting for the next translation! ^_^
Another thing... ^_^
Watch this ending again and take a closer look to Heihachi's behaviour. ^_^ It looks something like this:
Yoshimitsu: "Tenmo kaikai so ni shite morasazu"
Heihachi: "=pause= Wo ha ha ha ha!...lots-of-laugh"
Heh heh... this pause means that poor old Heihachi didn't get the meaning instantly. ^_^ Yoshimitsu is in fact an erudite person! ^_^ Have you read "Ninja Corner" page? Read especially "Common ninja traits" at the very bottom!

Japanese culture uses blood types as an indicator of someone's personality similiar to the Horoscope. That's why all Tekken characters have such a detailed "catch copy". Yoshimitsu's blood type is 0.

Type 0 blood people tend to be careful and peaceful. They are generous, benevolent, and often set the mood for a group, attempting to create harmony among its members. They are also generous with their money and don't mind spending it on other people. "0 Types" are generally "loved by all" because of their easy-going and generous nature as well as their apparent innocence. They are often confident, intelligent, just and well-informed about people's needs and so they have perfect predispositions to be respected and loved leader. However, "0 types" can have a stubborn and strong-willed side, and often have their own opinions on things, even if those opinions are rarely revealed. They often have their aim in life which determines all of their actions. This strongly purpose-oriented attitude may cause them to become workaholic, uncompromising and even cold-natured. Fortunately, this rarely happens because "0 types" are also flexible and adaptable and thus, they readily accept new ideas and situations with little complaint. They can be easily influenced by other people or the media if only the ideas they represent are good and helpful. They also appear to be trustworthy.

What is the most interesting, Kunimitsu's bloodtype is also 0... Hmmm...^_^ Does it mean that Yoshimitsu is a compilation of all good features whereas Kuni has only bad features? As one philosopher said: "The same path leads both up and down".
Compare this horoscope with the name analysis at the very bottom. I think that both of them are good, they describe different parts of Yoshi's nature.

At last! Together with Kirimitsu, I managed to translate Yoshimitsu's words! In the first winning stance [ hold square button ] Yoshi waves his sword and says...:
"Shiki soku ze kuu"! [ not "shichi soku sei", as I previously thought... ^_^ ].
I found out not only what it means, but also: where it is from!
1. Firstly: what does it mean?
It means "Form (matter) is itself emptiness"
[ Small note for Soul Calibur players! In the English version, his words were translated as "Your life is in vain". Well, this translation is completely different... the same goes to the translation of "Namu namu (...)". It was translated as "May there be mercy for you?". Hah! What I think is that these words couldn't be translated literally. What would you think if you read "The form is emptiness"? (I would think: "Is he nuts or something?" Heh heh... hey, just joking! Of course I would try to get the meaning!) It HAS to have an explanation, the same goes to "Namu namu (...)". Read on! ]
***Another note: In Tekken 4, Yoshimitsu adds at the end "saraba", which means: "farewell". ^_^ [ "Shiki soku ze kuu, saraba!" ^_^ ]
2. Secondly: Where is it from?
These words are a part of Buddhist "Heart sutra". [ You can see a whole sutra written in Japanese kanji marks at the end of this article. Don't panic. ^_^ A translation follows this picture. ^_^ ]. So we know for sure that Yoshimitsu is a Buddhist! ^_^ [ what a suprise, huh? ]
3. Other appearances of the "Heart sutra"
To my suprise, some pieces of this sutra appeared in the music devoted to Yoshi!

• *** Listen to "The Headshaker"!***
  You can hear a singer chanting the following words:
  shiki fu i kuu kuu fu i shiki
  shiki soku ze kuu kuu soku ze shiki
  Scroll the page to the translation of the "Heart sutra" and find these words. ^_^
• *** Yoshi's TTT BGM has something to do with this sutra!***
  Listen to it carefully. "No eye, no ear, no nose...".
  I was extremely suprised when I found these words in the sutra as well! ^_^

I found an article clarifying the very core of the words "Shiki soku ze kuu":
[ Excerpted from Buddhism for Today, published by Kosei Publishing Co. ]

" Shakyamuni Buddha taught about matter correctly more than two thousand years ago. He proclaimed it as "shiki soku zeku" [ other spelling: "Shiki soku ze kuu" ] and "ku soku zeshiki" [ "Kuu soku ze shiki" ]. "Kuu", or "sunyata", literally "emptiness," is often synonymous with "nothingness", which does not mean that nothing exists but that there is no unchanging, eternal substance. In other words, the essence of things is their "equality". "Shiki" implies "phenomena". "Shiki soku ze kuu" indicates the idea that all things, including matter, the human mind, and events, essentially originate from the same foundation. Though these things seem to be different from one another in the eyes of human beings, their real state is equal. When analyzed to the utmost possible limit, all things are equal because they are energy (force) of some kind. Similarly, "kuu soku ze shiki" means that all things, including matter, mind, and events, are produced by "kuu", and therefore "kuu" is identical with "shiki". In short, all phenomena are essentially equal and at the same time manifest themselves as they are. "

Here's another explanation for the "Shikisokuzeku" words:

"Shikisokuzeku" is a metaphysical aspect of a practice called "Hannyashinkyo", which is one of the branches of Buddhism.
"Shiki" means material. "Ku" means emptiness. "Shikisokuzeku" means that material is not important, and that a healthy spirit is the most important thing for humanbeings.

4. Other Yoshimitsu's sayings:

• Jigajisan! [Tekken 4] - means "Self praise"
• (laughing) Gusha ittoku! [Tekken 4] - means "Even a fool can sometimes propose a good idea"
• Jigou jitoku! [Tekken 4] - Literally means, "self-deed, self-gain." A wider translation is, "to suffer for doing wrong." It is similar to English expressions "you deserve what you get" or "As you sow, so will you reap", "You asked for that"...etc. This is a proverb from the large amount of so-called Japanese "Yoji-Jukugo".
  
• Rakuchi seikon [Tekken 4] - (needs further studies...)
• Ansou shuha [Tekken 4] - "I secretly wink at you"...? (needs further studies...)
• Ansha horin, shoujin sei? [Tekken 4] - (needs further studies...)

Now something for Soul Calibur players. ^_^ I'm sure you are curious what Yoshimitsu mutters in the winning stance where he sits down with the sword held in front of him.
Yoshimitsu says repeatedly: "Namu namu namu namu...!" etc.

Believe me or not, but it's also a kind of Buddhist prayer! Here's a part of an article from "Buddhism for Today" [ Kosei Publishing Co., all rights reserved ]

" Our awareness of being caused to live is our true salvation. Our absolute devotion to the truth that imparts life to us, so that we utter "Namu" in our hearts, must be said to be the highest reach of faith. Namu comes from the Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit word namas, and means to take refuge in the Dharma wholeheartedly, with utter faith and trust. The state of religious exaltation in which we feel inexpressible gratitude to and joy in the Dharma is also included in the word namu. We do not worship a thing, a person, a spirit, or a god existing outside ourselves, but devote ourselves to the Dharma, which causes us to live and unites us with it--this is the purest and the supreme faith. "

[ one thing from Tenshi: I have nothing to Buddhism, but let's be tolerant: I don't like the state that "(Buddhism) is the purest and the supreme faith". Ahem! Buddhism is not "the best". The author probably didn't study other religions, and what I always say is: "Don't talk about things you don't know." The author should be more objective in my opinion. ]

I think that for many non-Buddhist people, the "Dharma" is not a clear concept. For everyone more interested in this topic, I suggest you go to the website I took the materials from. Click here! [ This link will open a separated window ]

Heart Sutra

Maka hannya haramitta shin gyoo

From the site Amida net (?)



Here is phonetic script of the Heart Sutra in Japanese:

Kan ji zai bo sa gyo- jin han-nya ha ra mi ta ji
sho- ken go on kai ku- do is-sai ku yaku.

Sha ri shi shiki fu I ku- ku- fu I shiki
shiki soku ze ku- ku- soku ze shiki.
Ju so- gyo- shiki yaku bu nyo ze.

Sha ri shi ze sho ho- ku- so-
Fu sho- fu metsu fu ku fu jo- fu zo- fu gen ze ko ku- chu-
Mu shiki mu ju so- gyo- shiki mu gen-ni bi zes-shin I
mu shiki sho- ko- mi soku ho- mu gen kai nai shi mu I shiki kai
mu mu myo- yaku mu mu myo- jin.
Nai shi mu ro- shi yaku mu ro- shi jin
mu ku shu metsu do- mu chi yaku mu toku I mu sho tok'ko.

Bo dai sat-ta e han-nya ha ra mi ta ko
shim-mu kei ge mu kei ge ko mu u ku fu
on ri is-sai ten do- mu so- ku gyo- ne han.
San ze sho butsu e han-nya ha ra mi ta ko
Toku a noku ta ra sam-myaku sam-bo dai.
Ko chi han-nya ha ra mi ta ze dai shin shu ze dai myo- shu
ze mu jo- shu ze mu to- to- shu no- jo is-sai ku shin jitsu fu ko.

Ko setsu han-mya ha ra mi ta shu soku setsu shu watsu
Gya tei gya tei ha ra gya tei hara so- gya tei.

Bodhi sva-ha- ka han-nya shin gyo.

The translation:

MAKA HANNYA HARAMITTA SHIN GYOO
The Essence of the Great Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom Sutra

KANJIZAI BOSATSU GYOO JIN HANNYA HARAMITTA JI SHOOKEN GOON KAIKUU DO ISSAI KUYAKU
When Avalokitateshvara Bodhisattva performed the deep practice in the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom, he contemplated that the five aggregates are all void, thereby attaining emancipation from all suffering.

SHARISHI SHIKI FU I KUU KUU FU I SHIKI SHIKI SOKU ZE KUU KUU SOKU ZE SHIKI JU SOO GYOO SHIKI YAKU BU NYOZE
O Shariputra, form is not different from voidness; voidness is not different from form. Form is itself voidness; voidness is itself form. So it is for perception, conception, volition and consciousness.

SHARISHI ZE SHOHOO KUUSOO FUSHOO FUMETSU FUKU FUJOO FUZOO FUGEN
O Shariputra, all things have the characteristics of voidness. They neither arise nor perish; they are neither defiled nor pure; they neither increase nor decrease.

ZE KO KUUCHUU MU SHIKI MU JU SOO GYOO SHIKI MU GEN NI BI ZETSU SHIN I
For this reason, within the voidness, there is no form, no perception, no conception, no volition or consciousness; there is no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue, no body or mind;

MU SHIKI SHOO KOO MI SOKU HOO
neither is there form, sound, smell, taste, tactile object nor concept;

MU GENKAI NAISHI MU ISHIKIKAI
neither is there realm of sight, etc., until we come to the non-existence of realm of consciousness;

MU MUMYOO YAKU MU MUMYOOJIN NAISHI MU ROOSHI YAKU MU ROOSHIJIN
neither is there ignorance, nor extinction of ignorance, etc., until we come to the non-existence of old age and death and the non-extinction of old age and death;

MU KUSHUUMETSUDOO
neither is there suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering, nor the path leading to cessation of suffering.

MU CHI YAKU MU TOKU
There is neither wisdom nor acquisition.

I MUSHOTOKU KO BODAISATTA E HANNYA HARAMITTA KO SHIN MU KEIGE MUKEGE KO MU U KUFU ONRI ISSAI TENDOO MUSOO KUGYOO NEHAN
Because there is no grasping, namely, through the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom, bodhisattvas attain the unhindered state of mind. Because of the absence of hindrance, they have no fear. Having removed all inverted and delusory thoughts, they reach Nirvana.

SANZE SHOBUTSU E HANNYA HARAMITTA KO TOKU ANOKUTARA SANMYAKU SANBODAI
Through the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom, all Buddhas of the three periods realize the highest, perfect Enlightenment.

KO CHI HANNYA HARAMITTA ZE DAIJINSHU ZE DAIMYOOSHU ZE MUJOOSHU ZE MUTOODOOSHU NOOJO ISSAI KU SHINJITSU FUKO
For this reason, we know that the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom is a Great Divine Mantra, a Great Wisdom Mantra, an Unsurpassed Mantra, and an Unequaled Mantra. It is capable of removing all suffering. It is true and unperverted.

KO SETSU HANNYA HARAMITTA SHU SOKU SETSU SHU WATSU
Hence, the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom Mantra is proclaimed as follows:

GYATEI GYATEI HARAGYATEI HARASOOGYATEI BOJI SOHAKA
[ equal to: "Gate Gate Paragate Parasmagate Bodhisvaha!" ]
"Gone, gone, gone to the other shore;
Gone completely to the other shore.
Bodhi Svaha."

HANNYASHINGYOO
Here ends the Essence of the Transcendent Wisdom Sutra