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
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Grecomitsu
Wow! Some really good work here! Congrats people; I enjoyed so much reading all that trivia.
2018-01-10 21:16I wonder: is there any explanation behind the 'Head Shaker' name of his T2 theme?
*(perhaps because he shakes his head during some stances?)*
TheFumaken
Ah, this site made the mark I made look all screwed up. Hope you still know what I mean.
2011-07-07 17:53TheFumaken
Yosshimitsu bears a word on his shoulders in Tekken 6. The standard primary costume, and the mechanical customized bodies. Is you buy the hat, that same word is written on it. From reading this text I know now that it doesn't say 'Yoshimitsu'. Does anyone know what it does mean?
2011-07-07 17:52,___|___
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nicholess
i am a new member and i love reading it........got a headache cuz of so many words i read..[hate my head].. but still it was very nice to read......i even let my cousins read it
2009-05-18 09:29Nice NIce NIce NIce Nice NIce Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice Nice
yoshimitsu8861
nice one tenshimitsu!!! I SALUTE YOU!
also KIRIMITSU!
2009-05-01 18:05game_over
'Ansou shuha [Tekken 4] - "I secretly wink at you"...?'
2008-01-04 00:56I know it may sound quite...nasty, but I think he was trying to say "Nice butt".
Great article BTW.
Sakujo
It's awesome! I love the translating.
2007-12-30 12:41And Yoshi has the same blood type as me ^_^ But I'm not carefull and loved by all O_o
tinski
Kiri & Tenshi, salute to you! the kanji's and.. and everting is so.. perfect o_o
2007-08-27 16:47yme
what can I say?... ... ... ... NOTHING! ... ... ... ... ... ...
2005-04-24 23:49