Nakaima

[Dave Lowry]

All,
Donn Draeger used an expression in one of his books I've never heard or read in Japanese. "Nakaima." He used it in the sense of the Latin "nunc et semper." An "eternal present." I believe he used it in reference to being part of a chain, being linked to the past and to the future through the aegis of the ryu.
Have any of you ever heard this word? Cannot find it in a cursory dictonary search here.

Thanks.

Cordially,

[renfield_kuroda]

Well, I found one (dubious?) web page that says "nakaima is the way of thinking that sees every moment and its activities as having intrinsic value"
http://www.googlism.com/who_is/n/nakaima/

Lots of sensei/people names Nakaima, another reference to nakaima in:
http://www.csuchico.edu/~georgew/tsa/Introduction.html
"In the language of Shinto, there is a term nakaima which means quite literally "in the middle of now". Restated in terms of Western philosophical thought it might be titled the doctrine of the "Ultimate Reality of Presentness"."

Hope this helps.
Regards,

r e n

[samuel-t]

Originally posted by renfield_kuroda
In the language of Shinto, there is a term nakaima which means quite literally "in the middle of now"
That's a really good way of expressing "being in the present", if I may say so.

:smilejapa
/Samuel

[Brian Owens]

Well, from the glossary to Autumn Lightning by Dave Lowry *cough* --
nakaima The idea in Japanese thought that current generations are one link in the continuing chain of human existence. According to the principles of nakaima, to be grateful for the efforts of preceeding generations is best demonstrated by being responsible for the well-being of those that (sic) will follow.

Hope this helps. ;)

[renfield_kuroda]

Am I the only one amused by the fact that David Lowry was quoted to answer a question by...David Lowry?

I love the Internet.

Regards,
r e n

[Dave Lowry]

Thanks all.
Yes, I have used the word--although I'd forgotten about it--but I have never been happy in the lack of documentation for it. I thought given the abundance of high-level and even native speakers here, it'd be a good time to run it by members and see if any had some insight on usage. Just one of many reasons why e-budo is worth a daily scan.

Cordially,

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by renfield_kuroda
Am I the only one amused by the fact that David Lowry was quoted to answer a question by...David Lowry?
Gosh, I sure hope not. :D

Originally posted by renfield_kuroda
I love the Internet.
Oh, so do I. So do I. :laugh:


--Brian "The Unknown Comic" Owens :cool:

[gmellis]

It is Shinto in origin. You will find explanations of it in the links below, as well as a pertinent concept in Zen Buddhism. Hope this helps.

http://homepage2.nifty.com/studio-hearty/kototama/lecture/no163/no163.htm

http://www.kannagara.or.jp/taisai1.html

[Ukihiza]

He never heard of it, but he looked it up in his dictionary and sure enough there it was. He says it means "between past and future." He says it is a classical term, or as he said "shigo desu" dead language. Anyway, he thanked me for teaching him some Japanese.

Thanks, E-Budo!