A lone combatant against the post
Visualising - all he fears and loathes
The mental training, the physical task
His face is grim, the warriors mask.

All muscles aching, All protesting
This is a time of mental testing
One man against the forging post
Its' curses are its' blessings.

Different names in different lands
results the same - those Iron Hands
Makiwara - the forging post
Standing proud, the silent host.

Strike the post with firm resolve
With strength and power, the chi evolves
Both friend and Nemesis, the post will be
You're never let off easily.

Strike one thousand times a day
Then safely, you can walk away
Antagonism, a powerful tool
Like spite and anger - a trait of fools.

Throw every strike, as if your last
Into the post - that testing mast
Mind your stance, the root of power
An unstable base is a toppling tower.

Chant to yourself, Fight on, Fight on!
Recite these words when life is wrong
When life and fate seem both against you
The forging post will help sustain you.

One more strike, your hands are bleeding
Building skills that you believe in
Test your limits - ignore the pain
You'll live to face the post again!