Actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is building a gym in Hawaii that incorporates Japanese philosophy. The revelation was made during his recent visit to Japan to promote the live-action film “Moana”, in which he plays the character Maui. This initiative reflects the artist’s deep connection with Japanese culture, developed over several visits to the country.
Dwayne Johnson’s lasting connection with Japan
The recent trip marked Dwayne Johnson’s return to Japan after 12 years, this time for film promotion. He recalled his first experiences in the early 2000s, when he worked as a professional fighter and participated in tours throughout Japan. These experiences provided an immersion in the local culture and mentality, which, according to him, had a great impact on his personal development.
The actor was also in Japan to film “The Smashing Machine”, alongside Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie. He describes the country as a “special place”, expressing genuine affection for each visit, regardless of the reason. This long history of interactions with Japan paved the way for the inspiration that now guides his new gym project.
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The physical challenges of transitioning film roles
Dwayne Johnson faced a notable physical contrast between two of his most recent roles. In “The Smashing Machine”, he played legendary martial artist Mark Kerr, requiring a body weight of 129 kg. However, the role of Maui in “Moana” would require a different physique, and filming would begin just four weeks after the previous production ended.
Faced with a short deadline for a radical physical transformation, Johnson opted for a creative solution: a special suit. He commissioned Joel Harlow, an Oscar-winning costume designer, to create a piece that simulated the character’s body. The actor described the costume as heavy, around 16 kg, and very hot, but said he was satisfied with the final result, considering the effort worth the quality of the film.
Using the full costume also brought an unexpected benefit to the visual effects team. According to Johnson, it was much simpler to animate Maui’s tattoos, making them appear alive against the costume, than trying to digitally manipulate the actor’s real body for this effect.
The concept of “empty mind” in the new academy
The gym that Dwayne Johnson is building on Hawaiian soil is designed under the Japanese philosophy of “mindlessness.” The central concept is represented by an “enso”, a circle drawn with a single line, which will be part of the space’s floor design. Enso symbolizes the beauty in imperfection and the search for completeness in the act of creating.
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Johnson explained that this enso includes words he repeats daily during his workouts. His personal motto, also influenced by Miyamoto Musashi’s “Book of Five Rings”, is “detachment”. For him, this means focusing only on the present and on the exercise, freeing the mind from unnecessary thoughts.
Miyamoto Musashi’s teachings in daily training
Dwayne Johnson’s discipline is heavily inspired by the principles of Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary Japanese swordsman and author of the “Book of Five Rings.” This classic work of strategy and philosophy is based on the idea of achieving a state of “empty mind” to improve focus and performance, whether in combat or in any task in life.
The actor incorporates these teachings into his daily exercise routine, mentally repeating the phrase “empty mind, empty mind.” This practice helps you maintain full concentration and apply the concept of detachment, eliminating distractions and biases to focus on the task at hand. Eastern philosophy thus becomes a pillar not only of your new training space, but also of your own approach to life and work.
Current Dwayne Johnson Movies Featured
While dedicating himself to new personal projects and blockbuster films, Dwayne Johnson continues to delight the public. The film “Moana”, which features the actor in the role of Maui, continues to be shown in cinemas, providing viewers with the opportunity to see the results of his work and dedication, even in the face of complex production and physical preparation challenges.