noun
counterattack after defense; striking after parrying
Martial arts term: a tactic where one immediately counters after blocking or evading an opponent's attack. Often contrasted with 先の先 (attacking before the opponent) and 対の先 (attacking simultaneously).
See also: 返し技 (かえしわざ)
彼は後の先の達人で、相手の攻撃を受け流してから素早く反撃する。
He is a master of go-no-sen, parrying the opponent's attack and then quickly counterattacking.
剣道では、後の先を取ることが重要とされる。
In kendo, it is considered important to seize go-no-sen (the initiative after the opponent's attack).
A general term for counter techniques; 後の先 is a specific timing concept within counterattacking.
From 後 (go, 'after') + の (no, possessive) + 先 (sen, 'before' or 'initiative'). Literally 'the initiative after', referring to seizing the offensive moment after the opponent's attack.