Yes, looks like I miscalculated the recast but I have to stand with everyone else saying that if you're using up your merits on blade bash then you're not playing right. Hobaku is good against most mobs, not unbeatable but very good. Shiki is useful in some situations, ukon war, pld with chivalry, and just so you don't get the hate from a 300% tp ws. At full merits on meditate and shikokoyo. You will be able to use meditate - sekkanoki - meditate - shikikoyo - meditate. Giving you the best way to use that extra tp which we really don't use all the time.

As for Zanshin, i see the use for it, not knocking it, but don't build to miss.