There is even rhythm in being empty.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
There are rules for learning the art:
1. Think of what is right and true.
2. Practice and cultivate the science.
3. Become acquainted with the arts.
4. Know the principles of the crafts.
5. Understand the harm and benefit in everything.
6. Learn to see everything accurately.
7. Become aware of what is not obvious.
8. Be careful even in small matters.
9. Do not do anything useless.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Manipulate their attention,
making them think confusing thoughts about what you are going to do.
It means finding a rhythm that will fluster adversaries.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that
they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they
will be useful in all things.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The idea is that when you close in on an opponent,
you get in there quickly, before the opponent strikes,
without putting forth a hand at all.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
When you inflict pain on part of his body
each time an opponent makes an aggressive move,
his body will weaken by degrees until he is ready to collapse
and it is easy to beat him.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The state of mind should remain the same as normal...
let there be no change at all - with the mind open and direct,
neither tense nor relax,
centering the mind so that there is no imbalance,
calmly relax your mind,
and savour this moment of ease thoroughly,
so that the relaxation does not stop its relaxation for even an instant.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Take up your stance with the sun behind you.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Your face should not be tilted downward, upward, or to the side.
Your gaze should be steady.
Keep your eyes unmoving, and try not to blink.
Narrow your eyes slightly.
The idea is to keep a serene expression on your face,
nose straight, chin slightly forward.
The back of the neck should be straight,
with strength focused in the nape.
Feeling the whole body from the shoulders down as one,
lower the shoulders, keep the spine straight,
and do not let the buttocks stick out.
Concentrate power in the lower legs,
from the knees down through the tips of the feet.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The idea of the slapping parry is not to hit particularly hard,
nor to catch and block.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
My way of teaching martial arts is to have beginners learn and practice
those of the techniques that are easily mastered, first teaching them the
principles that they will readily understand.
As for those things that their minds have a hard time reaching, I observe
the understanding of each individual, subsequently teaching them deeper
principles gradually, step by step.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
It is bad to do the same thing over and over again.
Change your tactics abruptly,
doing something completely different.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The sticky body means getting inside and sticking fast to an opponent.
Sticking to an opponent means that you stick so close
that there is no gap between your bodies.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Plunge right in without any hesitation in your steps.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Page created 12 June 1999