Language does not extend to explaining the way.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The Book of Five Rings
Miyamoto Musashi wrote
The
Book of Five Rings, a samurai instruction guide concerned with
conflict and strategy.
The book is concerned with having an earnest attitude, of being deadly
serious.
Musashi accepted the inevitability of death.
This enabled him to live life more fully, investing everything he had into
the immediate moment, for it could easily be his
last.
It is essential to see both sides without moving the eyeballs.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
As I see society, people make the arts into commercial products; they think
of themselves as commodities, and also make implements as items of commerce.
Distinguishing the superficial and the substantial, I find this attitude has
less reality than decoration.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The field of martial arts is particularly rife with flamboyant showmanship,
with commercial popularization
and profiteering on the part of those who teach the science and those who
study it.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
It is essential to make sure that obstacles are to the rear of your
opponents,
then chase them into an obstacle any way you can.
When you get opponents to an obstacle,
in order to prevent them from observing the situation,
press your attack without letup so that they cannot look around.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Fixation is the way to death,
fluidity is the way to life.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Discerning the rhythm when the time comes,
one strikes spontaneously and
naturally scores.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
In your footwork,
you should tread strongly on your heels while allowing some leeway in your
toes.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Generally the body goes on the offensive first,
followed up by the stroke of the sword.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
When you want to attack, you remain calm and quiet,
then get the jump on your opponent by attacking suddenly and quickly.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Complementary stepping means that you do not move one foot alone.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Stopping an opponent's attack at the initial onset,
not letting him follow through,
is the sense of 'holding down the pillow'.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
When adversaries are excited and evidently are in a hurry to act,
you behave as though you are completely unfazed,
giving the appearance of being thoroughly relaxed and at ease.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
The trouble with wielding a long sword with both hands is that
it is no good on horseback, no good when running hurriedly,
no good on marshy ground, muddy fields, stony plains,
steep roads, or crowded places.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
It is essential that you follow what
he does,
not letting him relax for a moment.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Page created 12 June 1999