Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent and unique double bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 60 duels. He was the founder of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū or Niten-ryū style of swordsmanship and in his final years authored The Book of Five Rings, a book on strategy, tactics, and...
NationalityJapanese
ProfessionSoldier
CountryJapan
By knowing things that exist, you can know that which does not exist.
One must make the warrior walk his everyday walk.
The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy's useful actions but allow his useless actions
The halberd is inferior to the spear on the battlefield. With the spear you can take the initiative, the halberd is defensive.
If you are not progressing along the true way, a slight twist in the mind can become a major twist. This must be pondered well.
There are many ways of understanding simple things, but generally the opposite is true for difficult ideas
It is difficult to realize the true Way just through sword-fencing. Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things.
Become acquainted with every art.
If there is a Way involving the spirit of not being defeated, to help oneself and gain honour, it is the Way of Strategy.
When the enemy starts to collapse you must pursue him without the chance of letting go. If you fail to take advantage of your enemies collapse, they may recover.
If the enemy stays spirited it is difficult to crush him.
Strategy is the craft of the warrior.
Whatever the Way, the master of strategy does not appear fast.
In the construction of houses, choice of woods is made. Straight un-knotted timber of good appearance is used for the revealed pillars, straight timber with small defects is used for the inner pillars. Timbers of the finest appearance, even if a little weak, is used for the thresholds, lintels, doors, and sliding doors, and so on. Good strong timber, though it be gnarled and knotted, can always be used discreetly in construction.