Who was Miyamoto Musashi?

Miyamoto Musashi was a historical character who understood the importance of martial training. He was a talented swordsman, and his strategy is applicable in today's world, in business and in martial arts training.

In his "Book of Five Rings", or "Go Rin No Sho", he wrote:"If you practise day and night in the ichi school strategy, your spirit will naturally broaden. This is large scale strategy and the strategy of hand to hand combat propagated in the world".

Do not think dishonestly
The Way is in training
Become acquainted with every art
Know the Ways of professions
Distinguish between gain and loss in wordly matters
Develop intuitive judgment and understanding for everything
Perceive those things which cannot be seen
Pay attention even to trifles
Do nothing which is of no use

He also wrote:

The first of three methods of forestalling an enemy is to forestall him by attacking. This is called Ken no Sen (to set him up)
The second method is to forestall him as he attacks. This is called Tai no Sen (to wait for the initiative).
The third is when you and the enemy attack together. This is called Tai Tai no Sen (to accompany him and forestall him).

"There are no methods of taking the lead other than these three. Because you can win quickly by taking the lead, it is one of the most important things in strategy. There are several things involved in taking the lead. You must make the best of the situation, see through the enemy's spirit so that you grasp his strategy and defeat him. It is impossible to write about this in detail".

Musashi developed his strategies in the bloody battles of ancient Japan. What this means for today's martial artist still holds true even though most battles are not to the death, but in surviving day to day.

Click here for a link to the Book of Five Rings