Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
translated by Victor Harris, Woodstock, NY: Overlook Press, 1974
Water
(56) You must train to achieve this timing, to be able to hit in the timing of an instant.
(59) To Hit the Enemy In One Timing
In One Timing means, when you have closed with the enemy, to hit him as quickly and directly as possible, without moving your body or settlling your spirit, while you see that he is still undecided. The timing of hitting before the enemy decides to withdraw, break or hit, is this “In One Timing”.
(66) Step by step walk the thousand-mile road.
translated by Victor Harris, Woodstock, NY: Overlook Press, 1974
Earth
(49) 1. Do not think dishonestly.
2. The Way is in training.
3. Become acquainted with every art.
4. Know the Ways of all professions.
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.
6. Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything.
7. Perceive those things which cannot be seen.
8. Pay attention even to trifles.
9. Do nothing which is of no use.
[My translation:
First, think of things that are not wicked
Second, study and train in the Way
Third, touch on the various arts
Fourth, know the ways of the various occupations
Fifth, understand gain and loss in everything
Sixth, work at knowing how to judge various things
Seventh, know what cannot be seen by the eye
Eighth, pay attention even to the little things
Ninth, do not be in the position of not doing]
Water
(56) You must train to achieve this timing, to be able to hit in the timing of an instant.
(59) To Hit the Enemy In One Timing
In One Timing means, when you have closed with the enemy, to hit him as quickly and directly as possible, without moving your body or settlling your spirit, while you see that he is still undecided. The timing of hitting before the enemy decides to withdraw, break or hit, is this “In One Timing”.
(66) Step by step walk the thousand-mile road.
Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.
(73) The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy’s useful actions but allow his useless actions. However, doing this alone is defensive. First, you must act according to the Way, suppress the enemy’s techniques, foiling his plans, and thence command him directly. When you can do this you will be a master of strategy.
(82) The Commander Knows the Troops
“The commander knows the troops” applies everywhere in fights in my Way of strategy.
Using the wisdom of strategy, think of the enemy as your own troops. When you think in this way you can move him at will and be able to chase him around. You become the general and the enemy becomes your troops. You must master this.
To Let Go the Hilt
There are various kinds of spirit involved in letting go the hilt.
There is the spirit of winning without a sword. There is also the spirit of holding the long sword but not winning. The various methods cannot be expressed in writing. You must train well.
Wind
(88) In my strategy, I bear my spirit and body straight, and cause the enemy to twist and bend. The necessary spirit is to win by attacking the enemy when his spirit is warped. You must study this well.
(89) In duels of strategy you must move the opponent’s attitude. Attack where his spirit is lax, throw him into confusion, irritate and terrify him. Take advantage of the enemy’s rhythm when he is unsettled and you can win.
(91) Speed is not part of the true Way of strategy. Speed implies that things seem fast or slow, according to whether or not they are in rhythm. Whatever the Way, the master of strategy does not appear fast….
Really skillful people never get out of time, and are always deliberate, and never appear busy. From this example the principle can be seen.
Void
[My translation: The warrior clearly knows the way of strategy, works hard at those other martial arts, does not deviate even a little from the way which a warrior follows. Without a confused spirit, without neglecting a day or an hour, polishing the twofold spirit of heart and mind, sharpening the twofold eyes of perception and sight, not being even a little clouded, coming to the place where you clear away the clouds of bewilderment, you should know the true void….
Fire
(72) To Hold Down a Pillow
Holding down a pillow means not allowing the enemy’s head to rise….
(73) The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy’s useful actions but allow his useless actions. However, doing this alone is defensive. First, you must act according to the Way, suppress the enemy’s techniques, foiling his plans, and thence command him directly. When you can do this you will be a master of strategy.
(82) The Commander Knows the Troops
“The commander knows the troops” applies everywhere in fights in my Way of strategy.
Using the wisdom of strategy, think of the enemy as your own troops. When you think in this way you can move him at will and be able to chase him around. You become the general and the enemy becomes your troops. You must master this.
To Let Go the Hilt
There are various kinds of spirit involved in letting go the hilt.
There is the spirit of winning without a sword. There is also the spirit of holding the long sword but not winning. The various methods cannot be expressed in writing. You must train well.
Wind
(88) In my strategy, I bear my spirit and body straight, and cause the enemy to twist and bend. The necessary spirit is to win by attacking the enemy when his spirit is warped. You must study this well.
(89) In duels of strategy you must move the opponent’s attitude. Attack where his spirit is lax, throw him into confusion, irritate and terrify him. Take advantage of the enemy’s rhythm when he is unsettled and you can win.
(91) Speed is not part of the true Way of strategy. Speed implies that things seem fast or slow, according to whether or not they are in rhythm. Whatever the Way, the master of strategy does not appear fast….
Really skillful people never get out of time, and are always deliberate, and never appear busy. From this example the principle can be seen.
Void
(95) To attain the Way of strategy as a warrior you must study fully other martial arts and not deviate even a little from the Way of the warrior. With your spirit settled, accumulate practice day by day, and hour by hour. Polish the twofold spirit heart and mind, and sharpen the twofold gaze perception and sight. When your spirit is not in the least clouded, when the clouds of bewilderment clear away, there is the true void….
In the void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, principle has existence, the Way has existence, spirit is nothingness.
[My translation: The warrior clearly knows the way of strategy, works hard at those other martial arts, does not deviate even a little from the way which a warrior follows. Without a confused spirit, without neglecting a day or an hour, polishing the twofold spirit of heart and mind, sharpening the twofold eyes of perception and sight, not being even a little clouded, coming to the place where you clear away the clouds of bewilderment, you should know the true void….
Emptiness is good not bad
Knowledge exists
Principle exists
The Way exists
Heart/mind is emptiness]
