Miyamoto Musashi was born in 1584, while Japan was still struggling to recover from more than four centuries of internal upheaval. The traditional rule of emperors had been overthrown in the 12th century, and although the new emperors remained symbols of Japan itself, their power was almost none.
Since that time, Japan had been the scene of an uninterrupted civil war between provincial lords, warrior monks and robbers, some fighting each other in search of more land and power.
However, in 1573 a man named Oda Nobunaga took the lead and took control of the country. He became the Shogun, or military dictator, and for nine years managed to bring almost all of Japan under his rule.
When Nobunaga was assassinated in 1582, a commoner ascended to government. Toyotomi Hideyoshi continued the work of unifying the country. He revived the old separation between warriors - or samurai - and commoners, imposing barriers to the use of swords. Only samurai were allowed to use two swords, that is, the short sword, which everyone could use, and the long sword, which distinguished the samurai from the rest of the population.
The true isolation and unification of Japan began with the great Tokugawa Ieyasu, former companion of both Hideyoshi and Nobunaga. 1603, Tokugawa established his government in Edo, in what is now Tokyo, where he owned an immense castle. His period of government was stable and peaceful, beginning an era in Japanese history that lasted until the imperial restoration of 1868.
The Tokugawa bureaucracy branched out into all sectors. Education, law, government and social classes were controlled by it, and its influence went as far as regulating the customs and behavior of each class, forming a rigid structure.
Thus, people were essentially divided into four social classes: samurai, farmers, artisans and traders.
The samurai were the highest class - if not in wealth, at least in prestige, they included the lords, the most senior members of the government, the warriors, some army officers and the infantry soldiers.
Musashi belonged to the samurai class, these officers formed a permanent army corps. They rode horses, wore armor, bows and swords.
In 1782, Emperor Kammu began the construction of Kyoto, and there erected a training “academy” called Butokuden, which still exists today (Butokuden means “House of the Virtues of War”. When the great provincial armies were gradually dismantled by Hideyoshi and Ieyasu , many samurai began to wander around the country, unemployed due to the era of peace that was beginning.
The hordes of samurai with nothing to do found themselves suddenly in a society governed entirely by the ancient rules of chivalry and nobility that were so dear to them, but where, at the same time, there was no longer any place for warriors.
The samurai thus became an inverted class, keeping alive the ancient ideals of conduct through devotion to the military arts, with a fervor that only the Japanese are capable of.
It was at this time that Kendo flourished. Kendo, or the Way of the Sword, had always been synonymous with nobility in Japan, inspired by the teachings of Zen and Shinto sentiment. The Kendo schools, born at the beginning of the Muromachi period - approximately from 1390 to 1600 -, passed unscathed by the shocks of the formation of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The samurai studied all types of weapons: halberds, staffs, swords, chains, sickles and much more. To train in Kendo, the person has to subdue their ego, their individuality, endure the pain of strenuous exercises and cultivate peace of mind. spirit in the face of danger.
But the way of the sword does not just mean training in swordsmanship: it would not exist without a code of honor characteristic of the samurai elite. War was the motivation for the samurai's daily life, and they knew how to face death as if it were part of their domestic routine.
The meaning of life and death by the sword was reflected in the customary conduct of Japanese feudal society, and anyone who achieved resolute acceptance of death at any point in his life would be considered a master of the sword.
When Musashi was seven years old, his father, Munisai, died or abandoned the boy, leaving him in the custody of his maternal uncle, a priest.
At the age of thirteen, Musashi shot down a man in hand-to-hand combat. And finally, at the age of fifty, he retired to a solitary life, having already reached the end of his search for reason. This part of Musashi's existence was lived far from society, and in it the warrior dedicated himself with fierce obstinacy to the search for enlightenment through the path of the sword. He lived solely with the perfection of his art.
Musashi, wandered the earth with the clothes on his back soaked by the winter rains, without taking care of his hair, without looking for a wife, without dedicating himself to any profession other than his study.
In 1643, he moved away to lead a retired life in the cave called Reigendo. There he wrote Go Rin No Sho, addressed to his pupil Teruo Nobuyuki, a few weeks before his death on May 19, 1645.
The book is not a strategy manual but, in Musashi's own words, “a guide for those who want to learn the strategy”. Musashi wrote: “When one attains the Way of Strategy, there will be nothing left that one cannot understand,” and “one will see the Way in everything.”
And indeed, he became a master of arts and crafts. produced masterpieces of painting an excellent calligrapher small wooden sculpture of the Buddhist deity sculpture of Kwannon; He also worked with metal and founded a school of sword guard makers who signed themselves “Niten” and wrote poems and songs.
Musashi is so important to the Japanese that even today businessmen use “Go Rin No Sho” as guidance for commercial practice.
In the book, Musashi begins by explaining that to write it, he did not use Buddha's law, nor the teachings of Confucius, nor old war chronicles or books on martial arts. Strategy would be the warrior's craft. Commanders have to order their work and soldiers have to know how to follow their Path. According to Musashi there are several Paths. Each man does what he is inclined to do. Even if a man does not possess any natural ability, he can be a warrior as long as he ardently adheres to both divisions of the Path (the Path of literature and the Path of the sword).
The Path of literature refers to the cultivation of the mind and intellect through the pursuit of knowledge, reading, study and appreciation of arts and letters. Developing this facet can make a man more well-rounded, allowing him to better understand the principles and strategies involved on the battlefield and in everyday life.
On the other hand, the Way of the sword is directly related to training, with the improvement of physical and technical skills. Here, man will learn the art of fighting, how to handle weapons and the discipline necessary to face challenges, in other words, modern man will learn the art of facing opponents in his professional sphere or in self-defense.
Ardently following both divisions of the Path is essential for a man to become complete and balanced, prepared to face the adversities of life and war. For Musashi, the book of five rings are lessons to prepare man for the path of the sword, which requires obstinate dedication.
The Way of the warrior is the resolute acceptance of death. If we look at the world, we will see arts for sale. Man uses equipment to sell his own self. As if, comparing side by side - the nut and the flower, the nut was less important than the flower.
In Musashi's time, there were four Paths along which men could follow life: warriors, farmers, artisans and traders. The path of the Warrior would be to master the virtue of his weapons. If a warrior does not appreciate strategy, he will be unable to appreciate the advantages of his weapons. Man has to polish the path he has chosen, that is, if you are a police officer for example, you must train beyond your mind, you must exhaustively train combat techniques with firearms, experiencing all possible scenarios, you must train techniques and hand-to-hand combat, with knives, approaches, how to get out of the vehicle, know your equipment perfectly, that is to follow the path, dedicate yourself fully to being the best in your field of skill, in the same way the doctor, the bricklayer, the engineer and so on.
Musashi said: There is a time and place for the use of weapons. You shouldn't have a favorite weapon. Exaggerated use of any weapon is as harmful as inadequate knowledge of it. This is the first important lesson, staying in a comfort zone, training just one skill, can be as harmful as not knowing it.
Nowadays, there are specific moments and situations that require the use of appropriate skills and knowledge. It is essential that people are versatile and adapt to different circumstances, rather than clinging to a single way of acting. It is important to be flexible and versatile. We shouldn't get attached to just one way of doing things. We must be willing to learn new skills and use different tools to solve problems, as there will be times in our lives when we need to adapt our strategy and sometimes, that unique skill can become useless in the given scenario.
The best example of this is MMA, if you are a world boxing champion and fight on the main card of the UFC for example, the boxer's chance of being defeated is much greater compared to your opponent adapted to various fighting styles, after all a boxer I would hardly know how to defend against a jiu-jitsu technique or even muay thai.
While you must vary your skill range, another rule is that you must not copy others, but rather use the weapons that you can handle properly. Likewise, Commanders and soldiers cannot feel preferences or dislikes for weapons, and must learn in depth every type of arsenal available, since the notion of time in strategy cannot be mastered without the most intense practice.
According to Musashi: There is synchrony in the entire life of the warrior, in his rise and decline, in his harmony and his discord. All things exist within a movement of rise and decline. Battles are won with the synchronicity of Nothingness, born from the synchronicity of wit, by learning the synchronicity of the enemies and then using a synchronicity that the enemy does not expect."
This passage teaches that the warrior's life is a constant flow of change. The warrior must be prepared to face any situation, both in rise and decline, in harmony and discord. All things are constantly moving and changing, and the warrior must be able to adapt to these changes.
Just as in nature, where all things have a cycle of birth, growth, decline and renewal, the warrior's life also follows this pattern. Understanding this dynamic is essential for adjusting strategies, overcoming obstacles and finding opportunities for growth.
After understanding the impermanence of things, it is up to man to act calmly and serenely, as if there was nothing happening, while being aware of all the possibilities and movements in the environment. This coolness in the face of obstacles is a way of connecting with intuition and inner wisdom to make the right decisions at critical moments.
We need to keep in mind that the events in our lives are interdependent and connected, therefore, knowing and understanding the patterns and movements of events or problems is essential to anticipate your actions and reactions. This allows you to stay one step ahead and be prepared to respond effectively. And when you do, you must be able to surprise the enemy with unforeseen movements and unexpected strategies. This can create advantages and unbalance the situation in your favor, as predictability is synonymous with strategy failure.
Musashi continues: "Do not think dishonestly. The Way is in training. Make contact with all the Arts. Know the Way of all professions. Learn to distinguish gain from loss in material matters. Develop intuitive judgment and understanding of everything. Notice the things that cannot be seen. Pay attention to even the unimportant. Don't do anything that is useless. If you can't see things on a larger scale, it will be difficult to master the strategy."
From this quote we can draw nine important lessons, first:
Musashi highlights the importance of not thinking dishonestly. Honesty with oneself is fundamental to genuine growth and a deep understanding of the Path. This involves self-awareness, honest self-evaluation, and authenticity in all actions and decisions.
The other pillar for the Path is training: Excellence is not achieved instantly, but through constant training and improvement. The Path is a continuous journey of learning, practice and evolution. Dedication to training is essential for mastering skills and knowledge.
In addition to training, you must have contact with all Arts or areas of knowledge, as having this contact with different arts, whether literary, artistic, scientific or philosophical, broadens your worldview and enriches your understanding of life and the different situations.
Otherwise, having the ability to discern between what brings benefits and what results in losses is essential for making informed and strategic decisions. Developing this ability allows man to make conscious and effective choices in his actions and business. In this aspect, developing intuitive judgment is crucial, as in addition to rational analysis, it is important to have intuitive judgment. Intuition is a valuable form of knowledge that can provide insights beyond the reach of reason. Learning to trust your intuition can be a powerful tool in decision-making.
Multidisciplinary knowledge, honesty in your self-assessment, constant training, trust in your intuition, have paved the way for you to perceive things that cannot be seen. The warrior must be attentive to the nuances and subtle aspects of situations. This includes understanding elements that are not obvious or visible at first glance. Keen perception allows him to understand the full context and make more informed choices. No detail should be underestimated as they can have a significant impact on the outcome.
On the other hand, maintaining a broad and global vision is essential to mastering the strategy. The warrior must understand the larger context of situations and consider the interconnections between events and people. This broader perspective allows for the formulation of more effective strategies.
For example, imagine a penalty kick in an important championship final: The hitter must thoroughly train such kicks so that he has muscle memory of which position to kick the ball from, more than that, he must be able to use different techniques and corners. To deceive the goalkeeper, the more information he has about the goalkeeper's reactions, and the greater his own ability to hide his spirit, his emotions, the better his strategy will be. At this point, paying attention to details is important, such as the position in which the ball was placed on the grass, side of the spike, conditions of the lawn, the goalkeeper's gaze, body movement, foot positioning. At the same time, you must have a broad view of the surrounding scenery, the direction and strength of the wind, your fatigue and hydration at the time of charging, for example.
Another crucial point, in the dynamic society we have today, is that we should not only occupy ourselves with things that are pleasurable, as activities that are meaningless to our goal take us off the path. Therefore, all actions must have a clear purpose and contribute to your goals. Avoiding meaningless activities or wasting energy is essential to focus on what really matters.
According to Musashi. in the Book of Water: “strategy is different from other things in that, if you confuse the Path, even a little, the result will be complete disorientation and the acquisition of bad habits.
Realize that distractions are a problem, our need for dopamine, this feeling of urgency that the day is too short and that I can't enjoy everything I need in 24 hours, causes complete disorientation in us and is the gateway to addictions and bad habits, they harm our long and medium term plans, they take us off the path. That's why it's important to watch yourself so as not to enter this vicious cycle, distancing yourself every time you notice a pattern of procrastination and laziness.
Another teaching is that we must face the situation relaxed, but without haste, with a calm spirit but not preconceived (that we have already won or lost); relaxing the mind does not imply relaxing the body; Nor can the mind relax so much that it becomes numb.
Musashi states that when faced with problem situations or enemies, we must not become angry or upset with what is presented to us, on the contrary, we must maintain calm and serenity in our spirit, without falling apart, because this will make your decision easier. in the face of difficulty.
Do not allow your spirit to be influenced by your body, nor your body to be influenced by your spirit. Don't let your spirit get too high; a high spirit is a weak spirit; a broken spirit is a weak spirit. Don't allow your opponent to perceive your spirit. Whatever your size, don't allow yourself to be fooled by your own body's reactions. It is essential that you maintain your combat posture in everyday life and that you make your daily posture your combat posture. This needs to be well studied.
In combat, whether hand-to-hand or purely intellectual, keep the nose line straight, with a slight sensation of flared nostrils. The look must be open and broad. This is the double gaze of 'Perception and Vision'. according to Musashi.
Your posture in the face of pressure is important, maintaining adequate and attentive body language, and an open and broad look at what is happening around you, helps you to make decisions and conduct the battle in a way that is more favorable to you.
Since perception is strong and sight is weak. It is important in strategy to know the enemy's sword and not let yourself be distracted by its insignificant movements. In other words, our focus must be directed, we cannot have a dispersed vision worried about things outside the conflict, our entire attitude must be aimed at devising the correct strategy.
Musashi also advises that whenever possible, make unexpected movements in combat, disconcentrate the opponent, always hiding your spirit in combat, if you are worried, appear full, if you are full, appear worried, giving the incorrect impression and confusing the opponent's spirit is the strategy.
Another teaching from Musashi is that today you will overcome who you were yesterday; tomorrow you will overcome those who are not at your level; later you will defeat more skilled men, but to do so you will have to train obstinately, not allowing your heart to stray from the Path.
This passage teaches that victory is not something that can be achieved all at once. It takes constant, persistent effort to improve your skills. You must train every day, no matter how hard it is. Because it is important not to deviate from the Path. The Way is the path of truth and justice. If you stray from the Path, you will never truly be victorious.
Musashi believed that victory is possible for everyone, but it takes effort and perseverance. If you are willing to work hard and never give up, you can achieve anything.
But how can I apply these lessons from Musashi in my life? I advise doing the following: Set goals for yourself and work towards achieving them. Don't be afraid to face challenges. Learn from your mistakes. Once you have set your goal, be constant towards it, as constancy is more important than the speed of results. And finally, study and work on your perception of reality, stay on the path of having few needs and respect for the people around you.
Still, according to Musashi, you should examine the environment. Considering that there are three Methods of Surprising the Enemy: The first method of surprise is the attack, called Ken No Sen (corner). Another method is to intercept the enemy's attack, called Tai No Sen (waiting to take the initiative). The third method is used when you and your opponent attack together. It is called Tai Tai No Sen (accompany).
No Tai Tai No Sen (accompany the enemy and anticipate him). You have to make the most of the situation, penetrating the enemy's spirit in order to uncover his strategy and defeat him. When the enemy attacks, remain unfazed but feign weakness. When the enemy attacks, attack even harder, taking advantage of the bad timing he shows in his desire to win.
The Tai Tai No Sen strategy can be applied in everyday situations such as negotiations, debates and even conflict situations. The idea is to make the most of the situation, penetrating the other person's spirit in order to uncover their strategy and defeat them.
Note that Musashi advises that in conflict situations where there is a balance of forces, hiding your emotional state is essential to putting together your strategy. In a fight or negotiation, showing indifference in the face of a strong blow from the opponent, generates a feeling of impotence in the fight, this discouragement hinders the opponent's spirit, making it easy to obtain the result he expects.
When the enemy makes a quick attack, you will have to attack with force and calmly, aiming for the weak point that appears when he approaches, and thus defeat him irrevocably. To surprise the enemy, you have to assess the situation. It's not always worth being the first to attack; but if the enemy attacks first, you can reverse the situation.
In strategy, whoever surprises the enemy wins, and therefore you need to practice all of this very well. In strategy combat, it is a mistake to be controlled by the enemy. You always have to control it, take it where you want and not allow it to do what you want; it is necessary to disturb the enemy as he prepares to strike.
The most important thing in strategy is to block the enemy's useful actions and allow him to carry out useless actions at will. It is necessary to act in accordance with the Way, preventing the development of the enemy's techniques, disrupting his plans, and then controlling him directly.
Musashi teaches us that strategy is not just a matter of brute force, but also of intelligence, adaptability and control. Blocking useful actions and allowing useless ones, interfering in the enemy's plans and controlling him directly are fundamental aspects of achieving success in any endeavor, whether in the art of war or in everyday life. The strategy is a constant search for harmony with the Path, where victory is obtained through a shrewd, intuitive and ethical approach.
Another point is that Musashi claims to believe that the 'crossing the stream' strategy happens frequently in man's life. It can mean the raising of sails; it means knowing the route, the resistance of the boat and the conditions of the day. When everything is in order, and when there is perhaps a favorable wind, or a tailwind, set sail. If the wind changes a few kilometers from your destination, be prepared to paddle as long as it takes without sails. If you achieve this spirit, it will have application in your everyday life.
The 'Cross the stream' strategy consists of a favorable point, when it is possible to attack the enemy's vulnerable point and place yourself in an advantageous position.
Another strategy is 'Know the Moment'. Which means knowing the enemy's willingness to face battle, you can always win, fighting from an advantageous position. It is important to acquire the spirit of not allowing the enemy a second opportunity to attack. In large-scale strategy, when the enemy starts to collapse you have to chase him without even giving him a chance to breathe. By not taking advantage of the enemy's collapse, you give him a chance to recover.
The strategy, 'Become the Enemy' means seeing yourself through the eyes of the enemy. People often think of the thief trapped inside their home as a strengthened enemy. However, if we 'become the enemy', we will see that the whole world is against us and that there is no way out. The one who is locked up and surrounded is the pheasant. The one who enters is the eagle. Don't stop thinking about this. In large-scale strategy, people are always imagining that the enemy is strong, and therefore are overly cautious. But if you have good soldiers, know the principles of strategy and know how to defeat your enemies, there is no reason to fear.
Segundo Musashi,"Becoming the Enemy" is a strategic concept that reminds us of the importance of understanding the opponent's point of view to make more informed and successful decisions. This includes recognizing our own vulnerabilities and using this knowledge to prepare ourselves appropriately and face challenges more effectively. Confidence in the ability to apply well-planned strategies, combined with in-depth knowledge of the situation, allows you to face the enemy with courage and determination.
The 'Release Four Hands' technique is used when you and the enemy fight with the same spirit and the fight cannot be decided. In this case, Musashi advises you to abandon this spirit and win by resorting to an alternative. In single combat, if the enemy takes a rear or side longsword position so that you cannot perceive his intention, fake an attack and he will have to show you the sword thinking he can perceive your spirit.
However, when the enemy launches into the attack, showing that he is prepared to retaliate with violence, you will make him change his mind, altering his spirit, defeat him by surprising him with the spirit of emptiness. When the enemy is agitated and shows an inclination to rush, don't worry. Make your complete calm evident; the enemy will be surprised by it and relax. When you realize that his fierce spirit has also passed, annihilate him by attacking violently with the spirit of Nothingness.
Attack without warning at a point where the enemy does not expect it, and, while his spirit is still off guard, follow up the attack by taking control and defeating him.
Another teaching is that fear manifests itself frequently, and is a result of the unexpected. By observing the spirit of the enemy, we can make him think, 'Here? There? Like this? Roast? Quickly? Slowly?' Victory becomes liquid and certain when the enemy sees himself as prey to a rhythm that confuses his spirit. Attack the enemy at his strongest points and, when you see that he retreats defeated, separate your forces and attack another strong point on the outskirts of the enemy forces. The spirit of this type of attack is like a winding mountain path.
When we realize that the enemy has few men, or that he has many men but with a weak and disorganized spirit, we set out to crush him decisively. If the enemy is less skilled than us, if his rhythm is disordered, or if he has resorted to evasion or retreat, we must crush him immediately.
Musashi advises that it is a mistake to repeat the same thing several times when facing the enemy. There may be no alternative to repeating the same technique once or twice, but using it a third time would be a big mistake.
The warrior must also think within this spirit in his daily life. Attack when his spirit is unguarded, confuse him, irritate him and frighten him. Take advantage of the enemy's indecisive rhythm when he is disturbed, and your victory will be assured. The spirit of being the first to attack is completely different from the spirit of waiting for the opponent to attack. Enduring an attack well, with a strong attitude and defending yourself well against the enemy's attack is like building a wall of spears and halberds.
Musashi teaches us more than just martial techniques; he shares a philosophy of life deeply connected to the path of the warrior. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his quest to understand himself and the world around him inspire us to reflect on our own personal journeys.
Throughout the Five Rings - the five essential elements of the warrior's strategy - we find timeless lessons that transcend eras and cultural boundaries. Musashi emphasizes the importance of cultivating the mind, body and spirit in harmony to achieve complete improvement as an individual.
Through his humble approach, he reminds us that the pursuit of perfection is a never-ending but worthwhile journey. Every battle fought, whether on the field of war or in our daily lives, offers opportunities for growth and learning. We must embrace both victories and defeats, as they are what shape our character and allow us to evolve to a higher state of wisdom.
Just as Musashi became an unparalleled master on the battlefield, we can also become masters of our own destinies as long as we embrace discipline, dedication, and self-awareness. Through study and continuous practice, we can develop our skills in any field we choose.
Ultimately, the central message of "The Five Rings" invites us to embrace life's journey as a wise and resilient warrior. We need to find our own path, face our fears and overcome our limitations to achieve personal excellence. Musashi shows us that true victory is not just about external conquest, but about internal conquest - victory over ourselves.
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