Words of Wisdom

The origins of strategy are found in the sword. It is through the virtue of the sword that the world is governed and the warrior disciplines himself. One who embodies the virtue of the sword will single-handedly be able to defeat ten adversaries. Just as one man can topple ten men, one hundred can defeat one thousand and one thousand can beat ten thousand. Thus, in my school of strategy one man is the same as ten thousand, which is why I say that strategy encompasses all facets of the warrior’s Way.

When addressing the Way, the warrior’s path is different from those of Confucianists, Buddhists, tea masters, protocol experts and dancers. Nevertheless, different though these Ways may be, to know one Way in the broad sense means you will find commonality in all of them. It is important for all men to perfect their own Ways.

Take the initiative in an attack with a mind that is fast and furious on the surface but tranquil within.

Although you will not always be the first to attack, seize the initiative to control your opponent’s movement. Whatever the case, train diligently to forge a spirit that seeks victory through the application of strategic wisdom.

Through mastery of the correct Way, “stopping the start” involves anticipating your opponent’s movements in a fight, knowing what he will do before he knows himself.

Even when the enemy attacks you with some technique, allow futile ones to pass but prevent any that you feel are genuine by not allowing execution. This is foremost in combat. That said, aiming to suppress and thwart your opponent’s attempts is akin to losing the initiative. First, any techniques that you employ must be in accordance with the Way. Stifling the enemy’s technique at the start just as he contemplates striking, and taking control without giving him a chance to succeed, is the hallmark of a master of strategy, a level attained only through rigorous training.

“Becoming your enemy” is to put yourself in his place. Think of a burglar who is holed up in a house he is attempting to rob. We are prone to overestimating the enemy’s strengths. By putting yourself in his position, however, you realize that he must feel that the whole world is against him. With no way out, he is like a pheasant in a cage.

Many things can invoke fear. Fear is aroused when the unexpected happens.

In the case of individual combat, it is important to beat your opponent by doing something unexpected with your body, sword or voice to startle him.

“Knocking the bottom out” [of his fighting spirit] can be accomplished by the use of a sword, with the body or with your mind. There is not only one way to achieve this. Once the stuffing has been knocked out of the enemy, there is no need to keep fixed on him. If this is not the case, continue to maintain vigilance.

The warrior must scrupulously learn by heart the Way of combat strategy and thoroughly study other martial arts without forgoing any aspect related to the practice of the warrior’s Way. He must seek to put the Way into practice each hour of every day without tiring or losing focus. He must polish the two layers of his mind, the “heart of perception” and the “heart of intent,” and sharpen his two powers of observation, the gazes of kan (“looking in”) and ken (“looking at”). He must recognize that the true Ether is where all the clouds of confusion have completely lifted, leaving not a hint of haziness.

Make the sincere heart your Way as you practice strategy in its broadest sense, correctly and lucidly. Ponder the Ether as you study the Way. As you practice the Way, the Ether will open before you. There is Good, not Evil in the Ether. There is Wisdom. There is Reason. There is the Way. The Mind, Empty.