The Way is shown in five books concerning different aspects. These are Ground, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. The body of the Way of strategy from the viewpoint of my Ichi school is explained in the Ground book. It is difficult to realise the true Way just through sword-fencing. Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things. As if it were a straight road mapped out on the ground, the first book is called the Ground book.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The Way is divided into five aspects: Ground, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. The Ground book explains the basics, as true realization needs more than just fencing.
- In plain terms
- Strategy has many parts; start with the basics before mastering the whole.
- What can you take from it?
- Understand the smallest and biggest things to walk the straight road.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What are the foundations of your craft?
- How deep is your understanding?
Another view
Books alone cannot teach the full experience of strategy.
More from Miyamoto Musashi
Second is the Water book. With water as the basis, the spirit becomes like water. Water adopts the shape of its receptacle, it is sometimes a trickle and somet…
Permalink to quote #2 Third is the Fire book. This book is about fighting. The spirit of fire is fierce, whether the fire be small or big; and so it is with battles. The Way of batt…
Permalink to quote #3 Fourthly the Wind book. This book is not concerned with my Ichi school but with other schools of strategy. By Wind I mean old traditions, present-day tradition…
Permalink to quote #4
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