The Book of Five Rings on Fridays

The Book of Five Rings by Miyomoto Musashi is one of the greatest texts on strategy ever to be written. Originally intended for the purpose of military strategy and combat it has been used by business entrepreneurs over the years, as sections of the book which discuss taking advantage of an opponent and gaining the upper hand in combat can be easily related to there line of work.

Musashi was an undefeated swordsman from Japan who started his duelling career from an early age ending it just before his 30’s.

The book of five rings holds five different short books which deal with elements of battle including posture, strategy, rhythm, timing etc. The books are,

Ground (Earth) Book
Water Book
Fire Book
Wind Book
Emptiness Book

For the next few weeks, each Friday, I shall be taking parts of Musashi’s writings and discussing them and there applications in unarmed combat.

I hope you check out these next few articles as the principles Musashi discusses are more than capable of being adapted for modern day martial artists of all styles.

Marks
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7