SD Mindset from 335 years old book.

I didn't know exactly where to post this, so I selected here. I had posted something a little earlier about bushido(Samurai philosophy) and self defense. A younger poster told me in no uncertain terms that I belonged in the Dark Ages as none of that medieval stuff was of any use anymore.

I have been to Gunsite and many years of other military and police type training environments. I have learned many techniques, each one contradicting and "dissing' the other. Each one claims to have the answer to self defense. Each one, however, was tied to one type of combat, with a paucity of scenarios.

I find as I get older that the training I received in Japan in Kendo, Japanese sword fighting, has served me in better staid than anything else. Replace the sword with a gun and the principles still apply.

Below is an my summation of the Book of Five Rings, written by Miyamoto Musashi in 1645 AD. A great warrior and survivor of many sword duels, he tried to distill a philosophy of fighting that would fit any weapon in any scenario. He believed that although technique is vitally important, it is the spirit of the attack or mindset as we would call it today, that is the key ingredient to winning a fight. He stated that the method of fighting was nothing compared to the earnest goal of cutting your opponent down.

I am not stating that this is the answer, but I would welcome others thoughts on his writing and how it applies to self defense today.

The Five Rings

Earth- Know the way. Know your environment, including the code of conduct expected and the rules and laws involved. Be aware of everything around you.

Water- Be proficient and skilled with your weapons. Know more than one weapon.

Wind -Know how the enemy fights. Know your opponent, his ways, thoughts, skills and style of fighting.

Fire -Take the fight to your enemy without fear. Once you have decided to fight, take the fight to the opponent with no reservations or hesitation. Seize control of the situation.

Void -The point where you can forget the four above because they have become a part of you. You no longer need to think about them.

Miyamoto Musashi

1645 AD

Sun Tzu's "Art of War" is still one of the greatest books ever on tactics for warfare, business, and even life in general, and it was written roughly 2600 years ago. The "younger poster" lacks wisdom.

Good stuff. I agree that Kendo translates very well to the art of self preservation with a pistol (or any firearm, for that matter). All forms of martial arts originating in Asia do, I believe. Their primary focus is on aligning the body with the mind and having the mind in control of the body. Regardless of style, they are based on the same principles.

Originally Posted by GT_Rat

Sun Tzu's "Art of War" is still one of the greatest books ever on tactics for warfare, business, and even life in general, and it was written roughly 2600 years ago. The "younger poster" lacks wisdom.

"The Art of War" was required reading by the samurai and Daimyo (Barons) in the days of Bushido. They have the right idea in the Orient: the mind is the weapon, the sword (gun) is just a tool of the mind. Get your mind right and you will be hitting your target.

What are these books you speak of?

I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I aim with my eye.

I do not shoot with my gun; he who shoots with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I shoot with my mind.

I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I kill with my heart.

-Gunslinger's Creed

Good stuff. I have it in PDF if anyone wants a copy. Just PM me.

Originally Posted by GT_Rat

The "younger poster" lacks wisdom.

+1 on that...

thanks for sharing this...very thought provoking stuff.


.45

Originally Posted by wjh2657

I didn't know exactly where to post this, so I selected here. I had posted something a little earlier about bushido(Samurai philosophy) and self defense. A younger poster told me in no uncertain terms that I belonged in the Dark Ages as none of that medieval stuff was of any use anymore.

I have been to Gunsite and many years of other military and police type training environments. I have learned many techniques, each one contradicting and "dissing' the other. Each one claims to have the answer to self defense. Each one, however, was tied to one type of combat, with a paucity of scenarios.

I find as I get older that the training I received in Japan in Kendo, Japanese sword fighting, has served me in better staid than anything else. Replace the sword with a gun and the principles still apply.

Below is an my summation of the Book of Five Rings, written by Miyamoto Musashi in 1645 AD. A great warrior and survivor of many sword duels, he tried to distill a philosophy of fighting that would fit any weapon in any scenario. He believed that although technique is vitally important, it is the spirit of the attack or mindset as we would call it today, that is the key ingredient to winning a fight. He stated that the method of fighting was nothing compared to the earnest goal of cutting your opponent down.

I am not stating that this is the answer, but I would welcome others thoughts on his writing and how it applies to self defense today.

The Five Rings

Earth- Know the way. Know your environment, including the code of conduct expected and the rules and laws involved. Be aware of everything around you.

Water- Be proficient and skilled with your weapons. Know more than one weapon.

Wind -Know how the enemy fights. Know your opponent, his ways, thoughts, skills and style of fighting.

Fire -Take the fight to your enemy without fear. Once you have decided to fight, take the fight to the opponent with no reservations or hesitation. Seize control of the situation.

Void -The point where you can forget the four above because they have become a part of you. You no longer need to think about them.

Miyamoto Musashi

1645 AD

Here is a link to a PDF copy

http://www.artofwarsuntzu.com/Art%20of%20War%20PDF.pdf

Originally Posted by TurboniumOxide

I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I aim with my eye.

I do not shoot with my gun; he who shoots with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I shoot with my mind.

I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I kill with my heart.

-Gunslinger's Creed

Somewhere it needs a "Do you feel lucky punk? Well do ya?" I love the Dark Tower for many many reasons but any story written about a cowboy and your thinking Eastwood is good enough for me. Lee Van Cliff is the man in black in my mind too.