Today we consult A Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho) written by Miyamoto Musashi, considered by many to be the greatest samurai who ever lived.
The Gaze in Strategy
The gaze should be large and broad. This is the twofold gaze “Perception and Sight”. Perception is strong and sight weak.
In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things. It is important in strategy to know the enemy’s sword and not to be distracted by insignificant movements of his sword. You must study this. The gaze is the same for single combat and for large-scale combat.
It is necessary in strategy to be able to look to both sides without moving the eyeballs. You cannot master this ability quickly. Learn what is written here: use this gaze in everyday life and do not vary it whatever happens.
Practice this so as not be overwhelmed by the enemy.
First!
At least say something besides, “First”.
I use my GAZE powers on trolls. That’s where it seems to work best. That and my dog. He hates the GAZE.
Stagger, stagger, troll, troll, whatever. Would have typed more but my stupid cat jumped up on my back (lovely sharp claws) and I figured bandaids were more imporant than brilliance. Bad Kitty!
BTW, When did I gain troll status? Geez..
OT, but here you go Frank….. The only good monkey is a…..
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/040615/481/ny19606152024&e=6
I oughta get points for this one…..
It’s good to use a wide gaze. It helps you see drivers who are running stop signs and doing other bad things.
I have had some enemies in my life. They hated me and some made a real effort to harm me. I’ve always been in greater danger from morons who are oblivious to the world.
Crap!
I just turned my house upside down because I know I have that book somewhere, (I think it’s at my mother-in-laws) At least I found My husbands Rush Limbaugh’s “The Way Things Ought to Be” and “Zen Speaks” by Tsai Chih Chung. Recommended reading…
Frank, the Bushido babbling has to go. As Joe Foo’ would be glad to tell you, we have nothing to learn from for’ners stupid enough to charge, with swords, U.S. Marines armed with M1s and BARs in the Pacific 60 years ago. Please move on before BS oriental philosophy starts to rot your brain. Look what it’s done to the hippies, ferchrissakes.
R.A. Hardin
SGT/USMC
Have to agree with you Sgt. Hardin…
I switched from Kendo to Handgunno back in college. Things have been going my way ever since. Stick with Keith and McGivern. They’re nearly as incomprehensible as Musashi and just the titles (“Sixguns” and “Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting”) are enough to scare hippies to death.
Use the sword as a metaphor jackasses!
It’s like pearls before swine…
Metaphorically or in plain language, it’s still Foreign psychobabble. We don’t have much to learn from those we nuke, besides how much plutonium it takes to cook ’em “regular” or “extra crispy”. (Best Major Payne laugh) Heeh heeh heeh.
PS:
Oink, Oink…..
R/S
Sgt. Hardin
Hey, Sarge, Moriarty.
I’m not a big Hagakure fan; the author (Tsunetomo Yamamoto) was no combat veteran, and the book was the one pretty much adopted by the Japanese government in the early 20th century. It was the one that recommended rushing to your death with swords against M1s and BARs.
Musashi, on the other hand, recommended no such thing, and was a combat veteran. The post Frank gave from him is not esoteric or philosophical at all. If you can get past the poor translation, he’s saying that in combat you have to keep perspective, stay aware, and don’t get fixated on your opponents’ weapons.
Simple and practical.
About guns, that’s nice. Until your ammo runs out and your position is being overrun. Hey, the Scots just had some very nice hand-to-hand recently.
The Hagakure has more to do with honor. I wouldn’t consult with Tsunetomo Yamamoto on how to fight a duel… ‘specially since he’s dead.
Uh, isn’t Miyamoto Musashi all dead and stuff too? Knew he was f*ckn’ brilliant, but immortal?
Sorry Frank, just practicing my right to be stupid.
Dammit, where the hell did I put that book?
I have learned the gaze. I often drive without moving my eyes. I am teaching myself to drive while asleep now.
Um, isn’t this how the Pistons won the championship? I always thought periphrial (sp?sorry) vision was a plus…One should be able to focus on what’s in front of you, as well as what’s to your side (or behind you…why do you think G-d invented review mirrors [reading history helps too]).
MHO
Lokidoki, I wasn’t calling you a troll, I was merely commenting that if you have to say, “First”, you should at least have a comment as well.
I thought Frank was changing ‘First!’ to ‘I’m a poopy-head’. What gives?
It takes time, and I’m lazy.
As long as you quote Musashi you have my attention. Forget the guys who can’t make the intellectual leap from sword to gun and keep the strategy coming.
I learned to juggle when I was 10. Side effect was that I learned the gaze.