Five Rings: At Which You Excel
More from the first book, The Book of the Ground. This section is titled “At Which You Excel.” You will not find it listed in The Book of Five Rings as “At Which You Excel.” “At Which You Excel” is a broad title for our purposes as we explore what Musashi wrote.
The principles presented in The Book of the Ground are not theories. An idea to glance at and move on from. They are foundational, all other works stand on the solid structure of the ground.
The Easiest Access is Physical
Let’s address the idea of what you are good at doing. This is not physical but all-encompassing. One of the things we learn in martial arts is unity of mind, body, and spirit is key. This unity is required for high-level functioning in Martial Arts. It is easiest to address the body than the mind or the spirit. In the interest of accessibility, we will use the body to illustrate the idea of knowing what you are good at doing.
Super foot
Bill “Super Foot” Wallace is a legend in the full-contact karate world. Wallace dominated the karate world in the 1970s and 1980s. Wallace retired undefeated and with a record of 23 wins, including 13 knockouts. He became “Super Foot” because of an injury to one of his knees. The injury compromised his kicking with that leg. He trained his other leg to the highest level and used it with deadly force in the ring. He acknowledged the compromise and found another path. This is pure Musashi Book of the Ground.
Spider-Man and His Feet
Todd McFarlane, whose comic book work on Spawn and Spider-Man is an industry legend. McFarlane’s artwork is dynamic with poses and complex details. So much so that you don’t notice he avoids drawing feet. McFarlane joked about the difficulty of drawing feet, and he often obfuscates feet in his art. McFarlane may hide feet behind something or out of frame. His artwork is like a magician on stage, “Look. Look here, not there.”
The Book of the Ground suggests you, through study, know where you excel and what you do not. Wallace made his opponents respect one foot. McFarlane deceives you into forgetting about feet. You are asked to know what you are good at and then become great at it. You are also required to know what your weakness is.
From The Judo Mat, Do That At Which You Excel
Here is an example from the Judo mat. As tournament season approached, our training changed. There was no longer an introduction of a new throw from the cannon of Judo. Sensei Yamada would say, “Practice your best throw.” The other instructors would then help you sharpen that throw even more. “You should grip here.” “You need to get lower.” “When he fights your that way grip, do this to get it.” The training became myopic, focused.
During the non-tournament season, the Judo training was more expansive. During that time, you may find another throw that you could do well. Conversely, you would find what didn’t work. For me, the throw Tai-Otoshi, my the body drop was bad, my version of the throw was a mess. Over time, it was clear that I would never be able to do anything more than an adequate job at Tai-Otoshi. However, Ippon Seoi-nage worked well and served the purpose of putting the other guy on the mat.
Be Familiar
Musashi glanced from one side to the other side of the street. He was unfamiliar with this town, but it didn’t make any difference because he wouldn’t be there long.
A clipping sound turned Musashi’s attention to a boy squatting outside a store. The boy held the small cup with a wooden ball lashed to a string. “Clip,” when the ball it dropped repeatedly into the shallow cup. Musashi approached the boy.
“What game is this?”
“We call it cup and ball.”
“That is the game, catch the ball with the cup?”
“Clip,” The ball landed in the cup. The boy extended his hand with the game.
“You try it.”
Musashi took the game. The first attempt was awkward and unsuccessful. The next attempt, and many more, were failures.
The boy grinned widely.
Finally, “Clip,” Musashi’s brow un-furrowed. The boy clapped.
Musashi repeated his success a few more times.
“That’s what we do, my friends and I, who can get the most without missing.”
Looking to his left, Musashi saw some samurai approaching.
“What kind of sword is that Ronin?”
Musashi didn’t reply. He held it out and in one movement, “Clip.” In the cup.
“Let me see that.” The samurai snatched the game from Musashi’s hand.
Musashi said to himself. “No killing today.”
The samurai failed every time he tried to get the ball in the cup.
“Ahhh,” the samurai dropped to cup and ball at the boy, “Stupid game, meaningless.” He and the other samurai pivoted and went back to the way he came.
Musashi bent down, picking up the game. He looked at the boy, “I may not have mastered this, but I understand now.” With no hesitation, Musashi tossed and caught the ball five times in a row. “Well, boy, that is five, can you beat five?
Take a Look
According to Musashi, you should analyze what works for you and emphasize it. As for the techniques at which you are only adequate, don’t discount them, be familiar.
Later in The Book of Five Rings, Musashi will point to that fact. He states, and I paraphrase, “You need not master every weapon, but you do need to be familiar with them.”
Be well and keep the path.
- The easiest point of entry to discipline is the physical.
- It’s ok to avoid your weakness. Ignoring your weakness is a bad idea.
- Mastery of all is unnecessary; familiarity is necessary.
You may like this prevoius post: https://www.martialjournal.com/the-book-of-the-ground-discipline-and-focus/
He has authored several books on martial arts and self-defense, such as "The Way of Kata" and "The Little Black Book of Violence". Kris also runs the Wilder Karate Academy, where he teaches classes and conducts seminars.
- Five Rings: At Which You Excel - May 18, 2025
- The Book of The Ground – Discipline and Focus - May 3, 2025
- Opening – The Book of The Ground - March 10, 2025
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