The Ground – Two Swords
The Ground – Two Swords. Musashi uses stances and positioning as metaphors, representations of your internal disposition. Physicals are generally easier to access and understand than internal, emotional ideas. A funny example from sports is the phrase, “He needs a helmet adjustment.” This means the coach is holding on to the facemask of the football player’s helmet to get them to focus and listen to what the coach is saying. It is a physical act to gain attention so the message will be heard.
The Thirst
When we are engaged in self-study, martial artists don’t have the impending, “Next play in 30 seconds.” And sometimes with the lack of a clock, a timeline, we can become lackadaisical. We are not in a hurry, seeking with thirst we should have to understand our emotional selves.
The Five Whys
Here is a suggestion to get close to the bottom of a reaction. It is called the “Five Whys.” The Five Whys was developed by Sakichi Toyoda (1867-1930). Toyoda is sometimes called the father of the Japanese industrial revolution. The idea was designed to get to the root issue regarding defects or production issues. Each “Why” digs deeper. For the martial artist, the Five Whys may look like this.
- Why are you so nervous about the in-house form’s competition? Because I will make a mistake in front of everybody.
- Why are you afraid to make a mistake in front of everyone? It will tell others I am not as good as I should be.
- Why are you not as good as you should be? I have not been as diligent in my practice as I could be.
- Why is that? Why do you not spend time out of class practicing? I like to do other things like watch sports on TV and take care of the yard.
Deep Thought on Adaptation
Additionally, sitting underneath a tree, Musashi thought about his idea of using two swords. He was about to break a hard and fast rule. Instead of the traditional one-sword two-handed grip, why not a sword in each hand?
Why would he want to use two blades? It increases the cutting surface
Why does it create my cutting surface? Instead of just the center line being guarded, two blades guard the left and the right perimeter.
Why is this perimeter guarding a good thing? It is unusual to the enemy, and it increases my defense and offense.
Why is this joint offense and defense on the perimeter a good thing? It increases my lethality by twofold.
Why is this two-fold lethality a good thing? Because the more enemies I can strike down, means fewer blades on the battlefield aimed at me.
Settled in his mind, two blades were his destiny. Musashi pulled the blade of grass from his mouth and stood up. It was a new time.
Deep Introspection
Although Musashi didn’t use the Five Whys, Musashi did engage in deep thought about his inclinations, his temper, and preferences. As a result, while others fought with two hands on their katana, Musashi picked up a wakizashi. Wielding two swords, his katana and his wakizashi. He called the style Niten Ichi-ryu, or “Two heavens as one.”
Musashi, after introspection, adopted this two-sword method, increasing his lethality. This method did not just appear. Musashi analyzed his preferences. His emotional and intellectual bias led him to conclude he could wield a second sword. The second sword increased his cutting surface, giving him an advantage. Further, with the introduction of the second sword, his mechanics changed. His footing, and how he saw the battlefield.
The Book of the Ground is about these forms of key understanding. It has been said before in tother ways in this series on the Go Rin No Sho that The Book of the Ground is listed first of the five books because it is foundational.
As Sun Tzu said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Be well and keep the path.
Key Takeaways:
- The Book of the Ground is the entryway to the other four books, and it must be understood.
- Understanding oneself is a conscious act, not one of happenstance.
- You have permission to break the rules, just as Musashi did in picking up a second sword.
You may enjoy this post as well>> https://www.martialjournal.com/five-rings-at-which-you-excel/
You may also like the free section at>> www.patreon.com › Kriswilder
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.
- The Ground – Interconnection - June 18, 2025
- The Ground – Simplicity and Directness - June 12, 2025
- The Ground – Seeing - May 30, 2025
Leave a Reply