purchase a little late (I had promised to get hold of the Book of Five Rings already when I read the novel Musashi by Eiji Ishikawa , but for one reason or another I have always deferred in the name of new interests or costs more urgent), but of course only right given my passion for Japan, especially in the sphere martial. Today I
intratterò then talk a little in these two books, their writers and their possible interpretations (or lessons) that we can rely.
First, it is necessary to remark that these writings are not the only clinics of samurai wisdom, as well as manuals are not definitive or "total" of that set of moral and ethical warrior known as Bushido: Bushido existence as long as the warrior caste of the samurai and over the years and battles, all the great Japanese warlords were more or less interested in leaving their commentaries on the issue, in the form of letters, essays or simple narratives of events that occurred under their jurisdiction.
Among this multiplicity of perspectives and materials, the texts of Musashi and Yamamoto are those that, in our time, enjoy more fame and success, especially for interpretations that are given posthumously, on the ground war (reading Hagakure was particularly recommended to the military during the Second World War, and is said not missing a copy of the passenger Zero kamikaze) as well as in the managerial (Gorin no sho is still assumed as the "guidebook" of Japanese management).
Shinmen Takezo Miyamoto Musashi was born as the son of a samurai of low rank. still a teenager involved in the battle of Sekigahara, unfortunately on the losing side.
without father or master begins his training on the Via della Spada, and through fighting, the interaction with enemies, the approach to culture and private study, becomes the colossal legend of the swordsman "invincible under Heaven."
Musashi made Gorin no Sho in 1645, with a view to point out and clarify certain points of his style of battle and sword, which I bought in the translation made by "Two Swords: A School" ( Ni-Ten Ichi Ryu ).
The impression we have, especially in books dedicated to real fighting techniques (Water and Fire), also because of the continual references to Musashi to study and apply in training, is that this text is to support 'practical training: Musashi explains what is behind a movement you make, and why it is taught that way, but he dwells too much on the explanation of the movement itself or on specific concepts.
the leitmotif of this manual for invincibility is the "strategy" from Musashi must consider even more inclination towards the culture and talent with the sword:
"It is said that the warrior practice via a two-fold: the culture and martial arts. He should show inclinations in this way two-fold. However, though a man is not paid for these two routes, one can become a warrior, however, assiduously applying the strategy, regardless of social class of origin. "
Musashi is a fighter Sengoku era: civil war and the shaky social system allowed a farmer to find samurai, and maybe even daimyo.
Musashi is a practical man, stubborn, and hardships that have made him tough and "competent" are vibrant and alive in his writings. In an era where if you win and if you lived morivi lost, Musashi petty convenience of comparing the strategist to the carpenter is particularly significant:
"The general, as a carpenter foreman, knows the rules of your own home, the rules of province and the rules of the state. This is the way of the leader.
The foreman carpenter stores the structure of temples and towers, and knows the plans of palaces and buildings. To build the houses, uses unskilled workers. the foreman carpenter as the leader of a military family. The principles that govern the behavior of both are identical. [...]
If the foreman carpenter knows how to use and deploy his men, the job is done quickly and excellent.
[...] As you know the resources available and the states of mind, you stimulate all the unskilled workers, making them work at a good pace. These are the habits of a master mason. The principle that applies to the strategy is the same. "
Skip eyes even as the Japanese industry have seen in this way of thinking, individualistic but also strongly marked towards the" outside ", the foundation for managing modern and what are the conditions of the economy, even Japan.
Vision, Brainstorming, Motivation, business concepts that are, with names and different examples, we find step by step in the introductory sections of the Victory Musashi.
Victory goal then, and the Advancement (where it is vital not only to block the enemy's shot, but also anticipate it) as a strategy.
The notes of the book, the editor of the translation and the commentary often uses metaphors or references to music, emphasizing the use of Musashi to the concept of "Rhythm".
Musashi uses the same musical references to dictate the timing of movement of the sword or the steps during the change of guard.
Another point that emphasizes the practical and cultural multisfaccettatura work.
goes without saying that if the pace is a key component of the strategy (think the importance of timing, not only in combat but also in the conduct of battle, to retreat from the attack) and its maintenance and management is the key for a lightning mind and body ready, the enemy must be annihilated trying to break this pace, destroying the concentration or continuity of action.
Musashi, among others, illustrates this particular concept in the section called "Pack a pillow":
"The meaning of" squeeze a pillow is this: do not allow the enemy to raise his head. In the way of fighting is a serious strategic mistake to let themselves from the enemy, letting him lead the fight. [...] In
strategy is necessary to contain the enemy in the assault. You have to compress his outbursts, and knowing how to unravel when he tries to grab you. [...]
My technique is this: let the enemy actions, and to prohibit the unnecessary profits. This is the peculiarity of the strategy. "
Then, with eyes fixed on the movement of the enemy and the body is tense in the test the weight of his weapon, the warrior Musashi interiority has no other use than that of the utilitarian lucid analysis of the management ..?
The last book, the emblematic homage to the Void takes care of this last, crucial dilemma:
"In our time, people are spreading a belief erroneous, considering the vacuum as the indistinct. This is not the true vacuum, and all these visions are only the expression of a confused mind. "
Musashi compares to an Empty Sky " totally clear with no blurring or the slightest cloud ".
To Musashi emptiness and clarity: what you do not have at the beginning of a journey, but we proceed to acquire a purely intellectual faculties, but at the same time metaphysical physics, as to the scope of our organic capability.
The power and the charm of Gorin no Sho is unwavering in its linearity, in an initial reading can be boring or too strict, but in this is its strength: Musashi is a winner, and he wants to do with his own followers of winning, and victory for Musashi is such only if it leads to results, which coincides with an enrichment of material and spiritual.
the opposite side of the river, Yamamoto whispers from his remarks "stupid war in time of peace" in the depths Hagakure. Given the fame and the grim suicide catch-phrase "I discovered that the way of the Samurai is in death" , this collection of aphorisms and considerations of Monaco Jouchou text is usually considered a bleak and "nihilistic." In fact
Hagakure is very ironic and sarcastic, biting and receptive about the moral and social trends of his time.
Matsugame Yamamoto is born into a samurai family, vassals of the Nabeshima clan. We are in
Genroku period (1688-1704), the golden era of the Edo period: the bloody battle for survival of the Sengoku period are now a distant memory, and what is expected of the samurai and now it's just loyalty the ability to attend to practical economic or judicial. The vassals
directly under their daimyo and receive a salary in koku, the legendary bales of rice, rather than in land.
schools are born of the sword where it is practiced with bamboo swords, and the blade live, to worship as a part of himself, serves only to frighten the peasants or criminals.
In this period of peace and prosperity, the possibilities of heroism for the samurai are very few and muffled by the dignity of ritual suicide.
Tsunetomo samurai is a cultured, and for a long time working under the bibliotecaio as Nabeshima, then the death of his master, the prohibition of suicide by a decree of the shogun and the status of ronin, leading man, now struck down its ambitions , to retire to monastic life.
Tsunetomo that his aphorisms to the disciple Tashiro between 1709 and 1716, after which the texts will be compiled into 11 volumes, and published many years after his death in 1719.
In the paragraphs that make up the work is easy read the tone of a man who despises the era in which they live and what are the samurai, characters with "the look of furtive pickpocket" . There is bitterness in
Tsunetomo findings, but also the awareness that "the good old days" are gone for that really beautiful, and a struggle to get back a hundred years ago would be ludicrous as well as anachronistic.
with Musashi If we talked about strategy, talk with Tsunetomo of Regret.
The regret of having lost "a train" and have gotten stuck at the stop before, the grief of living in an age where mediocrity is easy to excel, but only in trivial ... And above all the shock of realizing that we stop the unattainable is within the reach of others, but they persist in ignoring.
Tsunetomo is not a good Buddhist, he retired to monastic life just because he was not allowed to die, so he chose for himself a different kind of death, that of Action.
Action, in perfect union and coincidence of inner and outer, which is still affordable for those who want to listen to his words and deeds of the Nabeshima, its venerable superiors. When I think
Tsunetomo in his hut of leaves in the company of Tashiro, yes I can imagine, full of regrets, bitterness and disappointment, but also has an energetic and sarcastic scowl acuity that allow it to be a good observer of his time and in a sense an unexpected clairvoyant:
"The world gets worse gradually. When the gold runs out, the silver becomes precious, silver finish, it builds on the copper.
[...] The era of great men is difficult to make a name. When the world goes to hell is relatively easy to excel. "
would be easy to feel despair and decide to turn their backs on the modern world, or simply adapt to the mediocrity that surrounds us.
Tsunetomo instead refuses to consider winning, refuses to be silent.
The invitation not to fear death is considered an antagonist to be tackled head low to be read from this point of view: the death in this sense takes the form of protest, if there is no difference, might as well choose one and end subbitanea vehemently denied "the merchants of Osaka Bushido" to think that profit rather than to the dignity and praise the cleverness instead of wisdom:
"I discovered that the Way of the Samurai is death. A dilemma of life and death needs to be resolved simply by choosing a sudden death. There is no nothing complicated in this. Have courage, and move on. Some say that dying without having accomplished their mission is to die in vain, but this is nothing more than pseudo-samurai ethics, calculator, the merchants of Osaka, arrogant. "
A death is acceptable so vain, because death is always a certainty, and if a crisis is inevitable (think of a typical situation, you know, you're stuck in the cabin of a ship is sinking ) you prefer to live to die does not occur more than a state of confusion.
But what defines a decent life, how "live" a samurai?
Hagakure is particularly generous with practical advice in this respect: is preferred body care and cleaning, a life marked by regular times, care and kindness to others, collaboration and listening to opinions different from ours to expand our horizons cognition.
These small actions have a common denominator: the determination.
A samurai must be rigorous in its decisions, which are a promise to entry or completion of commitments for the next day during the evening:
"Ultimately, the only thing that matters is the determination of the moment. A samurai takes a resolution after another, until they are joined by his entire life. Once it is realized, will not be impatient, we should not try simply beyond the present moment. He lives his life simply concentrate on its resolution. We tend to forget this, however, and believe that there is something important.
[...] If you iron a single fixed resolution, we often feel confused. This is fidelity to his faith. "
Cutaway you get is that of a strong-willed and impetuous man, from " yet reverent look stern, dignified. "
There is an illuminating piece on the subject, describing how to live life fully, taking into account the death, mix impetuosity, resolution and peace of mind:
"There's a thing called" attitude in the shower. " When suddenly a storm breaks out, one can, try not to get wet, stand out a great race to go and find shelter under some roof near: s'inzuppa the same except that one. If, however, from the beginning was mentally prepared to get wet, you do not feel in any way defeated, when it actually happens. Such an approach is beneficial in all circumstances. "
Think of how much stress and frustration such an attitude would eliminate from our body.
It is a sad" to surrender to defeat, but be aware that there is such a possibility, and that a This adverse situation is not necessarily to "our fault" but the designs of fate, on which we have control on, and rather than beating around the bush or click shortcuts uncertain, it is preferable to deal with adversity Determined, hard-nosed and head held high.
In closing, always on the marriage life / death, a further denial of death as "self-destruction," but as simply inevitable existential time to close a loop, which is our very short life, but also a sarcastic reference all'affannoso lifestyle of modern man:
"Human life lasts only an instant. You should spend it to do what we like. In this world, fleeting as a dream, live nell'affanno, doing only what sorry , is folly. Since this could be harmful if misinterpreted, I decided not to reveal this trade secret to the young. I like to sleep. Viewed as a go today things in the world, I'll stay home and sleep. "
PS: This morning I got the pack with 11 issues of The Fate of Kakugo ... FUCK YEAH!
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