Alan Armstrong

Un-gentleman and un-ladylike behavior, this is 16th Century pompous verbiage, perhaps this was appropriate for those of royal blood and with titles, as dueling pistols and swords where used to settle their differences. Those that do harm to others without cause, don't deserve anything but un-gentleman like behavior against them.

A few things worth considring , different body types are better suited to one style or another. This should be something to taken into consideration when choosing a style. A person's flexibility or lack of can also be a factor. A slow moving person who practices in a fast paced style, isn't going to do as well. Yet that same person practicing a style where strength and balance is predominant, they might shine. As all styles have apparent differences that can work well for some and not others, depending on their body type. Kung Fu wide circular blocking works, but perhaps far to slow against some experienced opponents. What works for one person doesn't guarantee that it works for everyone. Some people cannot fight, no matter the style they choose to practice, karate, Kung Fu and or TKD. While others with no formal martial art training can be seriously dangerous contenders.

Metal strategy: Metal strategy has been around for thousands of years with the making of weapons and armor. In the dojo is one thing, on the street is another, in the everyday world, metal strategy needs a different approach. Confidence can transmit a type of power regarding self protection, but learning false information can not help with realistic situations Metal strategies deal with real life skills or real world techniques of self defense, and not electroplated or false economy look alikes. Your skills should have a power to them (forged like metal in practice) that can cause real damage if need be, with nothing imaginary about your abilities. Metal is hard so must you be if the need arises. If you are up against a dangerous opponent then you should consider turning your fists into hammers and arms into iron bars. Your feet are a part of your getaway plan, by all means use them if they are going to save you from harm in any way possible. Martial arts like everything else has fallen into or under the control of commercialization; this doesn't mean that you should be entangled in it also. As martial arts has alot of fun aspects, sugar coated in a shining foil wrapper, looking like something of value, whereas, real metal strategies are on the other side of the coin, are when nothing but the brutal truth is acceptable. It is easy to pass on not learning or developing metal strategies, and say "I will cross that bridge when I come to it" Samurai used real samurai swords with powerful tried and tested techniques and spiritual beliefs that made them formidable warriors. Having some samurai spirit, is always good to have with you, even if you don't ever need to use it. Have you developed your Samurai warrior spirit?

Being more aware of the similarities of what we do as martial artists, with other elements such as wood, strengthens our understanding further above those that don't.Martial artists have often turned to nature and in this case the forest, to train in, if not for anthing else but just for the purpose of getting an extra boost of oxygen. Breaking boards or conditioning hands and feet, wood is one of the most preferred materials. A piece of wood in the hands of an expert martial artists can become a very effective weapon, whereas to everyone else its just a piece of wood.

Earth strategy: Location location location, in open battles and when building a fortress, location and position are determining factors for maintaining dominance over the land. In single combat, positioning oneself in a better place than the opponent is always a good strategy. Taking a place or another person's land in times of old, was one thing and keeping it was another story. Earth strategy deals with positioning, taking positions and being in a position of advantage. Earth strategy also deals with distance, closing, holding and controlling with action. Earth strategy implies distance, far and short, and how to get there effectively and in relative safety. Earth strategy contains bridging tactics, in times of war controlling and destroying bridges was a very important issue also crossing wide rivers, lakes and oceans included. From a single combat standpoint, bridging tactics still apply. The forearms in martial arts are considered to be bridges, as bridges are devices to cross from one place to another with, the problem is however that people block or protect with their bridges; as all this does is, creates a great way for the opponent to cross and attack with. The problem arises when using the forearms as bridges, instead of a shield, that can also be used as a weapon. In combat getting past the opponent's defenses is considered to be good but not enough realistically as the opponent can still strike back at will. Ideally getting past the opponent's defenses and controlling the fight is the most important thing for your safety and to provide you with an overwhelming majority victory. Earth strategy deals with all terrains in combat with troops or one on one, know your surroundings and make good use of it, to your advantage. Are you making full use of you Earth strategies?

Wood strategy: Wood doesn't automatically jump out as a strategy yet before castles, wooden fortresses was very much a part of self defense. Meanwhile the woodsman having the experience of living and working among the trees, has developed a unique relationship with the way of the forest. Martial artists can draw many ideas and concept from the understanding of the woodsman and trees. The obvious similarities of people and trees are that they both have limbs, while another is how trees are rooted which equates to the impotance of stability. There is a versatility aspect to wood being a useful material, an attribute value which we as martial artists can also find useful. Wood martial art techniques are linear, such as straight punches and kicks, also using one's entire body as a battering ram. From Karate chops to axe kicks the connections to wood are always present. Wood martial art techniques also involve all trapping and holding applications. Wood martial art techniques such as the classic clothes line (as when a horseman has been knocked off his hose) and tripping the opponent (as when roots from a tree are protruding from the ground) is also available in this strategy. Wood changes its strategy depending on the season, knowing when to grow and expand and when to rest and stay calm. The nature of trees is to reach upwards to reach downwards and to expand outwards, a tree doesn't seem to be very active, yet it is very busy within. Trees have a great memory of the seasons, recording each year with its rings, this aspect corresponding to experience counts. We are all connected to the trees, as it is the trees that produces oxygen, a few minutes without it and we are all dead; therefore wood is a very important element for survival, knowingly or not. Is wood a part of your martial art style and or strategy or is it just used as a material for practicing on as a dojo floor?

Mountain strategy: Is there really a mountain strategy, going onwards and upwards perhaps? I believe the mountain strategy is better described as similar to mountaineering. As they the mountaineers hold the spirit of the mountain in them, by relying and depending on each other for their mutual survival. This mountaineering spirit could be used especially well in the dojo. As each person has the opportunity to help each other and also reach higher ground simultaneously on a personal level with a cooperative spirit. Mountain people are not known to be pushovers, they are however known to be able to survive and thrive in places that have been difficult for most people to endure. Their skills the mountaineers, are survival orientated not for decoration or for show. Something modern day martial artists might want to re-evaluate this aspect more carefully. Do you have a mountaineering spirit that can help to make you reach higher ground and at the same time also helps others?

Fire strategy: In movies and the odd man out martial artist, the fire strategy has often been placed in the kitchen with the cook. With the cook saying "I'm just the cook" yet is actually a martial art expert. As the kitchen is a great place to understand the nature of fire and practice fire strategy knowingly or not. There is alot of strategy when cooking as with the incorrect timing, everything can go disastrously wrong with novices, with overcooking some ingredients and under cooking others; in some circumstances catching the place on fire. As many chiefs seem to prefer gas over electric due to better control over the stove temperature. Could be easily related to sparring when turning up the heat on the opponent or de-escalating a possible volatile situation. Also controlling speed, as to fast can be the same as to slow, using the correct time for cooking and sparring, they both need the same consideration. The nature of fire is to change whatever it touches, be it for good or for bad. As when two UFC fighters, full of fire meet, they end up rearranging each others facial features, with broken noses, black eyes and cauliflower ears, just for starters. Fire is known to be the spirit of fighting, perhaps due to the pain that can be inflicted by the use of touching and the dangers associated with it. "When playing with fire one is bound to get burned" Holding fireworks when they go off is one way. Fire is also associated with surprise, as when touching fire it usually sparks a surprise. Therefore the element of surprise is better suited to an array of surprise tactics. Fire is also associated with opportunity and disaster, better to be on the opportunity side than not. When sparring, make the most of your fire opportunities, if none create them; be a master of disaster, be creative, cook up a killer recipe for your opponent; of course not literally; please! Are you all fired up to add some fuel to this top? Is the element of fire associated to your martial arts, or perhaps you just never thought about it that way?

I would have to respectfully disagree. Water does not seek the longest route. It seeks the easiest its nature is capable of. Water cannot climb until sufficient volume is present. It seeks the path of least resistance, changing direction as the environment dictates. Water cannot break through stone until sufficient time and movement occur. Even then a flowing river may bring weapons (flotsam and temperature) to help. Once sufficient volume, time, and movement occur the easiest route changes so water seeking an easier route changes direction. While I may differ in my view of water I do agree that practice/study is necessary. Practice/study is the easiest way to increase performance. Once sufficient practice/study have built up, the easiest route may alter (different training exercises), but the destination stays the same. Water like everything else is confined to the laws of nature, it doesn't work like a pipeline from the mountains to the ocean.Water follows the path of no resistance. Water can break through different types of stone, this is how caverns have been formed. Water cannot flow anywhere if bottled up tight. Water is also effected by the gravitational force of the moon. There are alway contributing factors upon water, yet the nature of water stays the same. When water meets water there are under currents that allow them to flow together; we could view this as "water sparring" or a friendly "water fight".

I think it would be due to what we see today. Bruce Lee probably saw it in his day as well. Too many schools teach it as a separate thing from kumite. They get locked in on the simplest bunkai if any at all and not use it as a tool to derive more complex lessons. Could in be that katas, can take away the spontaneity and the being in the now element with a live opponent, as all opponents will be different in a multitude of different way, including circumstances?

A wise man once said "Dry ideas are no ideas at all". Water strategy: Constantly reacting-moving and changing-appropriately around all obstacle or defences with full body-cooperation, all the while draining your opponent's energy, leading them into deeper water. Attacking the opposition with a torrent of kicks while raining down punches. Water needs to keep moving to stay fresh otherwise it will stagnate; a little gentle strategic wisdom from the Tai Chi community. Water can be very deep yet very calm on the surface. As we are made up of mostly water and is necessary for our survival, it is an important factor to be able to make sure we maintain it and understand it to the fullest. Balance in martial arts is a very important element, for obvious reasons that falling down would probably accrue every time we use a technique or hit by one. A water level used by builders are constantly used to keep their work on the straight and level. As water seems to constantly want to do two things, seeks to keep moving and stay balanced. As martial artists, moving and staying balanced are also important factors to become better acquainted to, with constant practice. The nature of water is to take the longest route possible from the mountains to the ocean, which is why natural rivers are never straight as they are winding around the environment, filling up in cavities along the way This nature of water could imply to take the longest route, is to not expect to take short cuts but to practice; as natural rivers are never straight, as to expect things to deviate but carry on; and filling up in cavities could be understood as build up your knowledge as deep as possible. The strategy of wearing down the opponent like water smashing against rocks, is a metaphor frequently used. Are you watering your martial art strategies to the fullest, how are you doing that? (As martial arts today for some seems to be watered down) Maybe you have some water insights that are helping you on your martial art journey, regarding swimming, fishing, or sailing perhaps? As Bruce Lee considered katas to be similar to swimming on dry land, why would he say that? Could it be that for you, water and martial arts doesn't mix, why is that?

Medals are given out for being brave and courageous. Are there strategies to help become more valiant or is it just something that some are born with and others are not? Martial arts is a known way to build more confidence in people but does this apply to also being courageous? Is courage something we build up in oneself and then use it when need be? It takes courage to admit to oneself of being wrong and it is a brave person that can admit to it openly. (Brave and courageous people such as firefighters, police, medical, and milatary personnel, and all those that fight for the well being and safety of others should be constantly thanked, congratulated and appreciated on their efforts) Can we go beyond confidence building as martial artists, aiming higher with strategies and tactics that can make a difference?

Opposites can also be complimentary, just as in sparring with someone different than oneself, there is alot that can be learned. There are however those that take on the role of the opposition, as if your sole purpose is used for target practice or the butt of a joke, this can be acted out on the floor or verbally, by friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances. Good natured, sincere honest people, can seem surrounded and isolated due to these opposites, with overbearing, bullying, personalities. The solution in a perfect world; one side should get toughened up, while the other to show some compassion and consideration for others; this is far easier said than done. How do you deal with the opposition or what suggestions do you have for those that need some insight in to this issue?

Martial arts contains many body gestures especially when practicing katas also when facing off with an opponent. We give away many visual clues to how we are feeling and also clues on our personality. We can be perceived as a victim type or something similar to a friend or enemy. Martial art practice is actually building up you body gestures to look and become more confident as a human being. Sales people (paid on a commission basis) practice smiling in the mirror till it looks natural, as they have learned through experience, that by looking friendly, improves their sales performance. My older brother once told me as an eleven year old kid, that I need to work on my fierce looking face, while looking in the mirror, as I was looking far too sweet and innocent for my age. Most successful people are very aware of their body language and of those around them. My wife often comments that I look more like her body guard than her husband. While recently out with my professional looking camera, two guys were visually singling me out as a victim, to perhaps steal it. As I have often been accused by many people on the street as a narc; I can play off on that look for when need be. Instead of looking away from these two would be robbers, I started to slowly make my way towards them, but not directly, more as flanking them would be a better description, as to get a better look at their faces. Of course they don't want any part of this and move away from me faster than I am moving towards them. Body language and facial expressions, are you good at using this to your advantage in every aspect of your life? It is actually a fun topic to learn and play with, wherever you are.

Which quotes were good and which were out of date?I'd have to go back and review. I do recall reading it and thinking "wow, the world has moved on from that perspective." Hagakure gave me a similar impression, as well (except Hagakure was way more boring.) Miyomoto's words are two things, a gift and a winning mindset; same holds true also with Bruce Lee.They are not going to be able to re-explain them selves so we can understand them, neither should they. A martial artist, now or in the future will be able to make sense of their insightfulness and make good use of it. If Miyomoto is difficult to understand, just, think how difficult it was for his opponents to figure him out, without his book or manual to go by. Miyomotos teachings are not a read it once and you have it figured out, it is more like a place to review and revisit throughout your martial art journey, to make more sense of his words than the last visit. To the bold type above... If I was Miyomoto's opponent, and his book or manual was available, I'd not have the whole and complete understanding because, imho, books/manuals can have that intention underlying withheld in its manuscript. A teacher doesn't always reveal everything that's taught to their student for that teachers own reason(s). So, I'd be cautious as to what I was reading because one can't judge a book in its totality because Miyomoto might have kept things to himself. Have to keep the blade sharp, at all times!! As Miyomoto was in his 60's when starting writing his book (retreated to the mountains) I don't this as a time to start keeping secrets, very much the opposite, from my understanding of him.Every human being keeps a part of themselves private, for whatever the reason(s) might or might not be. We become proponents of ourselves much deeper and deeper into their own self created quagmire through their own doing(s). Imho!! Miyamoto died of stomach cancer, the brevity of his books, perhaps was to present himself and his ideas in a broader way, due to being closer to death and pointing out key areas, that he felt worthwhile studing and investigating.With each student finding their own personal way by practicing, with the correct spirit and strategies that he highlighted. Miyamoto's words have had a very strong and deep meaning for me, when fighting or sparring, very recently, for the last twenty years, in the late 1990's, as up to that point, I was never formally or otherwise, hadn't been introduced to strategy up until then. His fighting and writing both hitting the point, very accurately, that can be used in any field of endeavor, including business and daily living. For a martial artist that has never been involved or introduced to Miyamoto, there is no time like the present to start learning. To be a life long, humble student of martial arts, then there is no better companion than Miyamoto Musashi by your side, never once have I felt anything else but the truth, from this remarkable warrior.

There are many stories about perseverance, when a student for instance was trying to be accepted by a martial art master. As the master knew, that a student without perseverance, will not be able to finish what was started. Often times the student would wait patiently outside the master's house. The potential student knowing, that eventually would become accepted by the master. This first lesson of perseverance for martial artists is an important one, that could very easily be confused with patience. (continue vs waiting as perseverance vs patience) Perseverance and determination work well together. If you want something, chances are it will be your perseverance, is what brings you closer to it and not patience. I have used this perseverance method, when pursuing a dream job, just like the student trying to be accepted by a master. The employer kept refusing my applications, but perseverance paid of, as the boss was ill and needed help to meet his deadlines. Guess who came to his mind first? How has perseverance helped you develops as a martial artist or anything else for that matter, while on this subject?

"Why did you rob the bank?""Because that is where the money is." There is a point where logic hits the ground level of reasoning or justification. Something that holds the truth and nothing more. Minimal effort with maximum effect. The samurai sword, could not become any lighter and stronger (thanks to the master sword maker's effort of bending the steel many times) then sharpening till razor sharp. The samurai swordsman, could not become any stronger, training diligently day and night, then rifining and sharpening his skills till razor sharp. Till the spirit of the man and sword became forged with each other, matched each others strength and became one of the same, till nothing more could be reduced till all that remains was life and death, or to crush or not! Miyamoto killed others in duels with a wooden sword just as easily as if was made of steel. As it is said today, that the clothes makes the man, this is not true of Miyamoto, as he knew the strengths and weaknesses of men and weapons, using this knowledge to his advantage. The insulting gesture of Miyamoto using a wooden sword in a duel with his opponent carrying steel, is a psychological warfare tactic, also having an element of surprise attached, with the effect of giving the opponent the upper hand, making them feel over confident about winning. Other tactical advantages Miyamoto used in conjunction with his way of throwing off the opponent's game, was to show up late for the duel, very late, while other times showing up early, for those that needed alot of preparation time, was perfect for making them feel nervous and unprepared. The waiting game, once more Miyamoto using psychological warfare, creating doubt, and or boredom in his opponents, keeping them wondering and guessing, knowing beforehand his adversaries reactions and using that edge against them. Miyamoto knew how to crush his opponents physically, he also knew the importance of crushing the enemies spirit with psychological tactic, by dulling their senses or having them feel like they are wasting their energy, by manipulating the element of time; over or under sharpening a blade servers the same thing; to render it less than effective. Miyamoto Musashi is more than a samurai, he was a samurai slayer, or to keep with the theme, as a modern day ice crusher with samurai becoming nothing more than crushed ice.

(These are Miyamoto Musashi's words not mine) It's a best-practice to quote the person who originally wrote the phrase. This saves a lot of confusion. It was quoted to Miyamoto Musashi; as plain as day.But if you (singularity6) have a preferable way of making quotes more easily identifiable, then please feel free to share how it is to be done.

Someone noticed?

(These are Miyamoto Musashi's words not mine)

This means to crush the enemy regarding him as being weak. If we crush lightly, he may recover. You must learn the spirit of crushing as if with a hand grip. In single combat, if the enemy is less skilful than yourself, if his rhythm is disorganized, or if he has fallen into evasive or retreating attitudes, we must crush him straightaway, with no concern for his presence and without allowing him space for breath. It is essential to crush him all at once. The primary thing is not to let him recover his position even a little-Miyamoto Musashi How do you feel about crushing your enemies? Crushing enemies, perhaps for this day and age, is considered to be an overly aggressive attitude, is it possible to keep this only in mind but not in practice as martial artists?

When you have come to grips and are striving together with the enemy, and you realize that you cannot advance, you "soak in" and become one with the enemy. You can win by applying a suitable technique while you are mutually entangled. In battles involving large numbers as well as in fights with small numbers, you can often win decisively with the advantage of knowing how to "soak" into the enemy, were you to draw apart, you would lose the chance to win-Miymoto Musashi Do you use "soak in" strategy within your chosen martial art discipline and how does it work for you in combative situations?

To hold down a pillow means not allowing the enemy's head to rise. In contests of strategy it is bad to be led about by the enemy. You must always be able to lead the enemy about. Obviously the enemy will also be thinking of doing this, but he cannot forestall you if you do not allow him to come out. In strategy, you must stop the enemy as he attempts to cut, you must push down his thrust, and throw off his hold when he tries to grapple. This is the meaning of "to hold down a pillow". When you have grasped this principle, whatever the enemy tries to bring about in the fight you will see in advance and suppress it. The spirit is to check his attack at the syllable "at..." when he jumps check his advance at the syllable "ju..." and check his cut at "cu...". The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy's useful actions but allow his useless actions. However, doing this alone is defensive. First, you must act accordingly to the way, suppress the enemy's techniques, foil his plans, and hence command him directly. When you can do this you will be a master of strategy-Miyamoto Musashi Miyamoto Musashi and Bruce Lee seem very similar in their respective martial art disciplines, universal truths are inevitably roads made of the sme stuff that lead to the same place. It seems "Jeet Kune Do" or "The Way of the Intercepting Fist" also seems like "The Way Of Miyamoto Musashi" Do you see the similarities between their methodologies?

"Holding down a shadow" In single combat, hold down the enemy's strong intention with a suitable timing, and defeat him by forestalling him with this timing-Miyamoto Musashi Can you hold down a shadow in combat?

"Here? There? Like that? Like this? Slow? Fast?" Victory is certain when the enemy is caught up in a rhythm that confuses his spirit. In single combat, we can confuse the enemy by attacking with varied techniques when the chance arises. Feint a thrust or cut, or make the enemy think you are going close to him, and when he is confused you can easily win. This is the essence of fighting-Miyamoto Musashi Are you throwing your opponents into confusion? Such as with mis-direction, think/aim high and hit low. Or using obvious rhythm then broken rhythm. Perhaps just guessing here, but also with timing, as Bruce Lee using a "Slow, slow, quick quick, slow" method; borrowed from his ballroom dancing background. One method, I used to put myself "into the mood" to confuse the opponent, was to switch up on ready positions from different styles; it had a way of adding new features that ordinarily I wouldn't use, due to, sticking to the one style same techniques became too predictable against experienced opponents. How are you "doing it" throwing into confusion, your opponents?