Musashi's Book of Five Rings. Stephen F. Kaufman

Чтение книги онлайн.

      WHY I CALL MY SCHOOL

       “ONE WAY—TWO SWORDS”

      It is common for a warrior to carry two swords. One is a long sword and the other is a short sword. The names for the swords varies from place to place and time to time. My school teaches the proper use of both swords in combat even though a warrior can rely on either one or the other. Spears, lances and bows with arrows are generally used out of doors, as is the sword. Swords are used indoors and outdoors but mainly for close combat. You must be able to wield the swords in any situation. The comparison between halberds, spears, bows and arrows is evident and makes perfect sense in the context of a combat situation. The sword is easier to deal with regardless of the terrain where you happen to be fighting. At the beginning of training, lances, spears, and other weapons are certain to prove difficult, especially if you have never had experience with them. But in time all things work to your advantage when you pursue them with an open heart. I insist that my students start their training with both swords in either hand. In a combat situation you must understand how to make complete use of your weapons. Any other reasoning is foolish. If you are going to die in battle then you should do so with the utmost respectability and dignity. It is a terrible shame to die in battle with your sword undrawn or yourself unable to use it correctly. Because my system employs both swords, a warrior must hold the sword in one hand. It is hard to use a sword correctly when it is held with both hands. You are also limited to the use of the one sword when the other sword remains passive. A drawn weapon is a killing device and must be used as such. It is not for play.

      Whatever your determination or will-power, it is foolish to try to change the nature of things. Things work the way they do because that is the Way of things. The warrior should fully understand the nature of the weapon he is using. The long sword is used in a broad manner and the short sword for in-close combat.

      Your choice of weapons does not make much difference if you understand their nature. You must also understand the purpose of their existence as well. Once this is done, you will then be able to wield any weapon that you have trained with if you have trained with all your heart. The main idea of my Way of strategy is to win. There is nothing else.

      The following is a philosophical truth. One thing does one thing, two things do four things. Think this through. If you are fighting a crowd or controlling a group, it is better to use two swords than one.

      It is very hard to explain these ideas in detail because of their intuitive nature. Once you have understood the depth of the thing you are studying, the “spirit” of all things will reveal itself to you.