Admiral Odin Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 To be honest, I don't think of my self as an expert swordsmen. To me I'm merely a novice. So much of European swordsmanship has been lost that a true expert or master does not exist. However a sword can only be used in so many ways. Using common sense shows this. In this European swordsmanship is harder since you have to be constantly open to new ideas, you need to acknowledge that you do not know everything. You also need to have greater discipline since there really isn't a place you can go to learn it. ----------------------------------------------- Zoom: Some Rapiers did have an edge but it was never for slashing. It was to prevant grabbing and another parrying method that I will talk about when I get to the lessons on the Rapier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted May 30, 2003 Author Share Posted May 30, 2003 Well, if you study Japanese forms formally, they teach one to use the point infrequently, and to do so lower down, with the blade upside-down from a good, firm stance. Myself...I like to use a European thust, straight from the shoulder and lightning-quick, with no obvious messing around with stances that would tip your opponent. This is very hard to do with a samurai sword (because it is blade-heavy, and commits too much of your weight forward,) but I eventually learned how to counterbalance by throwing the opposing leg backwards to widen the stance as I'm thrusting. This would, no doubt, confound an easterner who'd never seen it before...just as the samurai's sword's ability to turn in a short arc (because of the long handle) would upset a European ignorant of such things. Mixing forms is definitely *legal* in the art of swordsmanship, and innovation is frequently victory. Just for the record, I'm not an expert either. There are people with degrees in this, who make their livings off of that knowledge, who would no doubt be quite offended if I considered myself such. I would insist that they are the real experts--martial arts teachers, shaolin monks, university professors with PhDs, museum curators, etc. My authority is as a back yard swordsman, an amateur teacher of other amateurs. My qualifications in zen are beside the point--I'll be teaching it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted May 31, 2003 Author Share Posted May 31, 2003 Innovations in Japanese steel smithing This is a dry subject, so I'll visit it briefly. In the above picture, we see a nihonto dagger that has been professionally repolished to bring the activity in the steel back to its original finish. Note the bright hamon that goes along the edge and back around the tip. This is the hardest part of the blade, and also the prettiest. Here we have another blade, from a larger sword, that shows another hamon with more activity. Note the swirling grain in the steel itself. These pictures should help illustrate why nihonto are insured as fine art. The hamon that we see along the edge is put on the blade last, but the grain is the result of a key Japanese innovation: folding steel. Other cultures folded their steel, but in Japan they learned how to use it effectively. Folding steel means just that--as the smith is milling the steel, he folds it over and over on itself so that it develops microscopically-thin layers within that give the steel rigidity. If you fold too much, the steel becomes brittle...which is why most cultures only folded their steel a few times. The Japanese, though, took the art to its extreme by pattern-welding the steel. Pattern-welding is a trick where the smith integrates different blocks of metal into the final blade. On viking swords for example, steel was difficult to mill with the technology availalable, so the smith welded smaller bits of steel to a larger iron core in making his blade. Japanese smiths used this process to make a folded steel blade that had core steel which was folded just a few times, leaving it flexible, and skin steel that was folded to the max for super hardness. With the properties of both steels working in unison, the nihonto blade has both flexibility and toughness in full measure. The last step before tempering the blade (reheating and plunging into water--or oil--for a final 'stress treatment') was to coat the steel with a thin layer of clay, leaving some of the edge and tip uncovered so that it would gain additional hardness in the temper. This was where the smith made the hamon, and his chance for artistic expression on the blade. Afterwards, a grinder would give the tempered blade its finish, and a third craftsman--the polisher--would bring out the smith's artistry in the final product. The Japanese technique could take a smith many months to finish a single blade. Samurai swords were prohibitively expensive in their day--only the wealthy samurai class could afford them. Today you only need $1000... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Odin Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 Zoom: Nice blade. You missed a reason for folding steel. Folding steel spreads out the impurities of the metal. This will make a stronger sword. While we are on the subject. Something I love in European swords are fullers. First I guess I should say what a fuller is. A fuller is when a sword's blade has a dip in it. Below is a cross section of a blade without a fuller: <> A fuller would take the top and bottom points and curve them inwards. Example: Swords with fullers Now the strange part. Contrary to what may be your first idea, in that a fuller weakens a blade. A fuller strengthens a sword, makes it lighter and actually stronger. It also has mistakenly been called a blood groove. Finally I own the sword on the right. The pic doesn't do it justice. Soon I'll show off my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted June 2, 2003 Author Share Posted June 2, 2003 Nice sword! I like brass, though, so I'd probably take the other one. Just for the record, neither of those pics are of my own swords--I found them by way of the great Oracle of Google as illustrative examples. I wish I did have a photo of my better sword, Juzumaru; he isn't in as good a polish as the one above, but he has a striking kami-no-tsume choji-ba hamon with ahi and a yakidashi that blows it away. (All of the preceding Japanese sword babble basically meant 'wicked jiggedy line on the blade.') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Odin Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 I like that one as well. It's another fine example of a viking sword. I really like that place, it sells good swords for reasonable prices. I also been going through the commendations. One of my favorite shows gave MRL an very good one. (History Channel Conquest) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Have you watched "Warrior Challenge"? If so, what do you think of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Odin Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Sorry I've never seen it.... Today lesson: 3. Sword and Shield Part II. Three basic stances and basic cuts By now you should have been praticing your foot work and we can begin with the basic stances. These stances are Middle, High and Back. Each cut will end by returning to these stances/guards. This is also the harder part to describe with out illustrations. When describing each stance I give the cuts used and describe them. Middlge Stance/Guard Your sword arm is held at a 90 degree angle at the elbow. Keeping this right angle you move your hand to your about your waste. This position is for side cuts, and thrust. *Key Note* When making a cut or thrust the shield is kept in front of you, unlike movies you do not move it aside as this leaves you vunerable to counter attacks. Thrust A thrust is when you basically stab your opponent. This is effective when landed. A thrust can be aimed at any part of the body. Legs, arms chest, head. To execute a thrust, (remember footwork) You extend your arm to and lunge. It is easy and effective. Also if sparring this is far more dangerous (one reason movies don't do this). Side to Side cut This is a little self explanitory. You cut from right to left. Defense The Does and don'ts 1. If you can avoid the attack, no sense in give unnecessary damage to the shield or sword. 2. If you can't avoid the attack then use the shield. The sword is to always be your last option. 3. If you must parry with the sword. Do not parry with the blade, this will harm the sword in many ways. Parry with the flat surface of the blade. 4. Do not use the cross guard. It is not meant to catch another sword. If you do your opponents blade can easily skip off the cross guard and hit your wrist. Besides being painful had this been a real fight you would now be down a hand. It very possible for you to sever your hand this way. The cross guard is to protect your hand from smashing into a shield. 5. The Shield, use this to push your opponents sword out of the way. 6. When attacking the Shield is to always be kept in front of you do not move it aside like you see in movies. 7. Keep moving in and out of your opponents range. High Stance/guard Keeping the same right angle at the elbow, rotate your sword arm until the blade is parallel to the ground. Cuts from this stance: Top to Bottom, Top left to bottom right. Top right to bottom left. *Note* These cuts generate a lot of momentum, and do not stop in mid swing pretending to hit your opponent, follow through. Top to Bottom This is self explanitory, You slash the sword downwards. Target is the head, and shoulder usually. Top left to Bottom right You swing the sword around your head and bring it down diagonally. When you finish the cut your sword will be in the back guard position. Top Right to Bottom Left You dont' swing over your head, but use a diagonal swing. THis is a little harder since you have a shield, however your target will probably be your opponets shield arm. Back Stance/Guard Going from the middle guard, you basically straighten your arm and bring it behind you. Make sure you leave your arm a little bent so you don't lock your elbow. Cuts: Bottom to top, Bottom right to top left. The cuts are basically the same cuts as from the high guard, just in the opposite direction. The targe is once again the chest, and this time the legs. In this stance you are hiding the sword, this can give your opponent a surprise. Other offense move Besides cuts and thrust, you have other options. Punches When you normally punch a person your fingers are rarely in the proper position. This gives you a greater chance of breaking bones and hurting yourself. Now when gripping a sword your bones are in the proper position. This is effective when your in close and can't make a cut. Pommel The pommel has many a couple of functions. One of those functions is to act as a weapon. Once again when your in close the pommel is a readily availble option you can use to hit your opponet. Shield This is often considered a defense only item. This is not true. With a shield you can push, and hit your opponent. The edge can deliver painful blows. If the shield has a boss (a metal cone), it can be used against the person like the pommel. kicks Yes you can kick. But when kicking aim for the legs. I would go no high then the knees. The biggest risk is that your opponent will counter with the sword and you lose a foot. Still this is a viable option. Finally, I will lay to rest a to common myth. That is the legs are not a target. This is wrong, if you can immobilize your opponent then you do so. The legs are a viable target and something you may want to aim for. Also, the entire body is a target, front to back, head to toe. If you can get behind your opponent you do so. Now then, who has questions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted June 4, 2003 Author Share Posted June 4, 2003 Edlib: Haven't seen it. Is it a movie or a teevee show? A word on kicking: There is also the risk that your opponent will push you over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 PBS. It's a reality show. It's actually kinda cool. Right up Admiral's alley, so I'm a bit surprised he hasn't seen it. They take modern men, usually in some "tough-guy" type jobs (cops, firemen, soldiers, etc...) and train them for a couple of weeks in ancient arms and armor. Then they usually bash it out at the end. Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/warriorchallenge/ I've only seen one episode so far. I'm curious to see what you guys think of the authenticity of it all. Plus it's pretty funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted June 5, 2003 Author Share Posted June 5, 2003 I want to sign up! Right now! I MEAN IT!!! I swear to God, I will kick the ever-loving dogshi--oh, wait. I wonder if they'd take a scrawny little 5'5" line cook...prolly not... Good thing for them. I would kick...their...butts. And smack them around with a yardstick like errant schoolchildren, while telling them who their real daddy is. Yeah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted June 5, 2003 Author Share Posted June 5, 2003 I'd like to affirm what Admiral said about the entire body being a viable target. This includes the mind. Back during the 1600's, there was a famous samurai master named Miyamoto Musashi. During the early part of his life, he killed sixty-some men in duels. In one famous duel, he brought no sword, and killed the enemy with psychology. The man had challenged Miyamoto to a duel, and they agreed to meet at the beach, on a particular hour. He arrived, armed and ready, only to find Miyamoto absent. He waited on the beach, fuming and building up steam for two hours as his insolent opponent continued to not show up. When finally Miyamoto came strolling along the beach unhurriedly, whistling and carrying only a simple stick, the man had borne the final insult. Enraged, he drew his sword and ran at him, yelling with full fury. Miyamoto Musashi simply stepped aside as the madman rushed at him, knocked him upside the back of the head with his stick, then used his unconscious enemy's own sword to behead him. The great master had fought his battle in the mind, not with force. By making his opponent wait on the beach for two hours, he ensured that he would be too angry to focus properly on a sword fight. Bringing only a stick was further insult, and he didn't need one in this case--the enemy's own anger was the weapon he had chosen to use that day. This bears careful working out. Musashi was the greatest samurai warrior of them all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Odin Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 I'm sure you have all seen this type of sword. It has a wavy blade. Normally in movies the enemy is holding this sword. This type of blade is called a Flamberge, and is not something movie makers invented to make the bad guy look even eviler. One predominate myth about this sword is that it does more damage. This is false it does just the same amount of pyshical damage. The flamberge does more mental damage. It looks worse, and deadlier then a normal sword. Also a parrying with a flamberge, a vibration will occur, this can surprise and dismay an opponent not aware of what is causing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylilin Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 There is also a great show on the history channel called "Conquest". Its basically a group of guys who are challenged to master different things. Examples being fencing, fighting in the style of the Roman legion, etc.. Its a fairly interesting show, I catch it on every now and then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted June 6, 2003 Author Share Posted June 6, 2003 Admiral: They are indeed wicked-looking, merciless blades. Of course, a blade is truly only as merciless as its wielder. Some bayonets were made with a jagged saw-edge on the spine early in the twentieth century, with the same idea in mind--intimidation--and the half-cocked notion that a saw would be useful on a knife blade. The judgement of the soldiers who used them, however was 'Give us a bayonet and give us a saw. Don't try to give us one for both.' Kylilin: I wish more than ever that I had teevee right now. I've chosen to go without because most of what I was seeing was idiotic, but these two shows sound like they're worth watching! Shiznabbit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 Eh. At this point I feel I could really live without TV and not miss it too much. For what I'm paying for 200+ channels of cable vs. the amount I actually watch it... you're better off, trust me. Your missing two hours of programming a week is a small sacrifice to make. Almost everything else is crap. Every decent TV show will eventually end up collected on DVD, or as a downloadable file someday, anyway. Now, try to take my cable MODEM away... Here's a possible solution: Get someone to tape them for you (perhaps a like-minded friend/ sparring partner, preferably with great AV equipment. ) That way you can go over thier place watch them all at once, and have an all day "Battle Fest" party,.. filled with fun, food, weapons, and fighting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylilin Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 That's not a bad idea at all. Battlefest 2003. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylilin Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 The Ground Book ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stategy is the craft of the warrior. Commanders must enact the craft, and troopers should know this Way. There is no warrior in the world today who really understands the Way of strategy. There are various Ways. There is the Way of salvation by the law of Buddha, the Way of Confucius governing the Way of learning, the Way of healing as a doctor, as a poet teaching the Way of Waka, tea, archery, and many arts and skills. Each man practices as he feels inclined. It is said the warrior's is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways. Even if a man has no natural ability he can be a warrior by sticking assiduously to both divisions of the Way. Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death. Although not only warriors but priests, women, peasants and lowlier folk have been known to die readily in the cause of duty or out of shame, this is a different thing. The warrior is different in that studying the Way of strategy is based on overcoming men. By victory gained in crossing swords with individuals, or enjoining battle with large numbers, we can attain power and fame for ourselves or for our lord. This is the virtue of strategy. The Way of Strategy In China and Japan practitioners of the Way have been known as "masters of strategy". Warriors must learn this Way. Recently there have been people getting on in the world as strategists, but they are usually just sword-fencers. The attendants of the Kashima Kantori shrines of the province Hitachi received instruction from the gods, and made schools based on this teaching, travelling from country to country instructing men. This is the recent meaning of strategy. In olden times strategy was listed among the Ten Abilities and Seven Arts as a beneficial practice. It was certainly an art but as beneficial practice it was not limited to sword-fencing. The true value of sword-fencing cannot be seen withing the confines of sword-fencing technique. If we look at the world we see arts for sale. Men use equipment to sell their own selves. As if with the nut and the flower, the nut has become less than the flower. In this kind of Way of strategy, both those teaching and those learning the way are concerned with colouring and showing off their technique, trying to hasten the bloom of the flower. They speak of "This Dojo" and "That Dojo". They are looking for profit. Someone once said "Immature strategy is the cause of grief". That was a true saying. There are four Ways in which men pass through life: as gentlemen, farmers, artisans and merchants. The way of the farmer. Using agricultural instruments, he sees springs through to autumns with an eye on the changes of season. Second is the Way of the merchant. The wine maker obtains his ingredients and puts them to use to make his living. The Way of the merchant is always to live by taking profit. This is the Way of the merchant. Thirdly the gentleman warrior, carrying the weaponry of his Way. The Way of the warrior is to master the virtue of his weapons. If a gentleman dislikes strategy he will not appreciate the benefit of weaponry, so must he not have a little taste for this? Fourthly the Way of the artisan. The Way of the carpenter is to become proficient in the use of his tools, first to lay his plans with a true measure and then perform his work according to plan. Thus he passes through life. These are the four Ways of the gentleman, the farmer, the artisan and the merchant. Comparing the Way of the carpenter to strategy The comparison with carpentry is through the connection with houses. Houses of the nobility, houses of warriors, the Four houses, ruin of houses, thriving of houses, the style of the house, the tradition of the house, and the name of the house. The carpenter uses a master plan of the building, and the Way of strategy is similar in that there is a plan of campaign. If you want to learn the craft of war, ponder over this book. The teacher is as a needle, the disciple is as thread. You must practice constantly. Like the foreman carpenter, the commander must know natural rules, and the rules of the country, and the rules of houses. This is the Way of the foreman. The foreman carpenter must know the architectural theory of towers and temples, and the plans of palaces, and must employ men to raise up houses. The Way of the foreman carpenter is the same as the Way of the commander of a warrior house. In the contruction of houses, choice of woods is made. Straight un-knotted timber of good appearance is used for the revealed pillars, straight timber with small defects is used for the innter pillars. Timber of the finest appearance, even if a little weak, is used for the thresholds, lintels, doors, and sliding doors, and so on. Good strong timber, though it be gnarled and knotted, can always be used discreetly in construction. Timber which is weak or knotted throughout should be used as scaffolding, and later for firewood. The foreman carpenter allots his men work according to their ability. Floor layers, makers of sliding doors, thresholds and lintels, ceilings and so on. Those of poor ability lay the floor joist, and those of lesser ability carve wedges and do such miscellaneous work. If the foreman knows and deploys his men well the finished work will be good. The foreman should take into account the abilities and limitations of his men, circulating among them and asking nothing unreasonable. He should know their morale and spirit, and encourage them when necessary. This is the same as the principle of strategy. The Way of Strategy Like a trooper, the carpenter sharpens his own tools. He carries his equipment in his tool box, and works under the direction of his foreman. He makes culumns and girders with an axe, shapes floorboards and shelves with a plane, cuts fine openwork and carvings accurately, giving as excellent a finish as his skill will allow. This is the craft of carpenters. When the carpenter becomes skilled and understands measures he can become a foreman The carpenter's attainment is, having tools which will cut well, to make small shrines, writing shelves, tables, paper lanterns, chopping boards and pot-lids. These are the specialities of the carpenter. Things are similar for the trooper. You ought to think deeply about this. The attainment of the carpenter is that his work is not warped, that the joints are not misaligned, and that the work is truly planed so that it meets well and is not merely finished in sections. This is essential. If you want to learn this Way, deeply consider the things written in this book one at a time. You must do sufficient research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted June 7, 2003 Author Share Posted June 7, 2003 Kylilin: What a coincidence! The very samurai master I was just talking about... (Note: I was going to do a lesson entitled 'Indoor Practice.' I'll sum it up succinctly--don't break anything. Lesson over. Instead I'm starting into the zen.) What is zen? The most direct way of describing zen is by its historical context. Originally developed from teachings of the Buddha in China, it is essentially a form of yoga--a kind of meditation. When it came to Japan with Buddhist monks in the middle ages, it was seen as useful by the samurai warrior class, who developed it further into a wide variety of techniques and schools. I won't bore everyone with its complex interaction with Japanese history, but intermingled they are. It has been said that to study zen is to study what is truly special about Japan. The samurai found zen useful as a means of focusing the mind, and in learning how to use the mind's less obvious abilities. With the practice of zen came awareness of chi, and the ability to manipulate it. Although zen is a spiritual path, the samurai studied at least that much of it as helped their martial abilities, frequently dismissing the spiritual side of things as beside the point. In this way, zen can be taken as little or as much as the practitioner needs...and also why it is popular in the west, where stressed-out westerners want the relaxation offered by meditation, but really have no interest in becoming a Buddhist. The zen I will be teaching here is only as much as would be useful to a swordsman. I, personally, value the spiritual benefits of meditation...but this thread is *wordy* enough as it is. What is a zen riddle? Zen meditation involves breathing exercizes and other stuff performed in a sitting position--what we all recognize as meditation by now, having no doubt encountered a hippy or two in the park on a sunny day--that I will cover in my next lesson. A zen riddle, however, is a puzzle for the mind to work upon that can be thought about while sitting in formal meditation, or while going about daily life. A zen riddle asks a question that doesn't really have a *right* answer (although it does have any number of possible answers that would be right, and even more that wouldn't be.) It's function is to transfix the mind with a riddle that it can't solve--from that state, it is possible for the mind to learn a new trick, and arrive at a state of no-thought, no-self and no-answer. From that point, as confusing as I've probably made it sound, the mind can literally jump to any answer, have any thought...a point which I will call silent non-self. Silent non-self is a useful state of mind in swordsmanship. The unfocused mind in a swordfight is fixed upon a certain point...the enemy's blade, his eyes, his feet, whatever. When it is attacked, it must first retreat from wherever it 'was' before it can react--this only takes an instant, but one's life is measured in instants during a swordfight. One in a state of silent non-self can react instantly, to whatever; his mind is not already tied up. You ought to think deeply on this. (Musashi=da man) Now I will discuss the zen riddle I asked Kjolen on page 2: 'It can be said that I am a skeptic, but not at all a cynic when it comes to a thing. Yes, that is a two-edged sword--who is holding it? If you say God, you are wrong; I do not have the sword, and you do not have it yourself. Where is there air in the mind to cut with steel that has thoroughly rusted?' A skeptic is someone who questions and investigates rather than taking something at face value, and a cynic is someone who already has their mind made up--nothing will convince them that they are wrong. Let's say that I'm talking about UFOs. If I say, 'Oh pooh, they aren't real!' and stick with that opinion no matter what, then I am a cynic. If I say, 'I don't think they're real, but perhaps I should find out for myself,' then I am a skeptic. There is a subtle difference between the two. Now this is where I talk about the 'two-edged sword.' What if deep down inside I really think that there are UFOs, and my investigation is done merely to back up an opinion that I'm trying to prove? I then go from skeptic to cynic. It is a two-edged sword in that it can cut both ways, in a sense--I must be willing to investigate both for and against UFOs impartially. So who gets to judge whether I'm investigating impartially? As the investigator, I'm not qualified to judge my own objectivity (none of us is, IMHO)...this is what I mean when I ask, 'Who is holding it?' (the two-edged zen sword, I mean) At some point, I must decided for myself based on the evidence which it is--UFOs or no UFOs--when the answer seems apparent. In the end, really no one is holding the sword. 'Where is there air in the mind to cut with steel that has thoroughly rusted?' is actually *my* answer to the question. I remind that the symbol of the sword is only that--a symbol--and doesn't really exist; it does its work and disappears. The handle is not real, and one should let it go. *CLANGK!* Don't let go of a real sword, or Admiral and I will come hurt you for damaging precious steel... There. That concludes what will hopefully be my most confusing lecture on zen. From here on, I'll be talking about basic and advanced chi manipulation, pretty straightforward stuff, not trying to free the mind with an invisible sword. Banzai! *Swish* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Rabbit Posted June 12, 2003 Author Share Posted June 12, 2003 Okay--was it Musashi's carpentry talk or my zen sword sophistry that killed this thread? I just have to know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Odin Posted June 12, 2003 Share Posted June 12, 2003 no, it is because I've been to busy to read, or post a lesson. I'll probably do it Sunday if I get the chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mex Posted August 12, 2003 Share Posted August 12, 2003 By and for Aresden. BUMPAGE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynk Former Posted August 12, 2003 Share Posted August 12, 2003 *ahm* It's Aresen you nog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted August 12, 2003 Share Posted August 12, 2003 what i know about zen is it has to do with 'switch' the aware mind away .. means you are able to 'switch' your brain into the 'alpha wave mode' -> kind of subconscious automatic sequence .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylilin Posted August 12, 2003 Share Posted August 12, 2003 The Water Book ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The spirit of the Ni Ten Ichi school of strategy is based on water, and this Water Book explains methods of victory as the long-sword form of the Ichi school. Language does not extend to explaining the Way in detail, but it can be grasped intuitively. Study this book; read a word then ponder on it. If you interpret the meaning loosely you will mistake the Way. The principles of strategy are written down here in terms of single combat, but you must think broadly so that you attain an understanding for ten-thousand-a-side battles. Strategy is different from other things in that if you mistake the Way even a little you will become bewildered and fall into bad ways. If you merely read this book you will not reach the Way of strategy. Absorb the things written in this book. Do not just read, memorise or imitate, but so that you realise the principle from within your own heart study hard to absorb these things into your body. Spiritual Bearing in Strategy In strategy your spiritual bearing must not be any different from normal. Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed do not let your spirit slacken. Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body influenced by your spirit. Be neither insufficiently spirited nor over spirited. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit. Small people must be completely familiar with the spirit of large people, and large people must be familiar with the spirit of small people. Whatever your size, do not be misled by the reactions of your own body. With your spirit open and unconstricted, look at things from a high point of view. You must cultivate your wisdom and spirit. Polish your wisdom: learn public justice, distinguish between good and evil, study the Ways of different arts one by one. When you cannot be deceived by men you will have realised the wisdom of strategy. The wisdom of strategy is different from other things. On othe battlefield, even when you are hard-pressed, you should ceaselessly research the principles of strategy so that you can develop a steady spirit. Stance in Strategy Adopt a stance with the head erect, neither hanging down, nor looking up, nor twisted. Your forehead and the space between your eyes should not be wrinkled. Do not roll your eyes nor allow them to blink, but slightly narrow them. With your features composed, keep the line of your nose straight with a feeling of slightly flaring your nostrils. Hold the line of the rear of the neck straight: instil vigour into your hairline, and in the same way from the shoulders down through your entire body. Lower both shoulders and, without the buttocks jutting out, put strength into your legs from the knees to the tops of your toes. Brace your abdomen so that you do not bend at the hips. Wedge your companion sword in your belt against your abdomen, so that your belt is not slack - this is called "wedging in". In all forms of strategy, it is necessary to maintain the combat stance in everyday life and to make your everyday stance your combat stance. You must research this well. The Gaze in Strategy The gaze should be large and broad. This is the twofold gaze "Perception and Sight". Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things. It is important in strategy to know the enemy's sword and not to be distracted by insignificant movements of his sword. You must study this. The gaze is the same for single combat and for large-scale combat. It is necessary in strategy to be able to look to both sides without moving the eyeballs. You cannot master this ability quickly. Learn what is written here: use this gaze in everyday life and do not vary it whatever happens. Holding the Long Sword Grip the long sword with a rather floating feeling in your thumb and forefinger, with the middle finger neither tight nor slack, and with the last two fingers tight. It is bad to have play in your hands. When you take up a sword, you must feel intent on cutting the enemy. As you cut an enemy you must not change your grip, and your hands must not "cower". When you dash the enemy's sword aside, or ward it off, or force it down, you must slightly change the feeling in your thumb and forefinger. Above all, you must be intent on cutting the enemy in the way you grip the sword. The grip for combat and for sword-testing is the same. There is no such thing as a "man-cutting grip". Generally, I dislike fixedness in both long swords and hands. Fixedness means a dead hand. Pliability is a living hand. You must bear this in mind. Footwork With the tips of your toes somewhat floating, tread firmly with your heels. Whether you move fast or slow, with large or small steps, your feet must always move as in normal walking. I dislike the three walking methods known as "jumping-foot", "floating-foot" and "fixed-steps". So-called "Yin-Yang foot" is important to the Way. Yin-Yang foot means not moving only one foot. It means moving your feet left-right and right-left when cutting, withdrawing, or warding off a cut. You should not move one foot preferentially. The Five Attitudes The five attitudes are: Upper, Middle, Lower, Right Side, and Left Side. These are the five. Although attitude has these five dimensions, the one purpose of all of them is to cut the enemy. There are none but these five attitudes. Whatever attitude you are in, do not be conscious of making the attitude; think only of cutting. Your attitude should be large or small according to the situation. Upper, Lower and Middle attitudes are decisive. Left Side and Right Side attitudes are fluid. Left and Right attitudes should be used if there is an obstruction overhead or to one side. The decision to use Left or Right depends on the place. The essence of the Way is this. To understand attitude you must thoroughly understand the Middle attitude. The Middle attitude is the heart of the attitudes. If we look at strategy on a broad scale, the Middle attitude is the seat of the commander, with the other four attitudes following the commander. You must appreciate this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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