The Book of Five Rings

Introduction

The Book of Five Rings takes its five books from the five elements of Buddhist thought, earth, water, fire, wind and void. The Earth book outlines the way of strategy; the Water book teaches stance, gaze and the use of the sword; the Fire book deals with timing and the psychology of combat; the Wind book weighs the strengths and weaknesses of other schools; and the Void book returns to the state of emptiness. 'When you have grasped the principle of strategy,' Musashi writes, 'there will be nothing you cannot understand.' For him the single duel and the battle of ten thousand follow the same laws, as do swordsmanship and the conduct of life. Spare, cool and practical, it is widely read today, not only as a classic of the martial arts but as a classic of competition and decision.