[Bryn-gwlad] Knight school Optional Reading. (AKA What Caladin is going to try to do to you today...<grin>)

[Eric W. Brown]

Here is the excerpt that I'm trying to internalize from Mushashi's "Book
of the 5 Rings". 

 

I find that if I am able to discuss my goals after trying to fight them
out, I'm better able to learn from 

My experience. I'm hoping you can help me with this.

 

For those of you who are interested, I'm including it here, so that you
might read it and

We can discuss it after the fighting.

 

My goal is to internalize it and begin to apply it.

 

It is an excerpt from the book of Fire.

 

Definition of forestall:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/forestall

 

Enjoy.

 

The Three Methods to Forestall the Enemy 

The first is to forestall him by attacking. This is called Ken No Sen
(to set him up). 

Another method is to forestall him as he attacks. This is called Tai No
Sen (to wait for the initiative). 

The other method is when you and the enemy attack together. This is
called Tai Tai No Sen (to accompany him and forestall him). 

There are no methods of taking the lead other than these three. Because
you can win quickly by taking the lead, it is one of the most important
things in strategy. There are several things involved in taking the
lead. You must make the best of the situation, see through the enemy's
spirit so that you grasp his strategy and defeat him. It is impossible
to write about this in detail. 

The First - Ken No Sen 

When you decide to attack, keep calm and dash in quickly, forestalling
the enemy. Or you can advance seemingly strongly but with a reserved
spirit, forestalling him with the reserve. 

Alternatively, advance with as strong a spirit as possible, and when you
reach the enemy move with your feet a little quicker than normal,
unsettling him and overwhelming him sharply. 

Or, with your spirit calm, attack with a feeling of constantly crushing
the enemy, from first to last. The spirit is to win in the depths of the
enemy. 

These are all Ken No Sen. 

The Second - Tai No Sen 

When the enemy attacks, remain undisturbed but feign weakness. As the
enemy reaches you, suddenly move away indicating that you intend to jump
aside, then dash in attacking strongly as soon as you see the enemy
relax. This is one way. 

Or, as the enemy attacks, attack still more strongly, taking advantage
of the resulting disorder in his timing to win. 

This is the Tai No Sen principle. 

The Third - Tai Tai No Sen 

When the enemy makes a quick attack, you must attack strongly and
calmly, aim for his weak point as he draws near, and strongly defeat
him. 

Or, if the enemy attacks calmly, you must observe his movements and,
with your body rather floating, join in with his movements as he draws
near. Move quickly and cut him strongly. 

This is Tai Tai No Sen. 

These things cannot be clearly explained in words. You must research
what is written here. In these three ways of forestalling, you must
judge the situation. This does not mean that you always attack first;
but if the enemy attacks first you can lead him around. In strategy, you
have effectively won when you forestall the enemy, so you must train
well to attain this. 

 

 

 

To Hold Down a Pillow 

"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 too
check his attack at the syllable "at...", when he jumps check his jump
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 according to the Way, suppressing the
enemy's techniques, foiling his plans and thence command him directly.
When you can do this you will be a master of strategy. You must train
well and research "holding down a pillow". 

 

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