Schools That Use an Extra Long Sword
Schools that rely on the extra long sword and distance become weak because they avoid closing in. True strategy requires closing in and defeating the enemy with one stroke, relying on spirit and resolve rather than weapon length.
THE IDEA
SCHOOLS THAT USE AN EXTRA LONG SWORD
Other schools, because they teach a method that relies on distance between themselves and the enemy, are generally unable to close in on the enemy easily. They are afraid of going in to the enemy and defeating him with one stroke. They think the length of their weapon can offer them additional security in combat. Yet the extra length only hinders their resolve. This alone makes them weak. They are weak, and if they fought someone from my Ichi school, they would very simply be closed in on and defeated.
Fighting from a distance without the advantage of strategy prevents the warrior from becoming one with his true self. Fighting this way separates the body and the spirit and is therefore not effective in fights to the death. Certainly it is advantageous to have the edge in distance or speed, but without proper understanding of strategy these so-called advantages become weapons that can be used against you. If you truly understand strategy, then you simply do not need advantages as such. You cannot rely on your weapons alone, though you must be able to wield them thoroughly, applying their nature with the correct execution and form. Your resolve must be intense and your courage steadfast. You must go in to the attack in order to win the fight. This is the Way.
A short sword can easily beat an extra long sword. Essentially, the weapon in and of itself is meaningless without the proper application of its virtues by the warrior. Keep in mind there are martial arts that have been developed to provide unarmed self-defense against a warrior wearing armor and wielding a sword. An unarmed warrior can beat an armed warrior if my strategy is understood. So again, it is the development of the spirit that carries you through battle and makes you victorious.
When a warrior uses an extra long sword, it is difficult for him to come in close and dispatch the enemy swiftly. If a man is unable to function because of his choice of weapon, then he is easily defeated. This does not mean that you should disregard the virtue of an extra long sword. Everything has its value, even if it is not apparent to you.
You must always be prepared to deal with every situation, regardless of how you are equipped. This means with the long sword, the short sword, no sword, or an extra long sword. My personal preference is for the long sword. It is important to understand the differences in weapons and the places they can be used.
Even so, it is not altogether impossible for someone with an extra long sword to be able to do exquisite battle in an inappropriate place. Consider this possibility. Being aware of the conditions of others does not automatically make you superior. Circumstances being equal, the winner of the fight is still the one with the most resoluteness. It is essential for a student on the path of the warrior never to close his mind to the possibilities of other possibilities.
When to use it
A startup with limited resources using aggressive, focused strategy to compete against larger, better-funded companies.
In negotiations, using direct and decisive tactics rather than relying on lengthy presentations or delays.
A shorter athlete using speed and aggressive tactics to overcome a taller opponent's reach advantage.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Unarmed vs. Armed
An unarmed warrior can defeat a warrior with a sword if he understands true strategy, emphasizing spirit and resolve over weapon advantages.
Short Sword vs. Extra Long Sword
A warrior with a short sword can easily close in on and defeat an opponent using an extra long sword, who is hindered by the difficulty of fighting at close range.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How does relying on external advantages like weapon length affect your resolve in high-stakes situations?
In what areas of your life do you use 'extra long sword' strategies that might actually prevent you from closing in on your goals?
What does it mean to close in on the enemy with one stroke in a metaphorical sense, such as in business or personal challenges?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Musashis book of five rings the definitive interpretation of Miyamoto Musashis classic book of strategy (Kaufman, SteveMiyamoto, Musashi)