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What I Learned from The Book of Five Rings: Strategy Beyond the Sword
Miyamoto Musashi’s The Book of Five Rings is often placed next to The Art of War — and rightly so. But while Sun Tzu’s work is more strategic in a broad, political sense, Musashi’s is raw, personal, and deeply rooted in physical practice.
What makes this 17th-century text so compelling is not just that it was written by a man who reportedly never lost a duel, but that its teachings still land today. Musashi wrote it from a cave, shortly before his death, to transmit his life’s learning to a pupil. What he left behind is much more than a manual on swordsmanship — it’s a guide to mastery.
At its core, Musashi’s message is simple: live intentionally. Whether it’s the way you hold a sword, make a decision, or observe the world, it should come from repeated training, observation, and calm analysis.
He writes, “The principle of strategy is having one thing, to know ten thousand things.” This reminds me of the idea of deep work — when you master a principle so thoroughly, it becomes a lens through which you can understand much more.
For Musashi, constant practice is not a choice; it’s a way of life. “Do nothing which is of no use” hits hard in a world where distraction is the norm. His lessons feel almost minimalist — cut the excess, stay sharp, and move…
