![]() “Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things. The Book of Earth is Musashi’s introduction to the Way, and outlines the strategy he teaches his students. Split into 5 books, each book is dedicated to an element of battle and described as Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and the Book of The Void. While the work is adapted from other sources, Musashi added his own interpretations and unique insight to make The Book of Five Rings a personal and unique body of work. ![]() The book’s contents reflect the lessons Musashi taught his student in his own dojo. In a modern application this could be a business decision, a goal to run a marathon, and anything in between. ![]() In Musashi’s case, he was concerned with cutting down his opponent as quickly as possible while minimising risk to himself. ![]() The simplicity of Musashi’s approach is likely part of its success - casting aside frills and actions that have no practical purpose, focusing only on that which gets us from A to B most effectively. Its profound philosophy on turning a pursuit into a way of life, and understanding that when we become competent in one discipline, the skill carries over into all others, has led people to apply the book’s teachings in all areas of life, from martial arts to business. Around the year 1645, martial artist and Japan’s most renown swordsman Miyamoto Musashi wrote The Book of Five Rings, a text on kenjutsu and martial arts. ![]()
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