The Book of Five RIngs

The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho) is a classic treatise on military strategy written by a samurai warrior named Miyamoto Musashi. A friend of mine, upon learning of my fascination with Sun-Tzu's The Art of War suggested that I also read this book. According to him, most CEOs of the world's biggest conglomerates commit the lessons of this book to heart.



Musashi introduced himself as a skilled warrior who never knew defeat. At age 30, he realized that his victories were not due to his mastery of strategy. So he studied and searched for the principle and came to realize the Way of Strategy when he was 50. He came up with 5 books concerning different aspects for this principle namely Ground, Water, Fire, Air and Void.

The Ground Book

"There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord."

This book focused on the use of weapons. But I was more concerned with his discussions on timing as part of the strategy. It is emphasized that there is timing in everything and that timing in strategy cannot be mastered without a great deal of practice. I agree. This principle is not only applicable in the battlefield. In our daily lives, we encounter situations wherein the exact moment when we speak is as important as the words that we are going to say. As a public speaker back in college, I enjoyed taking control of the audience atmosphere by giving equal emphasis to words and pauses. There was power in it but long hours of practice was needed to eventually wield said power to proper advantage.

The Water Book

"Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed, do not let your spirit slacken."

Here, the principal focus was to methods of achieving victory in combat. Techniques in handling weapons and proper footwork were explained all through out. But I was more interested in his ruminations about spiritual bearing in strategy. Most of the time, it is being calm that get us through nerve-wracking situations. It requires real discipline to do it though. During the time when exams loom like monsters, I was one of the bravest. I was able to develop a calm resolve even if I was not really that prepared. I learned from previous experience that even if I studied hard, if I panic, i can't remeber anything.

The Fire Book

Fighting was lengthily discussed here. Though useful in combat, someone needs enough background in the art of the sword before the principles essayed here can be applied in practical non-combative life.

The Wind Book

"As I said before, if you fix your eyes on details and neglect important things, your spirit will become bewildered, and victory will escape you.""

The Book of the Void

"When your spirit is not in the least clouded, when the clouds of bewilderment clear away, there is the true void."