The Book of Five Rings and Airsoft

[Akinno]

"The Name Ichi Ryu Ni To (One school - two swords)
Warriors, both commanders and troopers, carry two swords at their
belt. In olden times these were called the long sword and the sword;
nowadays they are known as the sword and the companion sword. Let it
suffice to say that in our land, whatever the reason, a warrior carries two
swords at his belt. It is the Way of the warrior.
"Nito Ichi Ryu" shows the advantages of using both swords.
The spear and the halberd are weapons which are carried out of doors.
Students of the Ichi school Way of Strategy should train from the start
with the sword and the long sword in either hand. This is a truth: when
you sacrifice your life, you must make fullest use of your weaponry. It is
false not to do so, and to die with a weapon yet undrawn.
If you hold a sword with both hands, it is difficult to wield it freely to
left and right, so my method is to carry the sword in one hand. This does
not apply to large weapons such as the spear or halberd, but swords and
companion swords can be carried in one hand. It is encumbering to hold
a sword in both hands when you are on horseback, when running on uneven
roads, on swampy ground, muddy rice fields, stony ground, or in a
crowd of people. To hold the long sword in both hands is not the true
Way, for if you carry a bow or spear or other arms in your left hand you
have only one hand free for the long sword. However, when it is difficult
to cut an enemy down with one hand, you must use both hands. It is not
difficult to wield a sword in one hand; the Way to learn this is to train
with two long swords, one in each hand. It will seem difficult at first, but
everything is difficult at first. Bows are difficult to draw, halberds are
difficult to wield; as you become accustomed to the bow so your pull
will become stronger. When you become used to wielding the long
sword, you will gain the power of the Way and wield the sword well."

Just some old school samurai philosophy for you guys. I think much of this can translate to modern combat if you modernize some of the terms. Here "swords" can just as easily be firearms. Samurai were accustomed to both a primary and secondary weapon. I think it's interesting how it is implied that weapons have more than their conventional use both in ergonomics and practicality. There are many scenarios in airsoft where it can be more practical to use a rifle with only one hand, and so on. Thoughts?

[Drake]

Yes, the philosophy applies, but don't take it so literally; try to understand the underlying meaning instead. There are annotated versions of these books if you have trouble understanding them. The concepts not only apply to martial applications but to business etc.

[Gato]

Originally Posted by Drake

Yes, the philosophy applies, but don't take it so literally; try to understand the underlying meaning instead. There are annotated versions of these books if you have trouble understanding them. The concepts not only apply to martial applications but to business etc.

As Drake says, it applies elsewhere. I'd go as far as to say it applies to all aspects of life, as does the Art of War. Don't take it in too literal a sense or much of what it can teack will be lost..

[Akinno]

/sigh. Obviously it applies to a more broad scope of things. Any good philosophy applies to broad and narrow focus. I just thought I would share some insight to airsoft and a different perspective. Everyone here is so quick to condemn and disregard content.

[Gato]

For the record, nobody has condemned your post. At the same time, you're not "enlightening" anyone, we've all probably read the book as well as many others.

This isn't a case of "you vs. ASC" but if you keep that attitude, you'll likely find it looking that way.

All Drake and I attempted to do was give you a suggestion, as well as for anyone else who reads this thread.

As well, if you enjoyed Five Rings, look into the Seven Military Classics:
Jiang Ziya's Six Secret Teachings
The Methods of the Ssu-ma
Sun Tzu's The Art of War
Wu Qi's Wuzi
Wei Liaozi
Three Strategies of Huang Shigong
Questions and Replies between Tang Taizong and Li Weigong

[pugs144]

Who's condemning? Did you expect everyone to massage your balls for quoting Musashi?

[R.I.T.Z]

Originally Posted by Akinno

/sigh. Obviously it applies to a more broad scope of things. Any good philosophy applies to broad and narrow focus. I just thought I would share some insight to airsoft and a different perspective. Everyone here is so quick to condemn and disregard content.

Use a primary and a secondary weapon? you don't say?!
Use your weapons to their fullest potential? NO WAY!
Practicing with your arms will make you better? Seriously?! thats news to me!

[Gato]

Originally Posted by pugs144

Who's condemning? Did you expect everyone to massage your balls for quoting Musashi?

If I start quoting Von Clauswitz, can I have mine massaged? :3

[Drake]

The point was that you missed the point.

The excerpt you quoted is about proficiency and adaptability: the translation isn't that you should handle your rifle with one hand (that would even be clumsy) but rather that you adopt techniques so that you can always bring it to bear quickly, while maintaining your balance, etc.

These are concepts that are already integrated in systems like what you'll find in Magpul Dynamics videos and stuff from other schools/instructors. And as stated in the text they may not be intuitive or easy techniques, but they pay off once you master them.

[coach]

Originally Posted by R.I.T.Z

Use a primary and a secondary weapon? you don't say?!

Yes but I wield my primary with both hands and keep my secondary out of the way yet close and accessible

[R.I.T.Z]

Originally Posted by coach

Yes but I wield my primary with both hands and keep secondary out of the way yet close and accessible

ah but is your primary a long sword, short sword, spear, halberd, or bow?

[coach]

Originally Posted by R.I.T.Z

ah but is your primary a long sword, short sword, spear, halberd, or bow?

Depends....sometimes long, sometimes short, but often somewhere in between. lol

[R.I.T.Z]

Originally Posted by coach

Depends....sometimes long, sometimes short, but often somewhere in between. lol

well then you must learn to use them both, one in each hand!
otherwise your not using all your potential

[pugs144]

Originally Posted by Gato

If I start quoting Von Clauswitz, can I have mine massaged? :3

Reconcile the differences between Clausewitz and Jomini first

[Akinno]

Originally Posted by Drake

The point was that you missed the point.

The excerpt you quoted is about proficiency and adaptability: the translation isn't that you should handle your rifle with one hand (that would even be clumsy) but rather that you adopt techniques so that you can always bring it to bear quickly, while maintaining your balance, etc.

These are concepts that are already integrated in systems like what you'll find in Magpul Dynamics videos and stuff from other schools/instructors. And as stated in the text they may not be intuitive or easy techniques, but they pay off once you master them.

That was exactly my point. The part with handling the weapon with one hand was just a direct example. Everyone is so quick to make assumptions. I just wanted to discuss the topic as a whole. I also think relating to already integrated concepts is also missing the point. It's about looking at things from a different perspective. But I apologize for fueling the internet hate machine. I'll just reframe from doing so in the future.