Miyamoto Musashi
Strategic Concepts & Mechanics
Primary Evidence
"Miyamoto Musashi, wrote with blunt contempt that “it does not matter who is stronger or who is faster.”"
"Victory is achieved in the way of conflict by ascertaining the rhythm of each opponent, by attacking with a rhythm not anticipated by the opponent, and by the use of knowledge of the rhythm of the abstract. Miyamoto Musashi, samurai strategist, 17th century Japan; Nihon Services Group trans."
"The 17th century Samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, had taught 300 years before Lawrence that a samurai could win with any weapon, or with none at all, if he used strategy to prepare the opponent before the fight began. Good strategy defeats physical attributes in business as in war, except that in war we shape the enemy and move him as if we were also commanding his forces, and in business we shape and are shaped by the customer and marketplace."
"Miyamoto Musashi, removed the concept from the physical world entirely by designating the spirit of the opponent as the focus: Do not even consider risking a decision by cold steel until you have defeated the enemy’s will to fight.59 This is a revealing statement by a man reported to have won some sixty bouts, virtually all of which ended in the death of his opponent (not surprising, when you consider that the samurai long sword, the tachi, was a four foot blade of steel, sharp as a modern razor, and strong enough to chop cleanly through a water pipe.)"