KAKITA'S tHE sWORD
(Transcribed by Asahina Masami)
Introduction
Some men will tell you of their duels as if they were counting stones on the shore.
I cannot do so.
I do not know how many duels I have fought, and I cannot tell you how many breaths I have taken. To number them dishonors the brave men who have fallen before the sword, and transforms the instinctual into something contrived. Dueling is a natural art, one which must be practiced before all other things, and one whose reward for perfection is nothing more than life itself. Wielding a sword should be as natural as being alive. The sword must live within you. The stances are its walk, and the rhythm of the swing is the speech of a warrior. Honor is the heart of the duel - the breath and the blood of the sword.
Sword of a Warrior
Understanding the way of the sword is within the understanding of one’s own body. To accomplish this, there must be a time of meditation and contemplation of the self. The wielder must be forged, as the sword is forged. The body must be made ready. There has never been a sword which was not forged until its steel was true, and there should never be a warrior who would wield a sword unless they too, have undergone the fires of the forge. Discipline and practice, these are the fires which harden the student of the blade, and humility is the snow into which he should be thrust.
The stance, the hands, and the eye must all be trained, allowing for the quick and correct response to any situation. Whenever striking the opponent, the sword and the body must be as one. Strengthen the spirit as well as the body, and the depths of the soul will become the steel of the blade. To become one with the sword, the practitioner must learn patience, perseverance, and humility. To achieve this, there must be a hundred days of hand, a thousand days of spear, and ten thousand days of sword...
Mental Attitude
To observe without moving the eyes, to sharpen the mind as well as the body - the enhancement of the sixth sense should be practiced and refined in order to gain full control of one’s mental attitude. In both peaceful times and in war, one’s attitude should be the same - refined, noble, and disciplined. Ascertain the truth from the outside in - take in the broad viewpoint and sharpen the mind until you find the truth within all things. Even when the body is at rest, the mind should be controlled and in a state of concentration. Walk the path of various arts and skills, broaden your knowledge of the world and do not be deceived. If you mind is strong then your spirit will never be hampered by your physical condition, even when you are exhausted.
When one speaks of “crossing the expanse,” it can be in the context of a small lake or a large sea - it can be a short distance or a long one. In the course of a lifetime, one must cross many waters - both the mind and the body must be prepared for the journey. In order to pass through life, one must have a keen mind and decisive spirit, so that the weaknesses of the body can be overcome. The body is little more than the vessel for the journey. It must be forged, but the mind must be its guide or the voyage is failed before it begins.
On the Body Strike
The body is also a weapon. Those who insist on wielding two swords against a single opponent have forgotten that the greatest weapon is the self. The Kenshinzo, or Swordsmaster, must have mastered his own body before ever touching the sword - and the body is the greatest weapon one has. To disregard it in favor of a second sword is foolish. It dishonors you as certainly as if two men struck the same opponent, and it does not allow the use of the full body - only the arms. It is certain that the greatest of techniques is called the secret sword - the sword of the body. Position, force, and the generated power of the chi is the fundamental strength against which no opponent can stand.
When attacking a strong force, one would be wise to use strategy and strike where the opponent is weakest. If the opponent wields two swords, they appear strong, but they have forgotten the meaning of true strength. They hide their cowardice behind steel, and are no more than a rice paper cottage behind a stone wall. The strongest weapon a warrior has is not the steel of the blade; it is also the true strength of courage, the true sword of bushido. Among other schools, there are some which are partial to using two swords. In my school, this is a sign of cowardice. Attempts to achieve victory by a few extra inches of steel is a weakness of spirit. Although those who study such a school have rationalizations for their path, such rationalizations have no ground when they are seen from the true path of bushido.
I have no dislike for the technique of the two swords; only for the spirit which leads to the preference of two swords. It is a true weakness, a weakness of the soul. Is it impossible for one man to win against two opponents? There are many examples where one man has defeated two - or more. In my school of iajiutsu, there is a dislike for such a narrow spirit. This should be carefully studied…
The Three Initial Attacks
The three initial attacks are to confuse an enemy, to strike at the mind; to engage with the steel of the sword, to strike at the body; and to intimidate an enemy with your chi, to strike at the spirit. To succeed in any one of these is to defeat your opponent. The source of power in swordplay is the swift defeat, not the prolonged strike and block technique. Applying the power of the mind as well as the power of the muscle, the sword will become effectively a part of the body. This is the “secret sword” of the warrior.
Mastering the sword requires learning to project power into the weapon. The sword must be respected. Moral and spiritual qualities are required in order to perfect the three initial attacks. It requires a strategy of calmness in thought, patience in action, and a meditative spirit. If one has mastered the body, mind and spirit, the three initial attacks come naturally to the sword of the warrior. Once you have overcome the spirit of the opponent, their weaknesses come to light and one is placed in a position of power. Thus can victory be achieved even before the first strike is made.
The One Strike
This means to strike an opponent with the strike of a single moment; to perform each action so that no second is needed, to strive for perfection in each kata, each duel and each moment. This is the sharpest weapon of the warrior. Complete objectivity, the “eye outside of the body,” allows us to choose our moment. The entire body must be unified with the sword. A single man, a single weapon. They are one. But this is not simply to say that the duelist wields one sword - rather that the duelist is one sword.
Thus, perfection of the strike is achieved as naturally as the outward breath. The strike of the body, spirit, and sword - this is the strike which the student must master if he is to become a true Kenshinzo, a Swordmaster. If this is mastered, no other strike is needed. The single strike, the One Strike of the attuned weapon, this alone will defeat your opponent. There are those who tell you that your opponent will defeat himself in the moment of the strike.
This is not true.
The defeat comes from the single imperfection that your opponent will carry within their soul. The perfect spirit, the soul which bears no stain and the sword whose temper is true - this is the essence of the One Strike. Meditate on this until you understand the eye outside the body, until you reach a point of unity with the Sword…
To Tread on the Sword
To tread on the sword pertains to fighting against large groups of opponents, even when bows or other weapons are used. Responsive attack is the key. If you are preparing your weapon, you will not be able to seize the opportunity to attack when it arises. It is important to attack while others are firing their weapons, and before they prepare for the next volley. A kenshinzo can use this method against one opponent as well. The responsive attack is to tread upon their sword with your own and strike as they are again readying their attack.
One must have the intent to tread with one’s body, spirit, and sword so as to render the opponent incapable of a second round. To destroy your enemy, whether near or far, one must defeat their spirit. When the spirit is broken, the body can have no power, and a Swordsman can turn his back on his opponent. To seize the opportunity is also to defeat the spirit.
When the enemy can no longer attack you, when their weapons are useless and unready, then you will tread upon the sword of your opponent’s spirit. Then is their defeat certain.
Understanding Emptiness
The world around us is in a constant state of change. Everything is real only in comparison with reality, only with relation to other things. Have no illusions within your heart, sharpen your spirit, as you would hone your sword, and when you clear away your clouds of deception you will always emerge victorious. Men will lie to you. Your eyes will deceive you. Your own thoughts and emotions will attempt to cloud the path. Steel never lies, nor deceives, nor hides the way before you.
In the sword, you can find truth.
(This is a transcription from the entry within “Way of the Crane” from the first edition of the L5R RPG. In no way do I own any of this or is any of my original work. The full PDF can be found on DriveThruRPG. Please support the official product.)
Introduction
Some men will tell you of their duels as if they were counting stones on the shore.
I cannot do so.
I do not know how many duels I have fought, and I cannot tell you how many breaths I have taken. To number them dishonors the brave men who have fallen before the sword, and transforms the instinctual into something contrived. Dueling is a natural art, one which must be practiced before all other things, and one whose reward for perfection is nothing more than life itself. Wielding a sword should be as natural as being alive. The sword must live within you. The stances are its walk, and the rhythm of the swing is the speech of a warrior. Honor is the heart of the duel - the breath and the blood of the sword.
Sword of a Warrior
Understanding the way of the sword is within the understanding of one’s own body. To accomplish this, there must be a time of meditation and contemplation of the self. The wielder must be forged, as the sword is forged. The body must be made ready. There has never been a sword which was not forged until its steel was true, and there should never be a warrior who would wield a sword unless they too, have undergone the fires of the forge. Discipline and practice, these are the fires which harden the student of the blade, and humility is the snow into which he should be thrust.
The stance, the hands, and the eye must all be trained, allowing for the quick and correct response to any situation. Whenever striking the opponent, the sword and the body must be as one. Strengthen the spirit as well as the body, and the depths of the soul will become the steel of the blade. To become one with the sword, the practitioner must learn patience, perseverance, and humility. To achieve this, there must be a hundred days of hand, a thousand days of spear, and ten thousand days of sword...
Mental Attitude
To observe without moving the eyes, to sharpen the mind as well as the body - the enhancement of the sixth sense should be practiced and refined in order to gain full control of one’s mental attitude. In both peaceful times and in war, one’s attitude should be the same - refined, noble, and disciplined. Ascertain the truth from the outside in - take in the broad viewpoint and sharpen the mind until you find the truth within all things. Even when the body is at rest, the mind should be controlled and in a state of concentration. Walk the path of various arts and skills, broaden your knowledge of the world and do not be deceived. If you mind is strong then your spirit will never be hampered by your physical condition, even when you are exhausted.
When one speaks of “crossing the expanse,” it can be in the context of a small lake or a large sea - it can be a short distance or a long one. In the course of a lifetime, one must cross many waters - both the mind and the body must be prepared for the journey. In order to pass through life, one must have a keen mind and decisive spirit, so that the weaknesses of the body can be overcome. The body is little more than the vessel for the journey. It must be forged, but the mind must be its guide or the voyage is failed before it begins.
On the Body Strike
The body is also a weapon. Those who insist on wielding two swords against a single opponent have forgotten that the greatest weapon is the self. The Kenshinzo, or Swordsmaster, must have mastered his own body before ever touching the sword - and the body is the greatest weapon one has. To disregard it in favor of a second sword is foolish. It dishonors you as certainly as if two men struck the same opponent, and it does not allow the use of the full body - only the arms. It is certain that the greatest of techniques is called the secret sword - the sword of the body. Position, force, and the generated power of the chi is the fundamental strength against which no opponent can stand.
When attacking a strong force, one would be wise to use strategy and strike where the opponent is weakest. If the opponent wields two swords, they appear strong, but they have forgotten the meaning of true strength. They hide their cowardice behind steel, and are no more than a rice paper cottage behind a stone wall. The strongest weapon a warrior has is not the steel of the blade; it is also the true strength of courage, the true sword of bushido. Among other schools, there are some which are partial to using two swords. In my school, this is a sign of cowardice. Attempts to achieve victory by a few extra inches of steel is a weakness of spirit. Although those who study such a school have rationalizations for their path, such rationalizations have no ground when they are seen from the true path of bushido.
I have no dislike for the technique of the two swords; only for the spirit which leads to the preference of two swords. It is a true weakness, a weakness of the soul. Is it impossible for one man to win against two opponents? There are many examples where one man has defeated two - or more. In my school of iajiutsu, there is a dislike for such a narrow spirit. This should be carefully studied…
The Three Initial Attacks
The three initial attacks are to confuse an enemy, to strike at the mind; to engage with the steel of the sword, to strike at the body; and to intimidate an enemy with your chi, to strike at the spirit. To succeed in any one of these is to defeat your opponent. The source of power in swordplay is the swift defeat, not the prolonged strike and block technique. Applying the power of the mind as well as the power of the muscle, the sword will become effectively a part of the body. This is the “secret sword” of the warrior.
Mastering the sword requires learning to project power into the weapon. The sword must be respected. Moral and spiritual qualities are required in order to perfect the three initial attacks. It requires a strategy of calmness in thought, patience in action, and a meditative spirit. If one has mastered the body, mind and spirit, the three initial attacks come naturally to the sword of the warrior. Once you have overcome the spirit of the opponent, their weaknesses come to light and one is placed in a position of power. Thus can victory be achieved even before the first strike is made.
The One Strike
This means to strike an opponent with the strike of a single moment; to perform each action so that no second is needed, to strive for perfection in each kata, each duel and each moment. This is the sharpest weapon of the warrior. Complete objectivity, the “eye outside of the body,” allows us to choose our moment. The entire body must be unified with the sword. A single man, a single weapon. They are one. But this is not simply to say that the duelist wields one sword - rather that the duelist is one sword.
Thus, perfection of the strike is achieved as naturally as the outward breath. The strike of the body, spirit, and sword - this is the strike which the student must master if he is to become a true Kenshinzo, a Swordmaster. If this is mastered, no other strike is needed. The single strike, the One Strike of the attuned weapon, this alone will defeat your opponent. There are those who tell you that your opponent will defeat himself in the moment of the strike.
This is not true.
The defeat comes from the single imperfection that your opponent will carry within their soul. The perfect spirit, the soul which bears no stain and the sword whose temper is true - this is the essence of the One Strike. Meditate on this until you understand the eye outside the body, until you reach a point of unity with the Sword…
To Tread on the Sword
To tread on the sword pertains to fighting against large groups of opponents, even when bows or other weapons are used. Responsive attack is the key. If you are preparing your weapon, you will not be able to seize the opportunity to attack when it arises. It is important to attack while others are firing their weapons, and before they prepare for the next volley. A kenshinzo can use this method against one opponent as well. The responsive attack is to tread upon their sword with your own and strike as they are again readying their attack.
One must have the intent to tread with one’s body, spirit, and sword so as to render the opponent incapable of a second round. To destroy your enemy, whether near or far, one must defeat their spirit. When the spirit is broken, the body can have no power, and a Swordsman can turn his back on his opponent. To seize the opportunity is also to defeat the spirit.
When the enemy can no longer attack you, when their weapons are useless and unready, then you will tread upon the sword of your opponent’s spirit. Then is their defeat certain.
Understanding Emptiness
The world around us is in a constant state of change. Everything is real only in comparison with reality, only with relation to other things. Have no illusions within your heart, sharpen your spirit, as you would hone your sword, and when you clear away your clouds of deception you will always emerge victorious. Men will lie to you. Your eyes will deceive you. Your own thoughts and emotions will attempt to cloud the path. Steel never lies, nor deceives, nor hides the way before you.
In the sword, you can find truth.
(This is a transcription from the entry within “Way of the Crane” from the first edition of the L5R RPG. In no way do I own any of this or is any of my original work. The full PDF can be found on DriveThruRPG. Please support the official product.)
