Mirumoto Hojatsu's Niten
An Essay on the Way of Two Swords by Mirumoto Hojatsu
Why this Sword Is Called the Two-Sword School
I have spent many years on the road, and I have fought forty-seven duels, and I have never lost. This is because I employ a technique that has no anchors to tradition. I employ a technique that teaches movement rather than memorization. My school is called niten, for I use both of my swords, not just the katana. Those who ask why do not understand my thinking. They will attempt to build a house with nails but no hammer…
Stance
Your stance should never change, not from peace or time of war. Natural, natural, natural! The way you stand with a sword in your hand is the same way you stand with a tea cup in your hand. If you fight as you stand, your stance is natural and you do not need to shift your mind.
Kijome’s commentary: The word Mirumoto uses for “stance” is “kamae.” It means posture and stance, but it has also come to mean school. Often times, a samurai will say to another, “Show me your kamae,” and the other will fall into his stance. From this stance, a perceptive samurai can determine which school his opponent has attended.
“Shift your mind,” Many schools teach that there is a “martial mind” and a “non-martial mind.” Hojatsu’s school did not teach such nonsense. If you train your mind to be always sharp, always ready, while others are “shifting their minds,” you are ready and they are dead.
What You Show
There are two concepts taught by Shinsei: “What you show” and “What you do not show.” Strategy is nothing more than knowing how to deceive. Truth is in the killing.
Practice showing something different than your intentions. Practice as often as you can. Then, when the need arises, you can do it without effort or concentration. When it is time to draw the sword, your mind should be on nothing else. Hold your swords out of position, to show your ignorance or vainglory, and anticipate his half-hearted attack.
Seeing the Surface
Do not be deceived by the surface. Learn to see what you are not meant to see. Watch what your opponent cannot hide from you. Do not look at his eyes. A man can always lie with his eyes. Watch his shoulders, his belly, his breathing. Watch all of these. Keep a broad mind. A man can fool you with one, but if your mind is broad, he cannot fool you with all of them. You must practice this diligently.
Strike From the Spirit
When you strike, strike from the spirit. Thought is slow. Spirit has no time, no hesitation. Nothing can distract the spirit. Leave the mind behind.
Kijome’s Commentary: Mirumoto uses the word ‘ku’ which can mean many, many things. It can mean “spirit,” or “emptiness” or “nothing” (there is a profound difference between “emptiness” and “nothing”). Shinsei explained that the spirit exists “where there is nothing” where “[action] is unclouded by emotion or thought.” He explained that perception (the body) is a veil through which we see the universe. The body is imperfect, so our perception is imperfect. But the spirit, that which is in contact with the Void, is pure, and unclouded by emotion and thought. “Striking from the spirit,” then, would mean striking when perception and emotion are put aside.
Let Him Go By
When the enemy charges us with urgency and strength, let him go by.
A sidestep is quicker than a charge, and puts you in a position where negotiation means nothing.
Knowing
When the spirit is clear, it is in tune with the elements, in perfect accordance. Then, your true perception, you will be with mushin, and your spirit will be one with all the universe, and you will know your opponent’s every desire.
Kijome’s Commentary: “Mushin”means “no-thought,” or “no-mind.” When one is of no—mind, the spirit is free to act without thought. Leave the mind behind, for the mind and body are slow. When a samurai is ‘mushin’he is in touch with all the elements, in tune with the cosmic order, and he knows his enemy better than his enemy knows himself, for his enemy is still hindered by his own perceptions. Some call this “kime” or “kiho”: focusing the ki, or life force.
The River Sword
Be like the water ever flowing with no beginning or ending. One movement leads to another. The river can flow in all directions at once. Make your movements like the river, and you will understand my meaning.
Kijome’s Commentary: “Be like the water.” There are those who believe a single strike solves the duel. This not so. What solves the duel comes before the strike. Observe your opponent and watch him. If you are certain of every stroke, you will never make a mistake, never be caught off-balance and you will always be victorious.
The Virtue of Walking
Many schools teach a “secret stepping technique.” I have no secret technique. It is as I have said, in my school, all movement is natural.
The Five Positions
There are five positions, one for each of the elements. All positions are an opportunity to cut. When you take a position, allow your sword to meet your opponent’s, and use his own momentum as your own. Every moment, there is an opportunity to strike.
The First Position
The sword falls easily at your belly with its tip pointed at your opponent’s throat. The legs are spread comfortably and firmly. Both feet are flat, so you may move when you wish. Never move when you must, only when you wish. The short sword is at your side, resting easily. Your enemy’s confidence will be put asunder by your casual confidence.
The Second Position
The sword is lifted high and falls down upon your opponent. Many think the strength of their arms is what cuts. They are wrong. The sword cuts. The wrists cut. Never the arms. The second sword is sideways across the chest to intercept the enemy’s cut, then swing about, using the speed of his cut.
Kojime’s Commentary: “…using the speed of his cut.” Ride your blade along the blade of the enemy while he cuts, and you will feel this. His speed can be your speed.
The Third Position
The sword is low and against the left leg. As the opponent strikes, we raise our sword and let his arms fall into its bite while we step aside. The opponent cuts. We step aside.
The Fourth Position
The sword is low and against the right leg. As the opponent strikes, we move as if we are dedicated to the Third Position. He will guard appropriately, and as he does, our wrists bend like water and his head is free from his shoulders while our short sword cuts down on his sword for certainty’s sake. Show one thing, be intent on another. This is the Way.
The Fifth Position
The sword is held behind us and the short sword is before us, resting lightly on our belt and we wait for his motion. If you perform this correctly, you will never need to move. The opponent will never need to move. The opponent will see your stance and he will know that you know the Way. Sometimes victory is won without a single drop of blood.
The Five Enemies
You will know your enemy by his weaknesses. The Vain Enemy can be fooled with humility. The Negligent Enemy can be defeat with detail The Angry Enemy can be drawn off balance. The Exhaustible Enemy tires himself quickly. The Cowardly Enemy defeats himself. Learn this, and you will never be defeated.
Timing and Rhythm
There is a profound difference between timing and rhythm. Many schools teach rhythm. Their techniques are measured like music in beats and tempo.
My school teaches timing. I strike between the moments when my opponent is counting time.
Watch your opponent carefully. If you watch, you will reveal his timing to you. Strike when his timing does not allow him to act. Strike when your opponent believes you cannot. Show him weakness and he will charge. When he charges, that is when you have him.
You too, must learn to count.
You must understand his rhythm.
If he breathes on one, prepares on two and strikes on three, I am striking between one and two.
Kijome’s Commentary: This is the true “secret” of Mirumoto’s technique, and it applies to all things, not just swordsmanship. Study your opponent’s timing. If you know it, you will always in.
Three Alternatives
When you engage the enemy, there are three alternatives.
If he attacks first, kill him.
If you attack first, kill him.
If you attack at once, kill him.
To Know
I do not believe I can win, I know I will.
Kojime’s Commentary: When my father defeated Ujimona, he told me afterward, “He was the better swordsman. His skill and technique were better than mine.” I asked, then how did you win? He told me, “Because I knew I would win, and he did not.” Technique and skill can only carry you so far. There will come a time when they will not carry you at all, and all you have to rely on is your knowledge that you can never be defeated. If there is even a single shadow of doubt in your mind, you will fail, and you will die.
(This is a transcription from the entry within “Way of the Dragon” 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.)
Why this Sword Is Called the Two-Sword School
I have spent many years on the road, and I have fought forty-seven duels, and I have never lost. This is because I employ a technique that has no anchors to tradition. I employ a technique that teaches movement rather than memorization. My school is called niten, for I use both of my swords, not just the katana. Those who ask why do not understand my thinking. They will attempt to build a house with nails but no hammer…
Stance
Your stance should never change, not from peace or time of war. Natural, natural, natural! The way you stand with a sword in your hand is the same way you stand with a tea cup in your hand. If you fight as you stand, your stance is natural and you do not need to shift your mind.
Kijome’s commentary: The word Mirumoto uses for “stance” is “kamae.” It means posture and stance, but it has also come to mean school. Often times, a samurai will say to another, “Show me your kamae,” and the other will fall into his stance. From this stance, a perceptive samurai can determine which school his opponent has attended.
“Shift your mind,” Many schools teach that there is a “martial mind” and a “non-martial mind.” Hojatsu’s school did not teach such nonsense. If you train your mind to be always sharp, always ready, while others are “shifting their minds,” you are ready and they are dead.
What You Show
There are two concepts taught by Shinsei: “What you show” and “What you do not show.” Strategy is nothing more than knowing how to deceive. Truth is in the killing.
Practice showing something different than your intentions. Practice as often as you can. Then, when the need arises, you can do it without effort or concentration. When it is time to draw the sword, your mind should be on nothing else. Hold your swords out of position, to show your ignorance or vainglory, and anticipate his half-hearted attack.
Seeing the Surface
Do not be deceived by the surface. Learn to see what you are not meant to see. Watch what your opponent cannot hide from you. Do not look at his eyes. A man can always lie with his eyes. Watch his shoulders, his belly, his breathing. Watch all of these. Keep a broad mind. A man can fool you with one, but if your mind is broad, he cannot fool you with all of them. You must practice this diligently.
Strike From the Spirit
When you strike, strike from the spirit. Thought is slow. Spirit has no time, no hesitation. Nothing can distract the spirit. Leave the mind behind.
Kijome’s Commentary: Mirumoto uses the word ‘ku’ which can mean many, many things. It can mean “spirit,” or “emptiness” or “nothing” (there is a profound difference between “emptiness” and “nothing”). Shinsei explained that the spirit exists “where there is nothing” where “[action] is unclouded by emotion or thought.” He explained that perception (the body) is a veil through which we see the universe. The body is imperfect, so our perception is imperfect. But the spirit, that which is in contact with the Void, is pure, and unclouded by emotion and thought. “Striking from the spirit,” then, would mean striking when perception and emotion are put aside.
Let Him Go By
When the enemy charges us with urgency and strength, let him go by.
A sidestep is quicker than a charge, and puts you in a position where negotiation means nothing.
Knowing
When the spirit is clear, it is in tune with the elements, in perfect accordance. Then, your true perception, you will be with mushin, and your spirit will be one with all the universe, and you will know your opponent’s every desire.
Kijome’s Commentary: “Mushin”means “no-thought,” or “no-mind.” When one is of no—mind, the spirit is free to act without thought. Leave the mind behind, for the mind and body are slow. When a samurai is ‘mushin’he is in touch with all the elements, in tune with the cosmic order, and he knows his enemy better than his enemy knows himself, for his enemy is still hindered by his own perceptions. Some call this “kime” or “kiho”: focusing the ki, or life force.
The River Sword
Be like the water ever flowing with no beginning or ending. One movement leads to another. The river can flow in all directions at once. Make your movements like the river, and you will understand my meaning.
Kijome’s Commentary: “Be like the water.” There are those who believe a single strike solves the duel. This not so. What solves the duel comes before the strike. Observe your opponent and watch him. If you are certain of every stroke, you will never make a mistake, never be caught off-balance and you will always be victorious.
The Virtue of Walking
Many schools teach a “secret stepping technique.” I have no secret technique. It is as I have said, in my school, all movement is natural.
The Five Positions
There are five positions, one for each of the elements. All positions are an opportunity to cut. When you take a position, allow your sword to meet your opponent’s, and use his own momentum as your own. Every moment, there is an opportunity to strike.
The First Position
The sword falls easily at your belly with its tip pointed at your opponent’s throat. The legs are spread comfortably and firmly. Both feet are flat, so you may move when you wish. Never move when you must, only when you wish. The short sword is at your side, resting easily. Your enemy’s confidence will be put asunder by your casual confidence.
The Second Position
The sword is lifted high and falls down upon your opponent. Many think the strength of their arms is what cuts. They are wrong. The sword cuts. The wrists cut. Never the arms. The second sword is sideways across the chest to intercept the enemy’s cut, then swing about, using the speed of his cut.
Kojime’s Commentary: “…using the speed of his cut.” Ride your blade along the blade of the enemy while he cuts, and you will feel this. His speed can be your speed.
The Third Position
The sword is low and against the left leg. As the opponent strikes, we raise our sword and let his arms fall into its bite while we step aside. The opponent cuts. We step aside.
The Fourth Position
The sword is low and against the right leg. As the opponent strikes, we move as if we are dedicated to the Third Position. He will guard appropriately, and as he does, our wrists bend like water and his head is free from his shoulders while our short sword cuts down on his sword for certainty’s sake. Show one thing, be intent on another. This is the Way.
The Fifth Position
The sword is held behind us and the short sword is before us, resting lightly on our belt and we wait for his motion. If you perform this correctly, you will never need to move. The opponent will never need to move. The opponent will see your stance and he will know that you know the Way. Sometimes victory is won without a single drop of blood.
The Five Enemies
You will know your enemy by his weaknesses. The Vain Enemy can be fooled with humility. The Negligent Enemy can be defeat with detail The Angry Enemy can be drawn off balance. The Exhaustible Enemy tires himself quickly. The Cowardly Enemy defeats himself. Learn this, and you will never be defeated.
Timing and Rhythm
There is a profound difference between timing and rhythm. Many schools teach rhythm. Their techniques are measured like music in beats and tempo.
My school teaches timing. I strike between the moments when my opponent is counting time.
Watch your opponent carefully. If you watch, you will reveal his timing to you. Strike when his timing does not allow him to act. Strike when your opponent believes you cannot. Show him weakness and he will charge. When he charges, that is when you have him.
You too, must learn to count.
You must understand his rhythm.
If he breathes on one, prepares on two and strikes on three, I am striking between one and two.
Kijome’s Commentary: This is the true “secret” of Mirumoto’s technique, and it applies to all things, not just swordsmanship. Study your opponent’s timing. If you know it, you will always in.
Three Alternatives
When you engage the enemy, there are three alternatives.
If he attacks first, kill him.
If you attack first, kill him.
If you attack at once, kill him.
To Know
I do not believe I can win, I know I will.
Kojime’s Commentary: When my father defeated Ujimona, he told me afterward, “He was the better swordsman. His skill and technique were better than mine.” I asked, then how did you win? He told me, “Because I knew I would win, and he did not.” Technique and skill can only carry you so far. There will come a time when they will not carry you at all, and all you have to rely on is your knowledge that you can never be defeated. If there is even a single shadow of doubt in your mind, you will fail, and you will die.
(This is a transcription from the entry within “Way of the Dragon” 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.)
