MUSASHI · Mind & Blade

The second sword: from the upper stance, strike the enemy the instant he strikes. — The Water Book

A great matter of this Way: the ultimate stance is the middle. The middle is the essence of stance. Look at strategy on a large scale and the middle is the general's seat, with the other four stances following the general. — The Water Book

Trying to swing fast throws you off the line, and the sword becomes hard to swing. Swing it calmly, at the pace it swings easily. — The Water Book

In every Way, to know how not to lose to others, and so to protect yourself and your name, is the Way of strategy. — The Earth Book

In sword and hand alike, fixedness is the thing to avoid. Fixed is the dead hand. Unfixed is the living hand. — The Water Book

A great matter of this Way is what is called the Yin-Yang step, and it is essential. The Yin-Yang step means never moving one foot alone. — The Water Book

Hold the long sword with the thumb and forefinger floating, the middle finger neither tight nor loose, the ring finger and little finger tight. Slack in the hand is bad. — The Water Book

Pay attention even to small things. Rule eight of nine, for anyone who wants to learn my strategy. — The Earth Book

Not tense and not slack. Not leaning to one side. Set in the center. — The Water Book