I don’t know if there’s been a thread on this, but I just thought it’d be an interesting read for those who haven’t yet read it, particularly because this is a fighting game community. While there are obviously many parts of the book that have nothing to do with fighting games, I feel like many of the underlying principles are the basis for successful play. Being that this is about a book rather than a video game, I thought I’d post it in general, but if it’s posted in the wrong place, please feel free to correct me.
Has anyone else read this or had any thoughts on it?
My particular favorite quotes:
*“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. In each case, you get used to the tool: as you become accustomed to the bow your pull will become stronger, and as you become used to wielding the long sword, you will gain the power of the Way and wield the sword easily.” *
While Musashi does later speak about specific techniques involving two-handed swordplay, I feel it could be a metaphor for considering more than the obvious thing in front of you. For instance, focusing not only on your weapon, but also being conscious of positioning, environment, and strategy. Being mindful and thinking ahead of your opponent is certainly a weapon or “second sword” in itself and requires a great deal of discipline and practice to master.
"You should not have a favorite weapon, or any other exaggerated preference for that matter. To become overly attached to one weapon is as bad as not knowing it sufficiently well. You should not imitate others, but use those weapons which suit you, and which you can handle properly. It is bad for both commanders and troopers to entertain likes and dislikes. Pragmatic thinking is essential. These are things you must learn thoroughly. "
While we generally don’t get a variety of weapons to choose from in a fighting game in the literal sense, each attack and combo can be considered weapons. It is important to have a variety of them mastered at your disposal and favoring one particular one repeatedly, as we all know, really is just as bad if not worse than not knowing it sufficiently. A 10-hit combo is great to know, but if that’s what you’re repeatedly aiming to use, you become predictable and your opponent will punish you for it. I also strongly believe the part about imitating others applies to many lower level players that will select their characters based on tier or because they saw some high level player use them rather than their own comfort and aptitude with the character. What’s important is not what someone else can do with a weapon, but what you can do with it.
*"In combat, you must learn the rhythm of each opponent, and use the rhythms that your opponents don’t expect. **You win by creating formless rhythms out of the rhythm of the Void. *"
This is probably needs the least interpretation, but is no less important. Learn to identify patterns and learn to break patterns. Learn to remain formless yourself without pattern and you will have the distinct advantage in combat.