Strategy in Amatai no Shugo-ryū (Part 3)

One might well ask, “What is the difference between strategy and tactics, or between tactics and technique?” Well, they are each distinctively different; yet, they also go hand in hand. Remember, we have defined strategy as a plan of action that is intended to accomplish a specific goal. Tactics can be defined as a procedure, or a set of maneuvers which one engages in to achieve a particular end or goal. So then, strategy refers to one’s general plan of action and one’s tactics are the methods used in order to accomplish the plan.

Methods can be categorized even further into techniques. Techniques, with practice, will instill in one the intuitive response that will enable one to act within a tactical frame of mind and efficiently accomplish their strategic goals through the interaction of the sword.

As mentioned above, strategy, tactics and techniques go hand in hand and thus, often overlap. It is important to keep in mind however, the distinctions between them. Too illustrate, let us consider a reaction to a straight, downward strike with a katana. The basic goal, the strategy, is to cut the opponent without being cut. There are numerous ways to accomplish this particular goal. One tactic that could be employed to achieve this end would be to move to one’s side, then counter strike. A technique which could be utilized to do this would be for one to step forward and to the right with the right foot, whle rasing one’s sword overhead; then pivot back and out of the way with the left foot while executing a downward cut or lateral, decapitating strike.

Strategy then, is something that is accomplished by means of tactics, which in turn, consist of techniques. By being aware of the different facets of each encounter, one allows themselves the opportunity to focus their attention in such a manner that the effectiveness of one’s training is taken full advantage of. By examining an encounter in broad terms, one can determine their goal. By narrowing one’s perspective, one can then determine what tactic(s) best suit the accomplishment of that goal. Having done so, one should then select the techinque0s) which will make up the tactics and then practice them until they are literally done without conscious thought: automatic or intuitive. Practice, however, does not stop there. One needs to practice and practice more until one’s reflexive abilities and knowledge are such that we perform them at the very instant they are needed. One might consider it in this way: one’s goal is reflexive abilities and knowledge that “kick in” automatically the second they are required. The tactic to accomplish this goal is study and practice of the techniques we are taught.

As will be discussed later, the value of all of this extends well beyond the walls of the dojo. If one pursues their goals in this exact manner, one can accomplish great things and have a significant and pleasing upon their character.

Copyright 2009 by Hayato Tokugawa & Shisei-Do Publications. All rights reserved.

Strategy in Amatai no Shugo-ryū (Part I)

Saya no uchi. Saya no uchi no kachi. Victory with the sword still in the scabbard. The words almost shout at the swordsman, exhorts him, to remember that physical combat is always the last resort. No matter how confident one may think they are, how many techniques they may know, a master of strategy will always find a way to win without fighting. This is a message that is not unique to our dojo; rather, it has been passed down through the ages.

Sun Tsu once said:

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence;

Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.

Did not Miyamoto Musashi make this a central point of his Go Rin No Sho, The book of the Five Rings? Did not Yagyū Munenori, founder of the Edo Branch of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū from which Amatai no Shugo-ryu draws so much, preach this very thing time and again?

The path to mastery of Amatai no Shugo-ryū, Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, or any form of Kenjutsu is long indeed. Before anyone can achieve success by virtue of intellect or willpower, they must have a deep understanding of the principles of swordsmanship and of a nature which will allow them to act in keeping with those principles. One can only acquire this through constant, long-term practice and the study of strategy; which includes the old texts by those Musashi and Yagyū Munenori, among others.

Simply put, strategy is a plan of action with the intention of accomplishing a specific objective. A true swordsman practices his art with two very definite objectives in mind:

n To cut the opponent while avoiding being cut.

n To progress in the direction of perfection of character.

To cut the opponent while avoiding being cut is in one sense largely external, because it depends, in part, on technique and strategies which are taught and learned. The second goal, to progress in the direction of perfection of character, is more internal, as it comes from within each of us; yet, it is equally as valid. Both of these objectives are keys to the proper practice of the art of swordsmanship and every subsequent goal is derived from them.