What's going on all? I usually don't start threads, let alone pointless ones, however I've been re-reading the Book of 5 Rings latley and noticed quite a few similarities in mantis. First the idea of striking first. The book sites on more than one occasion that is is bad to wait for the enemy to iniate an attach. This reminds me of mantis using a feeling strike (back fist, or a hook, or even a straight punch) to set up a counter to the initial counter. What Musashi calls Tut Tut, or thrust up. When the opponent decides to attack, and I decide to attack I counter his counter as I yell thrust up, basically re attacking from underneath, then from above or vice versa. Not to mention the 5 approches are all about being able to quickly and naturally re-attack, when the first attack is stoped. I like this, because you get used to being suprised, or not suprised when your intitial movement doesn't work. The second similarity is in holding the long sword. Musashi says to hold the long sword in one hand with the fore finger and thumb loose, and the middle finger neither tight or loose, with the last two fingers tight (it's bad to have play in your hands. This reminds me alot of mantis' grabbing, where we control the arm, by using the last two fingers, to quickly release, and re-attack. Not to mention he also reminds the reader, at any time make a fist with the left hand, and punch the person in the face, or strike their chest with your left shoulder. The biggest similarity I found though was in the foot work. In 8 step I was told that the forms should be played like "walking through the park". In his book he says the footwork should be like every day walking, allways controled, and never favoring one foot over the other. Moving as if walking makes fighting on uneven ground, or wet ground or any other type of ground alot easier, than trying to beat the opponent with speed alone. In short the after studying 8 step for a little while, then re-reading this book, the principles are alot clearer. Just wondering if anyone else knows of any other books that also relate to their Kung fu, or Wu-shu?
Sorry to get off topic, but I think everybody serious about strategy or general war arts should read this book, you can find free versions online if you look alittle.
Later, thanks for your time.