GORIN NO SHO
The Book of Five Rings
Written in 1645, by Miyamoto Musashi, the renowned swordsman, of the Edo
period, and founder of the Nitten Ichi Ryu. This
book represents the accumulated experiences of a swordsman, who is said
to have participated in over sixty duals. Gorin No Sho was written by Musashi
in his old age in the form of a series of letters to his student Terao
Magonojo. There have been many translations of those letters into book
form in many languages, many people
consider Gorin No Sho to be the quintessential "Manual for Success".
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Nitten Ichi Ryu
Nitten Ichi Ryu (literally, "two heavens as one, school", or more figuratively,
"two sword as one") is characterised by the use of both long sword and
short sword. Musashi used his long sword in his right hand, and the short
in his left. This school of swordsmanship is kept alive by a dedicated
band of students in Kumamoto, who trace the lineage of their school back
to Musashi himself, various other branches of Nitten Ichi Ryu also survive
through out Japan.
The use of two swords in modern Kendo is known as "Nittou Ryu" (two
swords), and is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity after
being out of vouge for many years. The kamae advocated by Musashi is known
as Tadashi Kamae (traditional Kamae), however most modern practioners preffer
to use the long sword in the left hand and the short in the right, this
kamae is known as Gyauku Kamae (reverse kamae).
Tadashi Nittou Kamae | Gyaku Nittou Kamae
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Copyright © 2004 Momiji Trading
Revised August 1, 2003