Part 8/15:
While not part of his own school, The Wind delves into the strategies of other schools, emphasizing the importance of knowing various doctrines to better understand and analyze opponents’ methods. Musashi warns against blindly following tradition, noting that many schools tend to focus on superficial or decorative techniques—such as long swords or fixed postures—rather than the underlying principles of victory.
He advocates for an honest appraisal of rival schools’ faults and virtues, emphasizing that true strategy transcends specific techniques and is rooted in insight and adaptability.