"Upon their mastery of the strategy and timing listed in the five books, you will be able to defeat ten men as easily as you could defeat one. When you have reached this point, will it not mean that you are invincible?"
The strategies listed in this discipline or book relate to situations requiring different weapons and tactics, such as indoor weapons. The use of glaive-like naginata, great swords and spears are purely for the field, whereas the longsword and accompanying short-sword can be used in most environments, such as on horseback or in fierce battle. Put selfishness behind you, and make the four oaths of "The Warrior." The four oaths are; 1. Never be late, with respect to the way of the warrior. 2. Be useful to the lord. Be respectful to your family. 3. Get beyond "love" and "grief." 4. Exist for the good of men.
The way of strategy.
"There are four ways men pass through life. As Gentlemen/Warriors. As Farmers. As Artisans. As Merchants.
The way of the Farmer uses agricultural instruments, and see's Springs through to Autumns with an eye on the changes of seasons.
The way of the Merchant. The wine maker obtains their ingredients and puts them to use to make their living. The Merchant is always to live, by taking profit.
The Gentleman warrior, carrying the weaponry of their way. The way of the warrior is to master the virtue of their weapons. If a gentleman dislikes strategy, they will not appreciate the benefit of weaponry, so must he not have a little taste for this?
The way of the Artisan. The way of the carpenter is to become proficient in the use of their tools. First to lay his plans with a true measure, and then preform their work as according to plan. Thus, he passes through life.
These are the four ways of the Gentleman, the Farmer, the Artisan, and the Merchant."
Timing, is the core principle in strategy which is listed in the Earth Book. The idea of timing as explained within the Earth book is that you must be able to adapt your strategy to timing with your skill, in that you must know when to attack and when not to attack. "Timing is important in dancing and pipe or string music, for they are in rhythm only if timing is good. Timing and rhythm are also involved in the military arts, shooting bows and guns, and riding horses. In all skills and abilities there is timing.... There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this. In strategy there are various timing considerations. From the outset you must know the applicable timing and the inapplicable timing, and from among the large and small things and the fast and slow timings find the relevant timing, first seeing the distance timing and the background timing. This is the main thing in strategy. It is especially important to know the background timing, otherwise your strategy will become uncertain."
