Musashi’s Earth Ring

Description

The Earth Element Ring
Silver or gold handmade ring with the cherry blossom the Sakura on both sides and a Japanese warrior emblem of the -Hanabishi a diamond-shaped flower on top.

Embrace the WAY OF THE STRATEGY and win ANY BATTLE in your life.
Focus on the base-building your own plan, understanding what strategy is and the ways to building your own foundation by mastering your own skills, understanding the importance of every aspect and the use of exact timing.

The inspiration and design of this ring came from The Book of Five Rings “Go Rin No Sho” an ancient book about strategy, war tactics, the philosophy of the Bushi / Samurai warrior, and the mastery of the sword, the kejutsu. It was written by the legendary 17th-century samurai Miyamoto Musashi.This book exceeds the realms of martial arts and is used also for business strategies and the management of conflicts in different fields. You can use the different concepts in this book in your everyday life.
Musashi’s “no-nonsense” approach throughout the text basically focuses on the one thing that’s important-reaching your goal.
The book itself is divided into five different sections that are symbolized by The Five Rings- a concept derived from Buddhism (where for example consciousness or perception being described as “water”- being changed and taking form according to its container or vessel).
Many believe that the strategies in this book developed among the people of Japan, and especially the Japanese leadership, have brought them the same spirit and approach that enabled the competition with the west in the fields of technology and economy.

The Earth Ring or The Earth chapter in the Book of Five Rings portrays what is the strategy, the importance of it, what is a real strategy instead of the false strategy that was taught by different schools who focused on flashing techniques.
Musashi uses the examples of the four ways of the different castes in ancient Japan: the peasant using farming tools, and the timing of the different seasons, the merchant, who uses his skills to gain profit, the noble warrior who master the use of weaponry and the craftsmen who uses his skills for designing and crafting according to a plan.
He uses the metaphor of a carpenter, using a master plan just like the master plan of the way of the strategy. In the same way a skilled carpenter must be accomplished with the architecture of the temples and the houses, choosing the different types of wood, commanding the different workers according to their knowledge skills and ability , so does the military commander must have the knowledge of a master plan , of the skills and limitations of his warriors, and so on.
“It is difficult to realize the true Way just through sword−fencing. Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things. As if it were a straight road mapped out on the ground, the first book is called the Ground Book.”
Timing, as explained by Musashi, 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.

Musashi also stresses out the importance of timing:
“Timing is important in dancing and pipe or string music, for they are in rhythm only if the 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…. ”

The importance of impeccable timing is demonstrated in Musashi’s own story.
At the age of 21 in 1604 Musashi was heading to Japan’s capital, Kyoto.
After years of training and perfecting his two sword technique Musashi felt it was his time to establish a name.
He knew if he fought and defeated the masters of one of the best sword schools, his name will become famous.
The Yoshioka Brothers who ran a famous Dojo in Kyoto, had a feud with Musashi’s family, ever since Musashi’s father, Shinmen Munisai won a battle against their family one generation earlier.
When Musashi challenged them they first dismissed him as a peasant, however, when he declared his father’s name, and they realized who he was, they accepted the challenge.
The elder brother, Seijūrō, was famous for his concentration skills, and since Musashi was aware of his opponent skills, he decided to use a simple and yet effective technique.
He simply came late to the duel. Hours passed and there was no sign of Musashi.Seijuro became angry and lost his concentration. Finally when Musashi showed up
Seijuro was furious, lost his stillness and eventually was struck down by Musashi.