Musashi’s Water Ring

Description

The Water Element Ring
A ring with an Ancient Japanese symbol of a fish and an ancient warrior emblem of an “HO” a Japanese sail on top

Embrace the WAY OF THE STRATEGY and win ANY BATTLE in your life.Find flexibility, the ability to change your methods, techniques, and options according to the situation, just like the nature of water which changes according to its container, seeking the best and most efficient pattern.

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 Water Book
In The Book of Water Musashi writes about technique, the use of the sword in battle, and the importance of spirituality, perception in the way Zen and Buddhist teachings refer to consciousness. The ideas in this section are heavily influenced by Taoism.

The metaphor of water stresses out the importance of flexibility, the ability to change your methods, techniques, and options according to the situation, just like the nature of water which changes according to its container, seeking the best and most efficient pattern.
This flexibility is important in the way one avoids using only one technique, which, according to Musashi is worse than having a bad technique. Relying on one technique or one path in life is a dangerous way that will bring to one’s demise.

As a Buddhist Musashi emphasize the importance of calmness, tranquility and spiritual balance. This balance is derived from the Taoist concept of the Yin Yang, the two opposing forces that balance each other, and while doing so create reality, or the universe itself.
As for flexibility, and the ability to shift and change like water-one can realize it’s importance in the famous tale about the sturdy and solid oak tree which the wind shatters, while the humble reed on the edge of the pond survives and thrives.

Most of us believe that the lesson in this tale is that size and physical strength are not a guarantee for survival, but in the eye of the Buddhist approach, the reed survives because it becomes integrated with the wind as one.