Jiu Jitsu Coaches as Cultural Workers
Discover how Freire’s critical pedagogy reshapes jiu-jitsu coaching, why gym culture matters as much as technique, and how coaches can create learning environments that empower students as active participants.
Miyamoto Musashi
Bio
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, c. 1584 – June 13, 1645) was a legendary Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, and artist, best known for his unmatched swordsmanship and his influential work on martial strategy, The Book of Five Rings (五輪書, Go Rin no Sho).
The Book of Five Rings
Written in 1645, shortly before his death, The Book of Five Rings is a treatise on strategy, tactics, and philosophy, structured around five elements:
- Earth – Foundation of strategy and the warrior’s way.
- Water – Adaptability and flexibility.
- Fire – The dynamics of combat.
- Wind – Analysis of other martial arts schools.
- Void – Emptiness, intuition, and the ungraspable aspects of mastery.
It remains a cornerstone of martial philosophy and is studied not only by martial artists but also by business strategists and leaders worldwide.
In his later years, Musashi devoted himself to Zen Buddhism, painting, and calligraphy. His art is noted for its spontaneous yet powerful brushwork, especially ink paintings of birds and figures.
He also expressed deep philosophical insights, emphasizing self-discipline, calm under pressure, and the pursuit of perfection.
Legacy
- Musashi died in 1645 in Kumamoto, reportedly in a cave called Reigandō, where he spent his final days in meditation and writing.
- He has become a cultural icon in Japan and globally, with numerous books, films, and video games inspired by his life and teachings.
"Being like a rock wall" is when a master of martial arts suddenly becomes like a rock wall—inaccessible to anything at all, immovable.
In a battle of martial arts, victory is in knowing the rhythms of your various opponents, in using a rhythm your opponent will be unable to grasp, and in developing a rhythm of emptiness rather than one of wisdom.
Speed in the martial arts is not the True Way. Concerning speed, we say that something is fast or slow depending on whether it misses the rhythm of things.
There is a rhythm to everything, but particularly in the martial arts, if you do not train in its rhythm it is difficult to succeed.