Photos: Gianpiero Mendini<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs Miyamoto Musashi approached the age of 60, he retired and devoted himself to the study of literature and other arts and disciplines, such as painting and calligraphy. In 1640, invited by the feudal lord Hosokawa Tadatoshi, he went to Kumamoto, where he spent part of the last years of his life. When he retired to Reigando, he dedicated himself to meditation and writing,<\/strong> in particular of his famous work The Book of Five Rings<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe path that leads to Reigando is shrouded in moss. Photo: Gianpiero Mendini<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nShortly after concluding the book, he died of disease around the age of 62 (an advanced age, considering the average life expectancy back then). There are several legends about him, and his figure inspired several works and characters in contemporary culture, from movies to manga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studying Miyamoto Musashi\u2019s Book of Five Rings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The Book of Five Rings<\/em> (\u4e94\u8f2a\u66f8, Gorin no Sho<\/em>) is a classic among essays on military strategy<\/strong> and summarizes Miyamoto\u2019s lifelong knowledge. It is also known as The Book of Five Elements<\/em>, as it is divided into five chapters corresponding to the elements<\/strong> that constitute the universe according to the author. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Book of Earth<\/em> discusses military art and the figure of the samurai. The Book of Water<\/em> focuses on the attitude of mind and body in battle, stating that they should be as flexible as water when fighting the enemy. The Book of Fire<\/em> starts with the idea that even a small flame can start a fire, explaining how this concept can be applied in battle. In The Book of Wind<\/em>, the element “wind” stands for “style” and the chapter analyzes the different schools of swordsmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe last one is The Book of Void<\/em>, a very short and purely philosophical epilogue. The void is the non-existent and the unknowable. It represents extreme freedom. Only by knowing the existing, can you know the non-existent.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis modern inscription explains, among other things, how Miyamoto Musashi began to write The Book of Five Rings <\/em>inside the cave in 1643. Photo: Gianpiero Mendini<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\u201cExamine, invent, discipline\u201d: Miyamoto Musashi repeatedly writes this in the first four volumes of The Book of Five Rings<\/em>. Following his path will lead to a free spirit, with no hesitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHe also writes: “Respect the Buddha and the gods, but do not depend on them”. I wonder if this statement was inspired by his retreat at Unganzenji\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n