Yagyū Munenori: Opponent

Yagyū Munenori was samurai and daimyo of the early Edo period. Explore interesting quotes on opponent.

Yagyū Munenori: 20 quotes2 likes

“Conquering evil, not the opponent, is the essence of swordsmanship.”

As quoted in Behold the Second Horseman (2005), by Joseph Lumpkin, p. 44.

“Once a fight has started, if you get involved in thinking about what to do, you will be cut down by your opponent with the very next blow.”

Yagyū Munenori

A Hereditary Book on the Art of War (1632)

“Throwing down your own sword is also an art of war. If you have attained mastery of swordlessness, you will never lack for a sword. The opponent's sword is your sword. This is acting at the vanguard of the moment.”

Yagyū Munenori

As quoted in Soul of the Samurai (2005) by Thomas Cleary, p. 28
Variant translation: If you have attained mastery of swordlessness, you will never be without a sword.

“When you strike a blow, do not let your mind dally on it, not concerning yourself with whether or not it is a telling blow; you should strike again and again, over and over, even four or five times. The thing is not to let your opponent even raise his head.”

Yagyū Munenori

A Hereditary Book on the Art of War (1632)