What is Musashi's combat stance?

Question

In the book of five rings, Musashi talks about maintaining a combat stance all throughout your life? How does this combat stance look? The first one to get me a video of the combat stance will win 10 points automatically!

Answer 1

Stances are artifical, the best stance is no stance. I believe he was speaking of a state of mind.

Answer 2

Musashi's "Ni To Ryu" or two sword style was based on his experience while fighting someone armed with a chain and sickle. He had drawn both swords, when his opponent made the chain wrap itself around the sword in his right hand thereby trapping it, Musashi had to let go of the sword on his right hand and by attacking with the sword on his left hand, managed to win the fight. If Musashi hadn't already drawn his wakizashi or short companion sword in his left hand, he would not have been able to defend himself and attack as quickly against the sickle and would've been cut down while still trying to draw it from it's scabbard. So he taught that when facing a life to d3ath situation, you must always draw all your weapons and prepare to utilize all of it and not hold back or reserve a weapon for just in case, because this kind of thinking meant you accept the possibility that your first attack will fail. There should be no doubt in your mind that you will win on your first attack, because in a real fight, there is no second chance. This was the combat stance and mindset he was referring to. This, according to Musashi, was the reason why Sasaki Kojiro lost their duel in Ganryu Island, the fact that Kojiro threw away his scabbard before the fight meant that he unconsciously thought he was not gonna need it to sheathe his sword after the fight anymore, since he had accepted the possibility of defeat.

Answer 3

Physical stance is just a snapshot of motion.

Musashi was referring to a mindset...but I would read the story of his experience with his monk friend and a snake. The "stance" may not be good for life.

Answer 4

Miyamoto Musashi lived in the 1500s (if memory serves correctly). If anyone can get a video of that I'd be impressed.

Answer 5

What everyone else has said. His stance he speaks of is how he carried himself everyday.

I dont have my copy handy But I think his wording is along the lines of:

Why should the way I walk everday be any different from how I move in a fight.

Answer 6

no videos

Musashi's most famous combat stance- with two daito raised above his head

"I've had better luck with the Gracie method. It follows Musashi's "Use your everyday stance as your combat stance and your combat stance as your everyday stance". I use it empty handed as well as when I have my duty weapon on. My hands are up guarding the center line forcing the attacker to swing around my guard. My hands can reach out to area block and entrap the attackers arms as I enter or, alternately, my hands come back to my head with my elbows flared out to protect my head as I enter. "

Answer 7

For the advanced practioner there is no form no posture of either defence or attack.He reacts according to the situation without giving any clues by the use of form he must be formless.GICHIN FUNAKOSHI FOUNDER OF SHOTOKAN about a 100 years ago .And everybody thought bruce said it 1st

MUSASHI is saying about the same thing.400 years earlier


Only makes sense unless you are in a sports element you are not going to be moving around in a martial arts stance.

Believe me there is nothing new in martial arts only new to you.

Answer 8

nobody really knows, in a way that added to peoples ability to dramatise and romantasize his life.