The spirit of Direct Communication is how the true Way of the Ni To Ichi school is received and handed
down.
Oral tradition: Teach your body strategy.
Recorded in the above book is an outline of Ichi school sword−fighting.
To learn how to win with the long sword in strategy, first learn the five approaches and the five attitudes, and
absorb the Way of the long sword naturally in your body. You must understand spirit and timing, handle the
long sword naturally, and move body and legs in harmony with your spirit. Whether beating one man or two,
you will then know values in strategy.
Study the contents of this book, taking one item at a time, and through fighting with enemies you will
gradually come to know the principle of the Way.
Deliberately, with a patient spirit, absorb the virtue of all this, from time to time raising your hand in combat.
Maintain this spirit whenever you cross swords with and enemy.
Step by step walk the thousand−mile road.
Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of
yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men. Next, in order to beat more sk**ful men, train according
to this book, not allowing your heart to be swayed along a side−track. Even if you k** an enemy, if it is not
based on what you have learned it is not the true Way.
If you attain this Way of victory, then you will be able to beat several tens of men. What remains is
sword−fighting ability, which you can attain in battles and duels. −
The Second Year of Shoho, the twentieth day of the fifth month (1645)
Teuro Magonojo
SHINMEN MUSASHI