Design Samurai: Introduction
In the world of the Samurai, Miaymoto Musashi is one of the uncontested leaders in thought and discipline. As designers what can we learn from Mushashi? As in all learning we must start by understanding the past, not only the physical truths of what has happened, but the hows and whys as well. What were the events that lead up to the revolutionary changes, and what limitations did they have that they had to overcome?
The samurai were thought of as the elite of society, when in fact most had no means of support. If we want to be respected and thought of as “elite” we need to conduct ourselves (in business and in life) with morals and integrity. It would be easy to say that the design world is in a state of civil war and chaos, not only with the constant battle between print and interactive, but also with the flux of changing technologies in both arenas.
The century before Mushashi’s birth was ripe with civil war and chaos. Mushashi started on his path to becoming a samurai at age thirteen, and by 16 was wandering the country on his own. For most of his life he lived as a nomad traveling from dojo to dojo. Mushashi was also invested in all aspects of Bushido, the samurai code of conduct, or “The Way of the Warrior.” As Mushashi was nomadic, a designer must be as well, learning how to survive in all disciplines and mediums. He traveled from dojo to dojo in an effort to learn, we too can learn from many sources. Education does not stop with formal schooling.
Mushashi fought many duels using nothing more than a bokken (wooden sword). It is written that on April 14, 1612 he fought Sasaki Kojiro, master of the two-handed sword, again, with nothing but his bokken. After Kojiro made the first advance, Mushashi brought his bokken down onto the masters head, killing him instantly. After this fight, they say that Mushashi never again used real swords in battle, only his wooden sword. He was unbeatable and from that time forward devoted himself to understanding The Way of The Sword. Like Mushashi, we must not fall dependent upon the computer. It is only a tool. The real skill of deisgn comes from within us, it is the ability to create imagery that mixes a strategic focus with un-blound creativity that is appropriate for both client and target market alike. We also learn here that competition is a good thing. Set yourself up and be preapared to win or lose. Learn from the experience. Set your goals high. Attempt to take down the masters.
Mushashi started his own fencing school where he perfected his two-sword technique, using both the katana (long sword) and the wakizashi (short sword) simultaneously. This technique, now know as Ni To Ichi Ryu, is said to have been inspired by his observation of the hand movements of temple drummers. It is a humble and noble practice to pass on the knowledge you have learned to the next generation. Wether starting your own school, teaching at university, or mentoring younger designers, education the next generation is a nobel pursuit. Also, keep an open mind and look everywhere for inspiration. Inspiration is not only drawn from design annuals, but from the world that lives all around you.
As Mushashi writes of himself, it was not until the age of fifty that he achieved enlightened understanding of strategy. This shows us that you are never too old to learn, and that learning is an ever involving process.
In 1634 he retired from society and secluded himself in a cave named Reigando where he composed Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings). Mushashi died in 1645, just a few days after completion of his book.
Kendo, or “The Way of the Sword” is synonymous with nobility. In Kendo, knowledge of military arts is considered the highest form of learnedness. To Study Kendo means to learn the spirit of Shinto and to merge it with Zen principles. The Book of Five Rings by Miaymoto Musashi is considered the bible of Kendo. In further entries I will take a closer look into each of the five books as well as other aspects of the way of the Samurai.