Following on from my previous post about Musashi’s Book of Five Rings, and in particular
the quote that if we are to study the sword, then we must study “war,” “weapons,”
and “men,” I want to look at the war
aspect.
Musashi’s insight is equally applicable today as it was in
his. War, weapons, and men cover the entire set of variables in physical
conflict; they are specific terms for what we might call context, tools, and
actors. Like every good play, we need actors and a stage. The stage is the
context against which the story is set and acted out.
Musashi’s context included the medieval Japanese battlefield
– mass ranks of swordsmen, mounted and on foot, and firearms (early firearms),
set against each other in open conflict. The other context was the individual
duel, usually with razor-sharp lengths of steel, and governed (on the whole) by
a certain etiquette. To study the sword, Musashi tells us, we have to
understand the dynamics of battle, and the dynamics and rules of duelling.
Our context is different. If we are military operatives or
law enforcement officers we will have conditions and rules of engagement and
contexts that, perhaps, resemble some of Musashi’s stage. If we are civilians,
things will be different. We will be more likely to face potential muggings,
assaults, ego-fuelled attacks, gratuitous violence, rape and sexual assault,
abduction, home invasion, road rage, and the like. Yet, Musashi’s point holds.
If we are to prepare ourselves effectively as combatives practitioners, then we
must understand these contexts; we must understand the dynamics.
Our training – both in class and via our own research –
should include learning about the different types of violence – broadly: social
violence, and predatory violence, and how and where these are perpetrated. Social
violence – pecking order violence or the “monkey dance” – is usually
ego-fuelled and for dominance; the kind of thing that takes place in the bar or
in the street after too much alcohol. It has a very different dynamic to
predatory violence such as robbery or rape.
Do you know the warning signs, the things to look for, the
things and places to avoid in each of these situations? Do you know what
predators look for when they select a victim? Do you know how those who would
do us violence interview their victims to see if they are suitable? Do you know
how to give yourself the best chance of extracting yourself from such
situations should you find yourself in one?
Understanding the method of operations of the criminally
minded is crucial to being combatively efficient and safe. Not being in the
wrong place – being judicious about the places we choose to go – is a good
start. Watching and being aware, not in code white and switched off.
Understanding what criminals want and how they will go about getting it – the tactics
and deceptions they will use – means that we are forewarned; and we all know
what that means. Predators give “tells” just like poker players. Sideways
glances to check for witnesses. Distractions to draw the attention. Nervous
ticks and touching the face (no bare-faced lies). Dialogue and deception to
occupy our brains and get close. Invasion of our personal space.
If your training does not include learning this, practicing
this, and reacting to it, then, sorry, but you’re not training properly.
One way to up your skills is to play the predator in your
mind. Take a couple of hours, go to town, sit yourself in a coffee shop or
wander about, and look for people who would be potential victims to muggers, scammers,
and rapists. Why would they be selected? Try to adopt the predatory mindset.
Who wouldn’t you select? Why? How would you get close to them? Where would you
put yourself and how would you approach?
Do this, along with reading as much as you can about and by
criminals, and you will have some idea about their MO, and stand a better
chance of spotting it before it happens. Train it in simulations and scenarios
so you get effective responses.
Remember, violence doesn’t take place in a sterile empty
room with no one around except compliant, quiet attackers who announce their
presence and intentions in advance. Your training should reflect this. It
should be down and dirty. It should build in criminal attack patterns and
dialogue as standard. It should be practiced in places that are dark, cramped,
dirty, uneven, and unfavourable to you. If not, you’ll be surprised when it
happens for real. Take my word on that.
D
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