4 types of commanders who ruin themselves - Kōyō Gunkan

The Kōyō Gunkan is a military treatise of the Takeda clan, one of the prominent clans of medieval Japan, best known for the military exploits of the prodigious general Takeda Shingen. This book was completed by Obata Kagenori, a vassal of the Takeda clan, and it records in detail historical battles of the Takeda, military strategy, army organization, and other aspects pertaining to the bushido and the proper comportment of a samurai. Inside there is a section about the 4 types of commanders that bring ruin to their country and clan, which I summarized below:

The foolish commander. This is the selfish ruler who day in and day out indulges in pleasures and festivities, like trips, moon-viewing parties, hanami, and any other eccentricities that catch his fancy. He devotes himself solely to entertainment, and even though he may take up martial arts on a whim, he can't seriously practice them because his heart always drifts to one thing or another. Many flatterers gather around such a lord, while those willing to remonstrate with him grow fewer. If he were wise, he would know his abilities and recognize flattery when praised for something he isn't good at, but he gets carried away by compliments and is oblivious to right and wrong. This type of commander attracts many sycophants, while good men leave from his employ. The retainers who advance in position thanks to flattery speak ill of good retainers and spread lies to boast of their achievements, even though they haven't achieved anything by 30 or 40. The most representative example given for such a general is the son of Imagawa Yoshimoto, Ujizane. Instead of heeding the council that had served his family for successive generations, he only listened to and relied on a man named Miura Uemon and his connections, bringing the wrath of the Mikawa samurai upon his family.

The too clever general. He is prone to fits of pride or depression. Such a lord is thrifty with paying his retainers, who have to resort to taxing the peasants for their livelihood. Being confident in his cleverness, he doesn't listen to advice, or when hearing the opinions of someone knowledgeable about things, he nods approvingly, pretending to understand. If victorious in battle, he takes all the credit, ignoring the contribution of others. If there are capable men among his chief retainers, he looks at them with suspicion. A good general would acknowledge the achievements of his men and would praise them accordingly, and by doing so his men would grow braver and more loyal. The example given for this type of general is Takeda Shingen's heir, Yoshinobu. At the battle of Kawanakajima, he openly criticized his father's strategy, eventually rebelling against him, and being forced to commit seppuku.

The cowardly general. Such a lord is suspicious towards his retainers, promoting those who flatter him and treating coldly those who would remonstrate with him. He doesn't know the ability of his men, and because he is oblivious to duty, his men seek better employment. He flees from battle and is envious of others, trying to thwart them from success. The example given is of Uesugi Sadamasa of the Oogigayatsu family, who grew suspicious of his retainer Oota Doukan, who proved capable in his assignments. Sadamasa had Doukan assassinated, and because of this, he lost many retainers and became enemies with Uesugi Akisada of the Yamanouchi family. He died when he fell from his horse when crossing a river to attack Akisada.

The overly strong commander. He is confident, quick-witted, eloquent in speech and wise. Because he despises weakness in everything, including words, his retainers can't properly communicate with him, and he takes a liking to those who speak only bold and strong words. Such a lord wants to appear stronger than his predecessors, so he acts in a high and mighty manner. His men fight to the death over any minor trouble, while those who hold their lives dear feign illness so that they can be exempted from military service. Shingen's son, Takeda Katsuyori is given as example. Being the son of such an accomplished general, he wanted to surpass his father. In search of a glorious victory that would propel him forward from his father's shadow, he fought recklessly and was defeated, bringing destruction to his clan.

Takeda Katsuyori

Source(s): 武士道の名著 - 日本人の精神史

Lycurgus - the maker of Sparta

Sparta's discipline and military excellence are well known throughout the world. But the values that have come to be closely associated with the Spartans originated in the laws and constitution attributed to Lycurgus, the founder of the famous Spartan lifestyle. So little is known about him that he may be a legendary figure more than a historical one. However, ancient historians such as Plutarch or Xenophon have investigated lineages and time periods in which to place him.

Lycurgus emerged in a time of chaos and disorder in Sparta. His elder brother who was king, had died and left behind a pregnant wife. Lycurgus acted as king but was ready to serve as a guardian for the rightful heir, should he be a male. But his brother's wife secretly sent him messages that she would abort the baby if he married her. He pretended to accept this plan, but told her that rather than risk an abortion, she should just give birth normally and he would dispose of the child. But when the time came, he sent guards and observers to witness the birth and bring him the child, if it was a boy. And so, when the baby boy was born, Lycurgus presented him to the other citizens as their king, and they named him Charilaus.

The family of the widow sought revenge against Lycurgus, by spreading lies that he wished to steal his nephew's throne. Although the people were devoted to him because of his conduct and high morals, he decided that in order to be clear of any suspicion, he would leave the city until his nephew grew to adulthood and had a son of his own.

Reforms

In his travels, he went to Crete, studying the laws and government there and making note of what was positive in them, so that later they would be adopted into Sparta. Then he went to Asia to compare the luxurious and extravagant lifestyle found in Ionia with the frugal one he had seen in Crete. When the Spartans summoned him back, missing his leadership and guidance, he stated his intention of changing the existing laws with new ones that would improve the order and virtue of the citizens. So he went to the oracle of Delphi and returned with the answer that his constitution would indeed be the most excellent of all. And so, his reforms began. He instituted the 28 Elders in a sort of middle position between the kings and the people, so that neither side would have absolute power. When an Elder died, he was replaced by a man over 60 who was considered the wisest and most excellent of the candidates. The election occurred by having the candidates walk in the assembly in a predetermined order, and shouting to show approval. Nearby, some chosen arbiters were locked in a building where they could only hear the outside, and recorded who had the most and loudest shouting in the order of appearance. The winner was praised and honored by the rest, and offered a meal as a sign of respect. Only inside his mess he was treated as usual, with the exception that he received a second meal, which he then offered to the woman among his female relatives that he esteemed the most, and she was then congratulated by the other women.

He also convinced the citizens to redistribute the land between themselves, so everyone would have an equal share of property, and competition would be in merit, instead of wealth.

One of the most important changes he effected, in order to eliminate greed, was to ban gold and silver currency, replacing it with massive iron coins too heavy and large to be hoarded and with no additional value. Thus luxury was eliminated, because no foreign merchandise or crafts would be exchanged for the unwanted currency that had no value outside Sparta. Further, he sought to eliminate all extravagance and immoderate consumption of food and drink, by creating the system of common messes, where all citizens would gather and eat the same frugal meals. Each member had to contribute a share to the mess every month.

To protect Sparta from negative influences and bad practices, Lycurgus banned foreigners from entering the city and restricted Spartans from travelling abroad. These measures were meant to avoid the exposure to the vices that affected the outside world, such as greed, luxury, self-indulgence or laziness.

Lycurgus was a living embodiment of the values he wanted to instill in Sparta. He led an austere life, was always engaged in some work to develop his character or the betterment of Sparta, and showed compassion even to those who wronged him. There is a story about some disgruntled citizens who attacked him because his laws would eliminate all the advantages of the wealthy. Among them, a youth who struck him in the eye with a stick and blinded him. Instead of running, Lycurgus stood his ground, causing them to feel ashamed of their actions, and so, they gave him the youth, called Alcander, for punishment. But Lycurgus instead took him as his servant, and turned him into a lawful and responsible man.

After establishing his laws and constitution, Lycurgus gathered the assembly and told them that he will consult the oracle at Delphi and inquire if the gods approve of his laws. The Spartans were happy to hear that and encouraged him to go at once, but he first had them swear they will abide by his laws without exception until he returns from Delphi. Having their oath, he went to the oracle and received the answer that his laws are excellent, and Sparta will benefit greatly by adhering to them. He had the message written down and went to Sparta, but decided that he will not return there, so the Spartans would remain under the oath they swore to him. So he chose to commit suicide by starving himself to death, and ensure that his constitution will remain unchanged and endure in the future. He requested that his body would be burnt and his ashes scattered in the sea, so that his remains couldn't be returned to Sparta, and thus release it from the oath of obeying his constitution.

Source(s): On Sparta (Penguin Classics)

The most famous Japanese swordsman - Miyamoto Musashi

Without a doubt, Miyamoto Musashi (1584?-1645) is the most famous of the samurai of Japan. Author of the widely read strategy classic, The Book of Five Rings, and founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū two-sword style, Musashi has an undefeated record of over 60 duels. He also participated in 6 major battles. His legendary military exploits and remarkable insights that he passed on through his book aren't his only notable traits. He led a unique lifestyle, very different from the other samurai of his era, and he showed mastery in the art fields as well, in particular ink painting and calligraphy, even though, as he claimed, he never received instruction in those arts.

It is believed that Musashi learned martial arts from his father, Shinmen Munisai, a master of the Tori-ryū sword style, and also of jūjutsu and the jutte. The relationship with his father was a cold one, and after an incident between the two, he eventually left his home.


First duel
At 13, he won his first duel, against a samurai called Arima Kihei, a practitioner of the  Shinto-ryū swordsmanship style. Even since childhood, it is said that Musashi's stature was much larger than the average height of the Japanese men of that time. Arima Kihei had been searching for opponents, by placing a challenge sign, that Musashi vandalized, and then he fought Kihei and beat him to death.

Musashi also participated in the famous battle of Sekigahara, which finally decided the unification of Japan and the end of the civil strife. However, he was on the losing side, and after the battle, he probably retreated to the mountains to escape the death reserved for battlefield stragglers, and continued his sword training.

Bringing down the Yoshioka school
The Yoshioka school was a famous swordsmanship dojo in Kyoto, run by the Yoshioka brothers, Seijūrō (the eldest) and Denshichirō (younger bother). Both were excellent swordsmen, and Musashi naturally sought to challenge an opponent as strong as Yoshioka Seijūrō. In his duel against Seijūrō, Musashi used a wooden sword and defeated him with a powerful blow, but Seijūrō's disciples saved him and carried him to safety. Unable to withstand the humiliation of being defeated by an unknown country samurai, Seijūrō later abandoned the sword to become a Buddhist priest.

 To redeem the honor of the Yoshioka, Denshichirō challenged Musashi, but he was killed in the duel. After this, the disciples of the Yoshioka school plotted revenge against Musashi, and used Yoshioka Matashichiro, the 12 year old son of Seijūrō, as a lure, to bring Musashi to a third duel, at the Ichijoji temple, on the outskirts of Kyoto. Their plan was to assassinate Musashi, having assembled more than 70 men to wait in ambush for him. But he had arrived earlier and noticed their intentions, so it was them who were taken by surprise when Musashi suddenly jumped among them, killed Matashichiro, and then used the advantage of the terrain and his two sword style to cut them down, keeping them confused and leading them where they would be at a disadvantage. Few escaped with their lives, and this crushing defeat signaled the end for the Yoshioka school of swordsmanship.

The spear wielding monks of Hōzōin
After finishing with the Yoshioka, Musashi went to Nara and fought against the fabled spear technique of the Hōzōin monks, emerging victorious once again. 

Facing the kusarigama master Shishido Baiken
Around 1607, Musashi faced a skilled wielder of the chain and sickle, Shishido Baiken, whose disciples also witnessed the duel. When Musashi killed Baiken, the disciples attacked him, but were quickly put to flight by Musashi's two-sword style.

The duels against Musō Gonnosuke
Musō Gonnosuke was another wandering swordsman, an arrogant samurai who reputedly wore an embroidery on his clothing that proclaimed him the "greatest martial artist in the realm". He came to Musashi and challenged him to a duel, which Musashi won with a single blow of a wooden stick. Gonnosuke was humiliated and he retreated to the mountains to meditate on his defeat. He eventually developed the Shindō Musō-ryū style of wielding the staff (jo), and fought another duel against Musashi, which ended in a draw (the only one in all of Musashi's duels).

Sasaki Kojirō - the Demon of the Western Provinces
The strongest opponent that Musashi faced in his most famous duel was Sasaki Kojirō. He wielded a very long sword, known as the Drying Pole, and had developed a lightning-fast technique called tsubamegaeshi (swallow reverse cut, inspired from the movements of a flying swallow). Their duel happened on a small island which is now known as Ganryū-jima. Musashi arrived late to the duel and holding a wooden sword (that he carved from an oar, according to some sources). Enraged by Musashi's attitude, Kojirō supposedly threw his scabbard in the sea, prompting Musashi's famous words "You’ve lost, Kojirō. Would the winner throw away his scabbard?"
They exchanged blows and Kojirō nearly managed to cut Musashi, but it was him who was struck and killed. This marked the end of the duels where Musashi killed his opponents.

Musashi preferred the wandering lifestyle of a ronin, instead of the more traditional practice of settling down to server a lord or opening a dojo. Nevertheless, he did take disciples and took residence in his later years with the Hosokawa clan in Kumamoto. He frequently retreated to the Reigandō cave, where he wrote the famous strategy treatise, The Book of Five Rings, which explains the teachings of his style. He died in 1645, possibly from stomach cancer.

Musashi's pragmatic teachings and nonconformist lifestyle set him apart from other master swordsmen of his era.  His legacy continues to this day, in the form of his book and swordsmanship style. 

Source(s): The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi