There's a Japanese term "無手勝流" (Mutekatsu-ryū) which translates to "winning without hands." It means winning without using a strike or a technique, but instead achieving victory through strategy rather than direct confrontation. Some also translate it as winning without wielding weapons.
This principle is famously attributed one of Japan’s most famous warrior: Tsukahara Bokuden (1489 - 1571). Legend has it that while on a ferry, Bokuden was challenged to a duel by a martial arts practitioner. Bokuden strategically allowed his challenger to disembark first, then pushed the boat away with a pole, proclaiming, "To win without fighting, that is Mutekatsu-ryū," before sailing off. If it sounds familiar to some, it is because it was re-enacted by Bruce Lee in the famous movie “Enter The Dragon”.
Bokuden inherited the Kashima Shin-ryū style from his ancestors and the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū from his foster ancestors, and went on founding the Kashima Shintō-ryū. According to his disciples, from the age of 17, Bokuden fought in 19 duels and participated in 37 battles without ever being defeated, except for sustaining a few arrow wounds. He earned a reputation as an undefeated sword saint throughout his life, but at some point he realized that not fighting was a superior stance.
The ethos of "winning without fighting" represents a pinnacle of martial strategy. In combat, even victories often come with substantial sacrifices. In essence, the most efficient victory is one where conflict is avoided altogether, leveraging strategy over physical confrontation. This timeless strategy resonates deeply with modern principles, like seeking a “blue ocean” in business in order to remove yourself from the competition. Most often than none direct competition drains energy and resources, and the “winner” ends up depleted and un ready for the next confrontation. Winning without confrontation is probably the most sustainable strategy.
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