Blood & Ink: Monday

musashi’s twofold way / man vs. civilization / arc of history

Thank you so much for being here, right at the beginning, it means a lot to me. I’m excited about this. I hope these are both provocative and useful, and they are as much notes to myself as notes to the world. Let’s begin. 🥋

“It is said that the warrior's way is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways.”

– Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

When the pen fails, the sword upholds the boundary. Where the sword cannot reach, the pen arrives.

Each instrument channels his power, extending his ability beyond himself.

Blood spills. Ink drips.

The arc of history bends forward.

It is easy to forget that civilization is a social layer on top of violence.

You take perverse pride in your inability to be violent; whether through argumentation or combat. You believe you have ‘evolved beyond’ it.

You have only abdicated the responsibility. 

• Who do you call when someone threatens you? Police.

• Who do you rely on against foreign forces? Military.

• How do you settle a dispute against your neighbour? State.

They wield violence on your behalf. 

You have not removed an ounce of violence from the equation, nor evolved beyond it. You shelter yourself from its deliverance while removing yourself from its consequences.

Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.

The ability to protect yourself and others is the foundation of sovereignty.

In rejecting the Warrior, you’ve abandoned your agency. 

Together—brothers and sisters—we reclaim the Warrior’s Way. That of the Pen, and the Sword. 

Of blood, and ink.

Welcome,
Eric Brown.