Miyamoto Musashi - Go Rin No Sho: A Book Of Five Rings (Other Schools Using Extra-Long Swords) [tekst, tłumaczenie i interpretacja piosenki]

Some other schools have a liking for extra−long swords. From the point of view of my strategy these must
been seen as weak schools. This is because they do not appreciate the principle of cutting the enemy by any
means. Their preference is for the extra−long sword and, relying on the virtue of its length, they think to
defeat the enemy from a distance.
In this world it is said, One inch gives the hand advantage", but these are the idle words of one who does not
know strategy. It shows the inferior strategy of a weak spirit that men should be dependent on the length of
their sword, fighting from a distance without the benefit of strategy.
I expect there is a case for the school in question liking extra−long swords as part of its doctrine, but if we
compare this to real life it is unreasonable. Surely we need not necessarily be defeated if we are using a short
sword, and have no long sword?
It is difficult for these people to cut the enemy when at close quarters because of the length of the long sword.
The blade path is large so the long sword is an encumbrance, and they are at a disadvantage compared to the
man armed with a short companion sword.
From olden times it has been said: Great and small go together.
So do not unconditionally dislike extra−long swords. What I dislike is the inclination towards the long sword.
If we consider large−scale strategy, we can think of large forces in terms of long swords, and small forces as
short swords. Cannot few me give battle against many? There are many instances of few men overcoming
many.
Your strategy is of no account if when called on to fight in a confined space your heart is inclined to the long
sword, or if you are in a house armed only with your companion sword. Besides, some men have not the
strength of others.
In my doctrine, I dislike preconceived, narrow spirit. You must study this well.

THE STRONG LONG SWORD SPIRIT IN OTHER SCHOOLS

You should not speak of strong and weak long swords. If you just
wield the long sword in a strong spirit your cutting will be coarse, and if you use the sword coarsely you will
have difficulty in winning.
If you are concerned with the strength of your sword, you will try to cut unreasonably strongly, and will not
be able to cut at all. It is also bad to try to cut strongly when testing the sword. Whenever you cross swords
with an enemy you must not think of cutting him either strongly or weakly; just think of cutting and killing
him. Be intent solely upon killing the enemy. Do not try to cut strongly and, of course, do not think of cutting
weakly. You should only be concerned with killing the enemy.
If you rely on strength, when you hit the enemy's sword you will inevitably hit too hard. If you do this, your
own sword will be carried along as a result. Thus the saying, The strongest hand wins", has no meaning.
In large−scale strategy, if you have a strong army and are relying on strength to win, but the enemy also has a
strong army, the battle will be fierce. This is the same for both sides.
Without the correct principle the fight cannot be won.
The spirit of my school is to win through the wisdom of strategy, paying no attention to trifles. Study this
well.