Jirinden（65）Advancing includes retreating and retreating is a sign of advance.
「Susumu mono wa sirizoku koto wo fukumi, shirizoku mono wa Susumu koto wi kizasu.」(Heishū Jirinden, Vol.III, Michisuji Sandan）
・Advancing includes retreating and retreating is a sign of advance.
The idea that there are three routes means that, when attacking an opponent, just like you might launch a straightforward attack from the front, advance from behind, or take a roundabout path to approach, there are three such ways to catch the enemy off guard and strike from your position of strength. Also, the term ‘three level/methods’ (三つの方法, 三つの方法) refers to the three ways of responding to an opponent’s attack: receiving an attack coming from a higher path, preparing to meet one coming from a lower path, and intercepting one coming from a flat or level path. In this way, since there are three routes and three levels to a path, this gives rise to strategy and tactics. However, you’re not the only one who knows this—your opponent also has this skill. The place that gives you good footing is unfavorable for the enemy, and they won’t come to that spot. If, by using calculation and tactical maneuvering, you can manipulate the enemy so that, carried away by their momentum, they attack too much or retreat too far into defense and lose their position—while ensuring you yourself are not manipulated—then it can be said you have mastered the three routes.
In the first place, if you lose your position, you’ll end up being swallowed up by something or manipulated. This is because those who pursue money ultimately become controlled by it, and those who drink alcohol quickly end up drowning in it. In order for someone who uses something not to end up being used by it, they must understand Rindō (臨道,Rindō).To begin with, Rindō means that advancing includes(臨,fuku) retreating and retreating is a sign (兆, Kiza) of advance.
“臨道, Rindō: ‘Rin’ means to look down from a high place to a low place — the way in which the emperor watches over and governs the people.
(Presented by Yuji Wada, Costantino Brandozzi, Constantin Von Richter, Keith Tang)
