A Winning Insect

From ancient times the Ninja have had a close association with nature.  The Ninja opened their eyes and understanding to what nature had to teach.  With single minded purpose they studied the seasons, stars, plants, animals, and insects.  Takamatsu sensei once observed that the dragonfly is a winning insect and should be the subject of close study.

The dragonfly has long been admired in japanese culture.  The samurai took the motif of the dragonfly as a reminder to be busy about their lord's service just as the dragonfly ceaselessly flutters it's wings, busy about nature's business.  For me, this elegant creature, reminds me to ceaselessly pursue ninpo training.  However, more can be learned from the habits of this jeweled insect.  Interestingly, other insects instinctively dive downward when threatened by predators.  The dragonfly attacks it's prey from underneath.  It's strategy turns the prey's technique against itself and maximizes the dragonfly's efficiency of motion.  

The lesson here is clear.  We must patiently wait with an unmovable spirit (fudo) until the enemy, moved by his instinct and our intention, sacrifices himself.  The enemy must take the path of his own destruction, we must merely be there at the right time to receive it, to shape the space to our advantage.  The essence of this is to take what the opponent gives and make it your own through freedom of martial expression.