16 - The Politician's Art

May 15, 2026

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Kosho Chronicles Issue #16

To the Reader

Most martial artists train to be soldiers. They drill techniques. They condition their bodies. They prepare for the moment of contact. There is nothing wrong with that. But in Kosho Ryu, the soldier is the last resort. Not the first. And if you find yourself acting as the soldier, something has already gone wrong.

The Teaching

Superiority in dealing with conflict first lies with the politician, second with the general, and last with the soldier.

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18 - There is No Such Thing as Perfection

Kosho Chronicles Issue #18 To the Reader I push my students hard. I want them to become so much better than what I could conceive them being. I push them constantly toward perfection. And I do that for a selfish reason. If they get better, I have to get better. That is the only way I can stay ahead. And the only reason I can do that is because I constantly know I am at fault. This post is fo...

17 - Principled Adaptation

Kosho Chronicles Issue #17 To the Reader I had a student once who was a top tournament fighter. One of the best. Then he started losing. He came to me and asked why. I told him the truth. Because everybody knows what you are going to do. He asked what he should do about it. I said, change everything. Change your base. Change your stance. Change your favorite side. He told me it felt awkward. I ...

15 - Natural Law

Kosho Chronicles Issue #15 To the Reader Every time I sat down with Mitose's manuscript, I hit the same wall. He was writing about God, about Christ, about Buddha, about religion. I am a martial artist. I wanted combat strategy. I wanted the keys to the art. Instead, I got philosophy wrapped in theology wrapped in a riddle. Then he explained what he meant by God, and the entire book opened up. ...

16 - The Politician's Art

Kosho Chronicles Issue #16

This post is for paying subscribers only

The Kosho Chronicles

Each month focuses on a single Kosho principle. Once an issue closes, it doesn't return. No fluff. Only original Kosho material.

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