Expect The Unexpected

History points to the legend of the Trojan Horse, 9/11, and the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor as classic examples of being caught off-guard. Guerrilla warfare, ninpo (ninjutsu), and Navy SEAL tactics were developed specifically to surprise the enemy. Heiho (strategy) really means effective combative "cheating". The term "fair fight" is a misnomer. So maintaining surveillance of one's suroundings is key. Nobody wants to be ambushed.

Two of the precepts in the classical Chinese-Okinawan text the Bubishi states, "The eyes must see all ways", and "The ear must listen in all directions". Shotokan karate founder Gichin Funakoshi sustained this level of alertness even when performing a mundane activity such as taking a stroll outside. When rounding the corner of a building, he would make his turn wide and carefully to avoid being taken unawares. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he would be vigilant at all times. Studying a martial art cultivates the practitioner's ability to be cognizant of foreboding danger, and then taking appropriate measures to ensure safety.