The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi is a timeless classic on the art of strategy, martial arts, and life itself.

Written in the 17th century by the legendary Japanese swordsman, it consists of five rings or scrolls, each focusing on a different aspect of strategy and combat.

Surprisingly, the wisdom contained in Musashi's rings finds a fascinating parallel in the principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS), a revolutionary approach to manufacturing efficiency and quality.

1. The Water Scroll: Strategy in Combat and Lean Manufacturing

In the Water Scroll, Musashi emphasizes the importance of adapting to your opponent's movements and maintaining a fluid, adaptable stance. This resonates with the core principle of TPS, which is flow and is precisely what water does!

Just as a martial artist adjusts their technique based on their opponent's actions, lean manufacturing requires adaptability and a willingness to evolve processes to keep them flowing in response to changing circumstances.

2. The Fire Scroll: Timing and Precision

The Fire Scroll emphasizes timing, precision, and the ability to seize opportunities. This corresponds to the concept of Just-in-Time (JIT) in the Toyota Production System.

JIT manufacturing seeks to produce only what is needed when it is needed, minimizing waste and reducing inventory. Like Musashi's focus on precise timing in combat, JIT ensures that each component is available at the exact moment it's required in the production process.

3. The Wind Scroll: Adaptability and Flexibility

Musashi's Wind Scroll speaks to the importance of adaptability and maneuverability in combat. In the context of the Toyota Production System, this aligns with the principle of autonomation, or Jidoka.

Autonomation refers to the ability of machines to detect abnormalities or defects and stop production, preventing the production of defective products. Just as Musashi encourages adaptability in combat, Jidoka ensures that manufacturing processes can adapt to deviations and errors, maintaining product quality.

4. The Ground Scroll: The Foundation of Strength

The Ground Scroll discusses the importance of a solid foundation in combat. Similarly, in lean manufacturing, a stable foundation is crucial. This corresponds to Heijunka or Level loading.

Level loading is a foundational element to the Toyota Production System. If a company is not fully committed to level loading the factory and it's inputs, they will not be able to work steadily to a takt time and the entire TPS house they are seeking to build will come crashing down.

The discipline required is as simple as this:

Management needs to be ok with leaving work in process inventory in the line at the end of a week, month, quarter, etc.

If the management team is going to seek to work overtime to drive everything out of the line at the end of a financially driven cycle without allowing time for the inputs to catch up, it will require a cold start once the inputs are available where the next product won't come out until after the duration of a full lead-time.

Work in process inventory needs to be thought of as links in a chain.

The links in the chain must only be separated by a takt time, not a lead-time, in order for the chain to have strength.

5. The Emptiness Scroll: The Void and Continuous Improvement

The Emptiness Scroll delves into the concept of emptiness or the void, which represents the ultimate state of readiness and clarity in combat. In the context of the Toyota Production System, this can be related to the principle of Kaizen, which means continuous improvement.

Embracing Kaizen involves creating a culture where every employee is encouraged to seek improvements, large or small, every day.

It's about recognizing that there is always room for improvement, akin to Musashi's understanding of the void as a state of constant readiness and awareness.

In conclusion, Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings offers profound insights into strategy, adaptability, and precision in various aspects of life, including combat.

Remarkably, these timeless principles resonate deeply with the guiding principles of the Toyota Production System.

Whether it's the Flow of Water, the Precision and Timing of Fire, the Adaptability and Flexibility of Wind, the importance of a solid Foundation like the Ground, or the Continuous Improvement philosophy represented by the Emptiness, the parallels are clear.

Both Musashi's ancient wisdom and Toyota's modern manufacturing system emphasize the importance of balance, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Until next week,

Nicole