Bōryaku – Strategy & Deception By Sensei Liam MusiakWithin

Within the Bugei Jūhappan — the 18 recognised skills of the ninja — one that often gets overlooked but is absolutely vital is Bōryaku (Strategy & Deception). Out of these 18 disciplines, I have developed knowledge and skill in 11, and Bōryaku is the one that proves combat is never just physical. It is the art of outmanoeuvring your opponent through planning, tactical thinking, and controlled misdirection.

What is Bōryaku?

Bōryaku is about more than “tricks.” It is the science of thinking ahead, controlling situations, and shaping outcomes. It involves:

• Deception – making an opponent believe you are weaker, slower, or distracted when you’re not.

• Tactical timing – choosing the right moment to strike, retreat, or counter.

• Control of perception – using feints, angles, and body language to influence an opponent’s choices.

• Bigger picture thinking – applying strategy not only in a single fight, but across training, life, and leadership.

  
  

Why It Still Matters Today

In sparring, self-defence, or even daily life, brute strength is rarely enough. Strategy is what allows smaller people to beat larger attackers, or disciplined students to outsmart chaos. Bōryaku reminds us that survival isn’t always about force — it’s about foresight.

In my teaching, I see Bōryaku come alive every time a student learns to feint in sparring, lure an attacker into overcommitting, or control distance without taking unnecessary risks.

Connection to Karate & Self-Defence

This discipline overlaps heavily with my Karate training and self-defence systems. Feints and misdirection appear in kata bunkai. Tactical thinking is built into my drills like the Verbal Gauntlet or the Court of Conflict, where mental control is as important as physical skill. Even criminology connects here — understanding how predators think is itself a form of Bōryaku.

Conclusion – The Mind as a Weapon

Bōryaku proves that the most dangerous weapon you can carry is not your fist or a blade — it is your mind. By applying strategy and deception, you can control situations before they control you.

As one of my 11 skills within the Bugei Jūhappan, Bōryaku keeps me focused on the truth that real combat is as much mental as it is physical. Victory belongs not just to the strongest, but to the smartest.