The Book of Five Rings

by Miyamoto Musashi

Overview

"Unveil the Path to Mastery and Triumph with 'The Book of Five Rings'! Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai swordsman, imparts his unparalleled wisdom on strategy, combat, and the art of living in this timeless classic. Embark on a transformative journey as Musashi unveils the five elemental rings – Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void – each representing a facet of life's challenges and opportunities. Through profound insights, Musashi guides you through the intricate dance of conflict and resolution, offering invaluable lessons for mastering not only the martial arts but the art of existence itself. Immerse yourself in the teachings of a true master and uncover the secrets to attaining unparalleled skill and transcendent wisdom. 'The Book of Five Rings' is your gateway to unlocking inner strength, sharpening your strategic mind, and forging an unbreakable spirit. Whether you're a warrior on the battlefield of life or a seeker of enlightenment, Musashi's timeless guidance will empower you to conquer challenges, seize victory, and achieve a profound sense of mastery in all you do."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781998114337
Publisher:	Pomodoro Books
Publication date:	02/05/2024
Sold by:	De Marque
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	73,777
File size:	202 KB

About the Author

Miyamoto Musashi was born around 1584 into a samurai family in Harima province. His mother died soon after his birth, so he was raised by his step-mother and then his uncle, a monk from the Shoreian temple. While staying with his uncle, he was taught Zen Buddhisma and basic reading and writing. He had his first duel at the age of thirteen and went on to have 59 more, claiming never to have lost a single one. He completed his influential book on swordsmanship in May 1645, the year he died.

Victor Harris (1942-2017) was an experienced kendoka, an expert on the Japanese sword (President of the Token Society of Great Britain), and head of the Japanese Department of the British Museum. He translated The Book of Five Rings into English for the first time.

Table of Contents

Foreword by William Scott Wilson
Introduction by William Scott Wilson
The Way of Walking Alone
The Book of Five Rings
The Earth Chapter
The Water Chapter
The Fire Chapter
The Wind Chapter
The Emptiness Chapter
Notes
Bibliography
Crest Motifs

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"On Wall Street, when Musashi talks, people listen." —-Time

Editorial Reviews

On Wall Street, when Musashi talks, people listen.

Time

Written by legendary Japanese swordsman Musashi, this 17th-century exposition of sword-fighting strategy and Zen philosophy has been embraced by many contemporary readers, especially business school students, as a manual on how to succeed in life. There are many English translations, but every one, including this one, suffers from inadequate cultural, literary, and philosophical commentary. Musashi's work should be studied, not simply read, and Cleary's translation lacks commentary; it also makes the prose seems flat and the philosophy simplistic. Yet what makes this new translation worthwhile is the second text, buried deep in the back like an appendix: Yagyu Munenori's The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War . This text, also an exposition on sword fighting and Zen philosophy, is difficult to find in an English translation, and its availability is welcome. Recommended for academic libraries generally.-- Glenn Masuchika, Chaminade Univ. Lib., Honolulu

Library Journal

Here are two Japanese martial arts classics from the seventeenth century, of more than ordinary interest because of their distinguished translation and because of their identification with Zen. Musashi says things like "It is crucial to think of everything as an opportunity to kill," and there's no question his primer on training the would-be warrior's mind and body is, in that respect, as effective as ever. What might interest readers not inclined to bloodlust is Musashi's pared-down philosophy, as exemplified in his nine rules for learning any art. These include "Think of what is right and true," "Understand the harm and benefit in everything," "Become aware of what is not obvious," and the delightful "Do not do anything useless." Following Musashi's last meditation, "The Scroll of Emptiness" (about how, when one masters an art, one separates from it into a state of perfect, contented clarity), is Yagyu's short essay on the art of war. Yagyu, apparently quite a bloody warrior in his youth, in late life worked hard to link martial arts concepts to Zen, and his short essay has a distilled, aphoristic quality. Both writers are marvels of clarity and, oddly, peacefulness.

John Mort

"On Wall Street, when Musashi talks, people listen" -Time Magazine

"Musashi's teachings read like lessons from the latest business management gurus. Who couldn't succeed in business by applying Musahi's insights to conflicts and strategy." -Inc. Magazine

From the Publisher

This Zen classic was written by the seventeenth-century swordsmaster Musashi. His instruction on how to become proficient with the sword explores such topics as rhythm, harmony, knowledge of one’s enemy, and decisiveness. For more than three centuries, it has provided lessons that may be applied in many contexts. This edition includes biographical information and general background that put the author and the work into historical context. Scott Brick assumes the tone of a teacher standing before a group of passionate students. He speaks with authority without being pedantic or condescending. The audio format may not be useful to those who wish to study the material, but it lends itself to using individual chapters as guides to introspection and meditation. J.E.M. 2011 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2011 - AudioFile