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The Book of Five Rings, A Classic Text on the Japanese Way of the Sword (Paperback)
by amoto Musashi , Thomas Cleary (Translator)
| Category:
Strategy, Leadership, Warrior philosophy, Art of winning |
| Market price: ¥ 98.00
MSL price:
¥ 88.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
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Author: amoto Musashi , Thomas Cleary (Translator)
Publisher: Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Pub. in: January, 2005
ISBN: 1590302486
Pages: 192
Measurements: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA00129
Other information: New Ed edition
ISBN-13: 978-1590302484
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- MSL Picks -
Born into strife, Miyamoto Musashi ultimately lived to see his country achieve peace; but he never forgot two essential elements of the ancient samurai tradition: keep calm in the midst of chaos, and remember the possibility of disorder in times of order. Devoted to the practical art of war, his strategic classic The Book of Five Rings focuses attention on the psychology and physics of assault. Whether you are looking to gain the advantage in the practice of martial arts or on the corporate battlefield, this book counsels wisely in the ways of confrontation, stressing important subtleties such as rhythm, state of mind, physical bearing, and eye contact, as well as perseverance, self-knowledge, and inner calm. Thomas Cleary's uncluttered translation brings Musashi's work into sharp, accessible focus, as does the inclusion in the same volume of another important Japanese classic, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War, highlighting Taoist and Zen aspects of the warrior tradition.
Since the publication of its first English translation in 1974, The Book of Five Rings has become an underground classic in the American business community, where it is studied as a text on Japanese management techniques. Here are timeless principles of craft, skill, timing, and spirit from a great samurai warrior - plus background on Zen, Bushido, Heiho, and Musashi's life. Two color.
For almost 400 years The Book of Five Rings has been the all time classic on Strategy, Leadership, and Warrior philosophy.
Target readers:
Business and government leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, professionals, MBAs, and aspiring graduates.
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The Art of War, Special Edition (Paperback)
by Sun Tzu , Lionel Giles (translator)
Out of the 10 available editions of this strategy classic is our recommendation of this special edition. With a detailed introduction & commentary on the history of Chinese warfare & military thought as well as the Chinese text for comparison, this edition easily stands out in value. |
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From Publisher
Setting down his thoughts on swordplay, on winning, and on spirituality, legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi intended this modest work as a guide for his immediate disciples and future generations of samurai. He had little idea he was penning a masterpiece that would be eagerly devoured by people in all walks of life centuries after his death.
Along with The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings has long been regarded as an invaluable treatise on the strategy of winning. Musashi's timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant was addressed to the readers of earlier times on the battlefield, and now serves the modern reader in the battle of life.
In this new rendering by the translator of Hagakure and The Unfettered Mind, William Scott Wilson adheres rigorously to the seventeenth-century Japanese text and clarifies points of ambiguity in earlier translations. In addition, he offers an extensive introduction and a translation of Musashi's rarely published The Way of Walking Alone. This gift-book edition also features original art by Musashi himself as well as new calligraphy by Japanese artist Shiro Tsujimura.
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Time (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
On Wall Street, when Musashi talks, people listen. |
Library Journal (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
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. |
John Mort (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
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. |
Eric Sanderman (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-27 00:00>
I have read several copies of Musashi over the years, and always felt I missed something. After reading Tarver’s Art of War in Plain English, and really enjoying it, I decided to try his version of the Book of Five Rings. Incredible. This writer is the best I have ever read at taking complex issues and philosophical ideas and explaining them in easy to understand terms. If you like Musashi you simply must read this book. |
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