Customer Reviews

The Book of Five Rings: Miyamoto Musashi

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I am a long time student of the Musashi text and I simply had to reply to the Nguyen review. I am Japanese. I live in Kansai area in Japan and have been a student and teacher of the sword and English most of my life. I travel to America often and have many American friends. I am always curious of how Americans view Japanese culture and often read American translations of Japanese works. I am 38 years old and a life long martial artist.
First of all, the text on the front of the book is exactly as it should be. I don't understand why someone who obviously has no understanding of Kanji, Katakana, and Hiragana and how they enter work would start off his highly critical review with something that shows everyone that he doesn't know anything about the written language.
Secondly, the idea that because someone is a "blackbelt" martial arts instructor "reveals" an avaricious interest in sales speaks more of the person who would infer such things than to every black belt martial arts instructor in the world. I am a black belt martial arts instructor, as many thousands of you are, and I have no intrinsic interest in sales what so ever.
In reading the book I never once got the feeling that Tarver was trying to compare himself to Musashi. In fact he says in the opening that even after a life time of study he is still "amazed at the astounding insight and pure genius of Musashi." I personally am amazed at how someone like Nguyen can make such fantastic leaps in logic and even infer personality traits like vanity when the author clearly said that he was a dedicated student of Musashi.
Anyone who tries to study a famous person like Musashi will find tons of information from scholarly sources that contain a fair amount of speculation. Try it yourself, you will see. Anyone who says that they know exactly how Musashi's early life played out and how it influenced his life long study of the sword is lying or foolish. As far as Confucian, Zen Buddhism, and "other Asian philosophical influences" Musashi's book was for his "blackbelt martial arts" students, not for religious instruction. If one wants to learn about religion there are a lot of other books available. Musashi himself said that he did not use religious ideas in writing his book. As a student and teacher of sword I want a translation that deals with sword in hand not religious ideas. Zen is addressed very thoroughly in the text because Zen is necessary for understanding the sword. As a Buddhist, I am very satisfied with the way Tarver addresses this subject. Any true martial arts student, of any length of time, knows that martial arts do develop "a state of mind that will create a successful warrior capable of victory in any conflict". To argue that there is some magic way that Musashi was trying to do this is foolish. Musashi said, in every translation I have ever read, that enlightenment comes from daily practice of MARTIAL ARTS. Once enlightenment comes, said Musashi, it influences every aspect of the mind and brings about the very frame of mind that can make a student capable of victory in any conflict. Musashi used the example of a mountain and how you are at the foot of the mountain on either side- I find it hard to believe that Nguyen even read this book and can still make such obviously misleading statements. Nguyen's only claim to any expertise is that he is Asian. I am Japanese and I am very proud to be Asian, but I am not a racist. I believe that anyone who studies Musashi with an open mind can understand it. Nguyen seems to think that most Western readers will not be able to. Every thing that is needed to understand the teaching of Musashi is here and available to anyone who have the capacity to absorb it. Maybe this person's complaints come from his own inability to grasp the real teachings of Musashi, the "blackbelt martial arts teacher."
In the book of emptiness Tarver does and excellent job of explaining a very deep concept. Again Nguyen seems to infer that because he is Vietnamese he has some intrinsic understanding of mushin - the philosophy of the empty mind. Stillness is NOT the proper term, empty is. Only a person who has experienced this can understand it and Nugyen obviously has not. He says that he prefers a translation that comes from a purely academic point of view because he only has an academic understanding himself. Those of you who have reached enlightenment in this area will understand and identify with everything Tarver explains here. Those of you who are not will have a more difficult time with it, but if you follow the path you will come to understanding. Don't sell yourself short by settling for a purely academic translation. The experience and lifetime of study Tarver engaged in to understand these principles are clearly evident to others who understand them. I think anyone who would want to "Illustrate" Musashi is clearly dealing with material that is over his head and wants it explained in pictures. I am sure that there were quite a few "perplexed expressions" on the face of such a reader.
I can honestly tell you that Tarver provides the most through, deep, and clearly experienced translations of Musashi's classic work that I have ever read. I do encourage you to read as many different translations as you can, but in the end I am sure you will find this one the best, if not now then after you are capable of understanding it. I did read Wilson's version and it was very good also, but I found it somewhat shallow.

I really love this book! I think that most people who have a hard time understanding Musashi, or look for a translation with detailed explanations of the sword techniques are missing the point of the book. Musashi said that it would be impossible to grasp a full understanding of his style or of strategy by simply reading. He left much of the detail vague because he intended to teach the reader in person after he had time to read and meditate on the text.

Over and over Musashi said that you must train daily in the way of strategy. "Practice, Practice, Practice." Any translation that purports to give the reader more exact instruction is a false translation unless the writer can talk to Musashi from the grave because he didn't include any more that what is here,

The thing to remember about the Book of Five Rings is that it was written for the development of the warrior mind. The spiritual aspect of the sword and combat is the most over looked in modern times and most of the text is dealing with it. The development of the fighting spirit and is what is most important.

I think D. E. Tarver has done an excellent job with this translation. From the way he writes it is easy to tell that he understands where Musashi is coming from and I think he brings out the true lessons like no one else. The Zen aspects of Mushin are clearly explained, well as much so as they can be explained. Musashi often deals with the physical and mental aspects of the sword at the same time and I have often been a little confused by this. Tarver has helped me understand it a lot better.

I think that this is by far the best translation I have ever read. The authors knowledge of the martial arts in without question and his ability to explain deep philosophical ideas is astounding. I became a reader of his after The Art of War.

The book is full of outstanding quotes like, The path to enlightenment is littered with the bodies of the ignorant. Very cool. There are many many more but you will have to buy the book to get them. I have read several other versions but this one stand head and shoulders above them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand Musashi. By the way, if you need illustrations you may be more suited to Yojimbo.

Great book, clearly the best. Buy it and read it over and over.

This book by Miyamoto Musashi is really cool. It tells you about fighting tecniques, how to keep your cool in battle, and alot more. If you're into feudal Japan, bushido, or samurai, then you'll love this book. Also, be sure to check out The Hagakure, (I have the edition translated by D.E. Tarver), and Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. I myself am in the middle of reading Musashi, which I highly reccomend you buy, but don't let the books large size scare you, it's great.

This is an excellent read period, many times books like this get slow & stilted in the translation, this one doesn't, its bottom line format using minimal words for maximum effect really allows the reader to absorb the translators and Musashi's intent, that of sharing Musashi's Wisdom. Very Well Done.

the other two being The Art of War and Prince. It speaks of conditioning your body, mind and spirit, the weapons, the timing, stance, fighting strategies. For instance, one of my favorites is "To Injure the Corners", which says "It is dificult to move strong things by pushing directly, so you should, injure the corners". This is so true, not just on a battlefield..

I loved this book. I have read several versions and this is the only one I will recomend from this point forward. You will learn more about the martial arts and strategy from this book than any other that I have read.

As a teenager that practices kendo(Japanese fencing), I've found this book quite interesting. This book relates to tactics and strategy. The Book of Five Rings is not an easy read, well it is easy to read, but hard to grasp. In order to understand you must concentrate on the matter deeply. If you not the type to ponder, then don't bother.

I recently purchased The Book of 5 Rings, and was expecting something a little different. This short book is a very easy read. However, this book is more on fighting tactics and strategy as opposed to general life teachings. I'm a 1st degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and have been studying for 15 years (I also studied some Jujitsu during that time too). I labeled this book "The Chess Game" for it details various ways to engage your opponent. I can relate to what this book signifies, and I understand the intricate methods being taught here. I think once you reach a certain level in martial arts, one can learn from this book, and apply these tactics effectively. For beginners - it would be difficult to comprehend certain passages, and put them into effect.

There are a few sections that discuss how to be a leader, and teach some general lessons about life (something that everyone can learn). I also purchased The Hagakure by D.E. Tarver, and found this book to be broader, and more interesting. I will be writing a review on that book shortly.

In closing, if you are a dedicated martial artist studying for years, and you have the reached level where you can begin to soak in this material, then I say along with your constant practice, this book can be a useful tool as well. I will read The Book of 5 Rings again in the future to digest it some more. Again, the book is a very nice, easy read that is translated well.

The book written by the samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645 is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders find its discussion of conflict and taking the advantage to be relevant to their work.

The term "Ichi School", which is referred to in the book, Go Rin No Sho, when referring to such books, refers to "Niten No Ichi Ryu", or "Ni Ten Ichi Ryu", which literally translated, means "Two Swords, one heaven".

Throughout the book it is clear: what is primary for Musashi is The Goal, while the means of achieving the goal are secondary. He wrote "According to this Ichi school, you can win with a long weapon, and yet you can also win with a short weapon. In short, the Way of the Ichi school is the spirit of winning, whatever the weapon and whatever its size."

The same is in business: the leaders who are attracted by the goal rather than by embellishments are the true leaders. For example, the dot-com bubble of 2000 was caused by the managers who forgot about the primary goal of the business: net income. Those who were obsessed by their stock prices regarding of massive losses and the lack of revenue became bankrupt. They put attention to the fancy office buildings and furniture rather than to the assets that generate earning. Musashi wrote about it: "Just as a horse must have endurance and no defects, so it is with weapons. Horses should walk strongly, and swords and companion swords should cut strongly. Spears and halberds must stand up to heavy use: bows and guns must be sturdy. Weapons should be hardy rather than decorative".

Musashi also encourages to maintain a balance of your skills throughout your life. This balance could be thought of as Yin and Yang. The balance is to be neither over-familiar with something nor under-familiar. The over-familiarity or over-use of one weapon is not recommended by Musashi, as it would be seen to reveal your spirituality to your enemy, and thus your boisterousness, or over-calm. The over-familiarity makes you stick to a conviction. This is a very important for the business. Take, for example, mr. Warren Buffet. A quality standing out about Mr. Buffett is his ability to morph. If you read his materials from the 1960s, he said very different things than in the 1970s and early-1980s. Early on he was buying dirt-cheap stocks by simple statistical standards and typically smaller stocks (smallcap), later he bought "franchises", then he entered a period of buying great managements of big companies and being a long-term holder, then, amazingly, he was buying smaller things dirt cheap again just as value came back into play as the twenty-first century began. He tactically morphed steadily over the decades. Trying to freeze his tactics from any decade and replicate them in the next few would never have led you to his actual actions. Musashi wrote about that this way: "You should not have a favourite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. You should not copy others, but use weapons which you can handle properly. It is bad for commanders and troops to have likes and dislikes."