The Book of Five Rings (Shambhala Library) [Hardcover]

Miyamoto Musashi (Author), Thomas Cleary (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Shambhala Library | Publication Date: June 24, 2003

The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction.

The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction.
The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary?s translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi?s text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.

About the Author

Miyamoto Musashi, who lived in Japan in the 1600s, was an undefeated dueler, a masterless samurai, and an independent teacher. He spent the last decades of his life refining and teaching his military science.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (June 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590300408
• ISBN-13: 978-1590300404
• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 0.7 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bonus Material Not Found in Other Translations, February 29, 2004

By 

Swing King (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Five Rings (Shambhala Library) (Hardcover)

This classic text deals with the delicate art of leadership, and was composed originally in 1643 by the famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi. But this book isn't just for those involved in the martial arts, as the previous reviewer suggests, no far from it; it's for anyone who wants to enjoy the neverending wisdom contained within this text. Thomas Cleary's translation of Miyamoto's masterpiece is comprehensible, with an introduction that presents us readers with the spiritual backdrop of the warrior tradition that is vital for the rest that proceeds. This most up-to-date edition also embraces one more important Japanese text - "The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War" by Yagyu Munenori; here the book highlights insights of Zen and Taoism as they pertain to the way and life of the warrior. Enjoy the book! Cleary is a terrific translator.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Abstraction of conflict, January 9, 2007

By 

S. Steger - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Five Rings (Shambhala Library) (Hardcover)

This book is an abstraction of conflict. Its designed to be the manual for any Samurai wanting to learn Musashi's style of life. Since his life was filled with one on one conflicts, he's a natural person to explain how to confront another skilled opponent and win.

This book is often pushed as a business book in the United States and the entire meaning and motivation for that is lost on almost any business person who reads it. In Japan however, its the manual for business. Its a matter of understanding the underlying meaning instead of the surface. The surface is about hand to hand combat, but every single one of its descriptions can be abstracted into any type of conflict.

Overall, if you're looking for a book that has depth, then this is your book. It's in my list of books that deserve to be chewed and digested.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Text for your life, July 9, 2008

By 

Tradeand5 "tradeand5" (Planet Z) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Book of Five Rings (Shambhala Library) (Hardcover)

This is not just for Japanese. This is not just for Martial Artists. However, you must have a patience, open mind, imagination, pure heart to be able to understand and apply it in your life. This is THE ULTIMATE code of Japanese warrior that are still being applied today's society in Japan, among business men, teachers, Merchants, Students, Martial Artists, or anyone who is looking to live their way at the most highest honor, pride, and success. Sugoi hon da yo~!!! Mina ganbare~!!! OSU!