The Hagakure: Yamamoto Tsunetomo (Paperback)

by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (Author), D. E. Tarver (Author)
Key Phrases: certain warrior, The Hagakure, Lord Naoshige, Lord Katsushige (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Everything about what it means to be a warrior can be found within the pages of this book, and it s just as relevant today as the day it was written. Words like sacrifice, integrity, and honor are more then just words to us; they are a mantra that sends shivers down our spines. It is this spirit of heart and calling that makes some rush to enlist during times of trouble while others burn draft cards and run for the border.

About the Author
D. E. Tarver holds black belts ranging from 2nd to 7th degree in seven different styles of Japanese and Filipino martial arts. He has taught martial arts and strategy for twenty years. Since his honorable discharge from the Marines, he has spent time in Japan and the United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc (November 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595253628
• ISBN-13: 978-0595253623
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #82,182 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Translation form the heart and spirit., January 31, 2003

By	Takashi (Kyoto, Japan) - See all my reviews

I have been an avid student of The Hagakure most of my life, partly because I love martial arts, but mostly because I love studying perspectives on my heritage. There are several good translations available, but this one seems to better capture the true spirit of the Samurai. In some of the translations I've read it is obvious that the writer knew how to translate the words, but had little or no understanding of the concepts and philosophies that they were teaching.

A very famous line from one translation says. "The Way of the Samurai is found in death." This is an accurate word for word translation but it misses the real intent of Master Tsunetomo. What this says is that the highest achievement of the warrior was to die, but in reality what the samurai wanted was to kill many opponents and if they had to die to do so in the most brave and admirable way possible. Tarver's translation says, "The way of the warrior is fulfilled in death." This subtle difference seems to better capture the idea of duty, bravery, and loyalty culminating in a final end of the warrior rather than the warrior seeking death from the start.

That is just one of many examples but it clearly points out the difference one word can make. Found vs. Fulfilled.

I really enjoyed this book and I am sure any true student of the Samurai ways will also.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, May 28, 2006

By	JZwart "-JZwart" (Hamilton, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This translation of the book is the only one I will ever need. Sensai Tarver is a man of skill and kindness. He and I have shared correspondance and he has pointed me in the direction of finding a Ken Jitsu teacher. If you stumble apon his website MAKE SURE to take a moment and leave him a kind comment it will make him very pleased to see is work is appreciated!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Life of the Samurai, June 12, 2007

By	John Fitzpatrick "jfitzpa277" (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of the better translations of a seminal work in bushido.