Customer Reviews

The Samurai Series: The Book of Five Rings, Bushido & Hagakure

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this book last year for myself, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Earlier this year, I decided to pick up another copy for my brother, because Amazon was running a 30% discount. When I found the book description and reviews, I saw that some readers had been uncomfortable with the way these works had been presented. I hadn't really noticed a problem, but I could see how casual readers who are unfamiliar with historical texts might be confused.

So anyway, when my brother's gift arrived, I had a chance to thumb through his copy, and apparently there is a new second edition. The contents are basically the same, but this edition seems slightly more ornate. There were also a few illustrations which had not been in the first edition I had purchased for myself.

So I guess I should add that I am giving the first edition 3 1/2 stars, but I would give the new 2nd edition 4 1/2 stars. Cheers!

Very useful compilation of three masterpieces. Although it isnt the most deep edition in terms of commentary or introductions, it certainly delivers the goods on the main texts. (Serious students of Japanese might prefer a bilingual edition of the individual texts).

I purchased this book for my son, but he asked me to read the third book, "Bushido: The Soul of Japan" after he had finished. I was so enthralled with the beautiful philosophy of Zen. I had been reading books about Taoism, but I'm now avidly grabbing up books about the Zen philosophy. This book does triple duty, with 3 complete books... and now 2 out of the 3 people in our household have read it.

From the formal teaching style of The Book of Five Rings to the almost conversational tone of Bushido and Hagakure, this book presents 3 of the most important classical texts written about the path of the Samurai in Japan. It is invaluable as a reference tool for the student of martial arts, the zen philosophy, ancient swords or classical Japanese texts.

This is one of those books that you not only enjoy reading, but also having it around on your coffee table. This edition is full of rich illustrations depicting legendary Ronin, swords and battle scenes, as well as a clean presentation of each of the 3 included works. Definitely my new favorite addition to my book collection.

A must read for anyone interested in the martial arts. Every year I pick one book that isn't on my summer reading list to keep from going nuts... you know, having to read Virgil and Homer and Faulkner and Updike... So this year, I cheated and picked a book that actually had 3 cool books inside. The Book of Five Rings is a great learning tool for those interested in the martial arts. I also really enjoyed Hagakure. I also really, really enjoyed the illustrations in the book. Now I just need to learn Japanese! :o)

All three of the books contained in this one volume really should be in the collection of anyone interested in Japanese philosophy, religion or martial arts. It is not often that three really good books get bundled together into one volume but to have three classics together is really extraordinary.

The reflections of a master swordsman, the advice of a proper old Samurai and the explanations of a well-traveled scholar fit together synergistically; they add up to much more than the sum of the parts. Although the writers were separated from each other in time, they are united in a coherent view of what constitutes proper conduct and honor. There is enough difference in their styles of expression to illuminate points that might otherwise be obscure and at the same time provide some interesting juxtapositions.

Those who are already familiar with one or more of the books contained in this volume will find that having all three of them together is a real plus. Each, on its own, is an important little book; the three of them together form an important big book.

Don't try to save money on this "set" of three undisputable classics of Samurai culture. This publication looks like it has been downloaded from an Internet books-on-line website, with telltale spelling errors and erroneous symbols typical of a scanned document. I wonder who this obscure press is and why there is no credit to the translators, editors, etc. Smells like a rip-off to me. If you care about quality -- and authenticity -- in what you buy, steer clear of this one. Better to find these volumes issued by a major, reputable press like Kodansha or Shambhala and well-known, CREDITED translators.

Need a few of the included titles for karate class and the value was awesome in comparison to purchasing seperatly.