Way to Victory: Annotated Book of Five Rings [Hardcover]

Hidy Ochiai (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2001

A vibrant new translation and a guided tour through the history and strategy lessons of the most influential marital arts treatise ever written.

Although it was written over 300 years ago as a treatise on strategy and combat, Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings is heralded today as a classic work that speaks almost equally to the businessperson, the philosopher, and the practitioner of the martial arts. In A Way to Victory, Master Hidy Ochiai--a legend in the martial arts who has devoted much of his life to the teachings of Musashi--provides both a new translation of The Book of Five Rings and annotations that clarify the text's lessons in strategy for a contemporary reader.

Ochiai's new translation represents a seven-year effort not only to render the wisdom and spirit of Musashi's timeless teachings, but to painstakingly maintain the completeness and precision of his original words. Master Ochiai then follows each of the five volumes of the book with an in-depth analysis of that section's themes, offering the work as "a constructive method of overcoming challenges in life, personal or otherwise." A Way to Victory is a testament to the lasting importance of The Book of Five Rings. It is the perfect complement to Musashi's classic work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Known as one of the premier martial art masters in the world, Hidy Ochiai is a living legend among aficionados of martial arts as a competitor, demonstrator, and teacher. He has been inducted twice into the Black Belt Hall of Fame, as "Instructor of the Year," and "Man of the Year," and taught in the anthropology department at SUNY Binghamton for eleven years. Master Ochiai is the author of two other books, The Complete Book of Self-defense and Hidy Ochiai's Self-defense for Kids.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (February 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585670383
• ISBN-13: 978-1585670383
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musashi Revealed, March 16, 2001

By 

Eric Scott (Fort Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Way to Victory: Annotated Book of Five Rings (Hardcover)

I'm a student of Musashi, for 20+ years or more, and so have a keen sense of Musashi, the man. This is the first translation that truly recognizes Musashi as a great philosopher, not merely a great sword fencer.

Over the last 400 years, Musashi's become almost a pasteboard character, and results of his teaching and life can be found in many places in our modern society, (even as Pokemon characterers).

This book at once, reveals the philosophy, and keen mind of Musashi. Really, for the first time I think, a book gives blood and flesh to this great Samurai.

I include this book as mandatory reading in my logic and strategic planning classes. The book is plain enough to inspire my students, and Musashi's wisdom and spirituality transcends the 400 years from his death to now in a contemporary style.

I guess you can tell, this is a must read book, especially if self-realization is your goal.

Eric Scott Ph.D.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not "Victory for Dummies", December 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Way to Victory: Annotated Book of Five Rings (Hardcover)

Hidy Ochiai has spent nearly 60 years as a student and practitioner of the martial arts, nearly as long as student of both Eastern and Western philosophies, particularly Zen. He has become an accomplished writer and calligrapher, emulating the life of the person he seeks to translate. His bona fides in translating this book are unimpeachable.

I found immediate applicability after reading this translation, both from the text itself and Ochiai's insight into the work based on a life trying to follow its teachings, its history and Musashi's philosophies. My initial study took an afternoon, and I hope to glean more as I continue studying this book into the future.

Ochiai's translation focuses on the philosophy behind the lessons, as befits both his and Musashi's tendencies at the time the book was originally written. This is not a how-to book or a victory for dummies knock-off.

People looking for instruction in how to win will be disappointed -- and will probably be disappointed with any given translation. People looking for instruction in how to be a winner will be pleasantly surprised with both the simplicity and the complexities that Musashi and Ochiai deliver.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the way of the samurai, October 27, 2002

By 

G. Shiau "grumpychicagoguy" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Way to Victory: Annotated Book of Five Rings (Hardcover)

This is a translation of The Book of Five Rings. The Book of Five Rings is samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi's treatise on sword combat and strategy. The translator's explanations of the samurai code of feudal Japan and commentary that analyzes the writings in the context of modern times are extremely helpful to the modern reader.

The most important section of the book may be volume 3 (Fire) where Musashi reflects on achieving victory in battle. To achieve victory one must be prepared psychologically and mentally. For him that meant he was prepared to literally face death at any time. There are no "do-overs" in samurai sword fighting.