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Miyamoto Musashi

William Scott Wilson

The Book of Five Rings Hardcover – May 15, 2012

by Miyamoto Musashi (Author), Shiro Tsujimura (Illustrator), William Scott Wilson (Translator)

1,624 ratings

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When the undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi retreated to a cave in 1643 and wrote The Book of Five Rings, a manifesto on swordsmanship, strategy, and winning for his students and generations of samurai to come, he created one of the most perceptive and incisive texts on strategic thinking ever to come from Asia.

Musashi gives timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant that will resonate with both martial artists and everyone else interested in skillfully dealing with conflict. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was a mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess—and it is this path to mastery that is the core teaching in The Book of Five Rings.

William Scott Wilson’s translation is faithful to the original seventeenth-century Japanese text while being wonderfully clear and readable. His scholarship and insight into the deep meaning of this classic are evident in his introduction and notes to the text. This edition also includes a translation of one of Musashi’s earlier writings, “The Way of Walking Alone,” and calligraphy by Japanese artist Shiro Tsujimura.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Embraced by many contemporary readers as a manual on how to succeed in life."— Library Journal

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

Publisher : Shambhala; Bilingual edition (May 15, 2012)
Language : English
Hardcover : 160 pages
ISBN-10 : 1590309847
ISBN-13 : 978-1590309841
Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.72 x 7.8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #2 in Buddhist History (Books)
- #8 in Military Strategy History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
1,624 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		82%
4 star		11%
3 star		5%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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SlumericanBorn

Difficult, but worth it.

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2019

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This book was difficult to understand as I'm reading for a particular purpose not directly related to combat. I'm certain that someone training directly towards these disciplines would have a much easier time reading. With that being said, I still took a major wealth of knowledge out of this and am able to apply so many principles from this book into my daily life from the way I walk to the way I converse with the people around me.
Exactly what i was hoping for!

25 people found this helpful

Helpful

Coldbourne

Great translation of an excellent book in a small but ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2015

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This Edition:
Great translation of an excellent book in a small but well constructed hardback. The addition of various calligraphy and Musashi's The Way of Walking Alone are a welcomed treat that adds further depth to an already remarkable book.

This book:
The Go Rin No Sho (a.k.a. The Book of Five Rings) is the definitive book on Samurai Philosophy by the archetype of The Wandering Samurai himself, Miyamoto Musashi. Throughout his remarkable life, Musashi developed a philosophy and a style all his own. As stated early in the text, his philosophy is not Budhism, nor Taoism nor any other existing philosophy. It is rather a hard won and practical philosophy, almost a code of conduct and a way of viewing the world that is not bound by esoteric nor abstract thinking. Instead, his writing is about a gradual awakening and clarity of thought that his many and varied experiences led him to. Despite being written by a rampant, unwashed and bewilderingly intelligent swordsman with an odd smattering of formal education, his ability to elucidate the intricacies of strategy and apply it to all aspects of life are staggering and surprisingly relevant even now. You do not have to be a fan of Japan, Samurai, the Edo period, eastern philosophy or any other genre you may want to file this book under in order to appreciate it. It is relatively short, easy to read, to the point and like the man himself, deadly accurate. Enjoy the genius that is The Book of Five Rings.

76 people found this helpful

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Maddie

Loved it

Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

Interesting book. Parts of it were hard for me to follow. Such as the parts on types of attacks and parrying... but I had to read everything because even In those paragraphs such as stabbing the heart there would be a lesson in life. I got a great picture in my head while reading this of what was being said. If you open your mind and really read it. You caN learn something from each paragraph if not each sentence

25 people found this helpful

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mgmgilbert

Wish there were pictures of Musashi’s Art work!

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2020

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Simplistic, without pictures, without vast examples of his calligraphy, without a grasp of the times — in general a very dry translation (without grasp).
Updated Review:
BUT Mr. Wilson is an honorable man, and that does not have a price! In the Preface he does a good job explaining a bit of Musashi’s life. I just wish (since too many of us Martial Artist are into different forms of arts) that he would have included photos of Musashi’s art as well as photos of the paintings he describes to give us a broader insight.
Mr. Wilson, however, from the get-go shows true leadership in his translation. He wrote after having thanked all those who gave him a hand in the materialization of just book, “Any and all mistakes are my own.” Think about it: He does not say IF any and whatever MISTAKE are my own. He knows that in writing a book (a lot more into translating it) mistakes/misunderstandings are part of the unavoidable because of our human condition. Bravo Mr. Wilson! Bravo!❤️

P.S. Amazon messes up in sending me hardcover, but they helped me with the situation later. Thank you!❤️

4 people found this helpful

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Alvar

Birthday Gift

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020

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I bought this for someone else but I read it before when I was in high school. This book here is a classic and the hardcover edition looks truly lovely for a great price. So as a gift, this is very presentable. On topic of Japanese martial arts and history, this book has high importance for these topics as it is fundamental to the subculture. I'll have to buy this for myself later on in life as I really like this edition. I can't write an extensive review right now as I don't have the book on hand anymore. It's totally worth buying though.

One person found this helpful

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Bill ComeauTop Contributor: Harry Potter

A Must Read! If You Like the "Art of War" You Will Like This Book also.

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2017

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If you read "The Art of War" then you need to read this. Musashi is another master of war and strategy, like Sun Tzu. You too can be the master of strategy if you follow the teachings of past Strategists.

8 people found this helpful

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NurseTyler

Amazing Book!

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2013

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this is probably one of the first books ive ever read through for personal gain and I couldn't put it down. I expected it to be a philosophical book with a few insights and lessons I could gain but I opened it up and read it in one sitting and can't wait to sit and read it again. This book is a culmination of legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi's life experiences, values, and wisdom all laid out in a beautifully translated work relating the main conflicts of life to the art of the sword. Back in the 1980's this book was quite successful in the business world where it was used for its insight into advantageous and strategic tactics. There is something to learn from every line of this book and i've gotten a lot out of it for the price i paid for. fast shipping and arrived in perfect condition. THANKS. A+

11 people found this helpful

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Shadow N

A timeless classic with great relevance to the past and the present.

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2017

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An excellent book teaching Miyamoto Musashi art of strategy that could be applied not only to martial arts but also to daily life. This version though is very clear and to the point and written in a plain language that is easy to understand to the lay reader.

3 people found this helpful

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Stefan Cazacu

Interesting and educational

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2020

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This is a very good and stylised book which provides a great insight on Miyamoto Musashi and hes thought process and way of life. The translation from Japanese to English is done to a very precise level and anyone interested in modern day swordsmanship should most definitely have a read of the book.

My only complaint would be that sometimes the structure of writing can sometimes come across as repetitive and the use of listing is used very often so it takes loads of patience to read this book , but definitely worth it!

One person found this helpful

Anglian Traveller

"Consider yourself lightly; consider the world deeply...do not begrudge death"

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2011

Verified Purchase

William Scott Wilson's translation of Miyamoto Musashi's 17th-century classic work of personal philosophy is in every way excellent, and captures the spirit as well as the meaning of the text to perfection. This small (not quite pocket-size but close) hardcover edition is also a very pleasing artefact and a quality piece of work.

Musashi's work focuses on practicing the `martial arts' - particularly swordsmanship - not from the perspective of learning technique but from internal spiritual development; the ascendancy of `mind' to which all technique must ultimately become subservient.

The `five rings' are in fact five chapters themed:

1. Earth (the South)

2. Water (the East)

3. Fire (the West)

4. Wind (the North)

5. Emptiness (the Center: all action and response is most effective when preceded by emptiness - i.e. no internal noise, no preconceptions; "this must be learned")

Each themed chapter incorporates short paragraphs explaining a specific aspect of how to win a contest or fight. For example, in the `Fire' ring, on `Imposing Fear:'

"...the heart of fear is in the unexpected...you do not frighten your opponents with what is right before their eyes. People may be frightened by voices...or by making the small seem large...something coming suddenly from the side also induces fear. You can frighten an opponent with your body, with your sword or with your voice. It is essential to do this suddenly, when your opponent is not expecting it. Take advantage of his fear and gain the victory immediately."

Musashi was allegedly self-taught, and learned everything through his own experience, introspection and native intelligence. The `Book of Five Rings' is not meant to be some kind of bible, but continuously exhorts the reader to "investigate this thoroughly" and do his own work, taking Musashi's guidelines as a starting point to guard against fatal errors.

The power of Musashi's work is in its conciseness and its completeness. He is reported to have written this text in his final two years, around age 60, to summarise and condense the essence of a lifetime of success in the martial arts. It was considered vital in that age for a respected Samurai to be not just an accomplished fighter but a poet, artist, ceramicist and philosopher; learned and accomplished in many things. The book contains some of Musashi's best-known sketches and artworks, including one of his self-portraits and the very famous, powerfully minimalist 'Shrike on a withered branch'.

Overall, if you want a good translation of this timeless classic, this edition can be unconditionally recommended as a fine choice.

14 people found this helpful

Roberto87

Don't bother.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very poor. Buy the book instead. How the narrator has won awards I don't know. Buy it if you want to avoid sleeping tablets.

3 people found this helpful

The Researcher

Subtle

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

Really enjoyable book. I’m in martial artist nor warrior, but I still found this book enjoyable and thought provoking. Requires contemplation and re-reading but there are plenty of practical lessons for life.

Bill Gorthy

Very happy customer

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

Excellent book

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