I am somewhat at a loss as to why this book, Code of the Samurai, fascinates me. I liked it enough that I bought a copy for my husband and would consider giving it as a gift to several friends who have interests in "courtly behavior," "chivalry," and "medieval" Japanese history in general (all are members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, like I am).
I have never made it through an entire reading of The Art of War and quite frankly The Book of Five Rings was no better as a shortened form thereof. Code of the Samurai is really neither of these books and shares little more than a common Asian ancestry. Instead, it reads rather like one of the pre-1600s Western culture books of proper behavior (for members of recreation organizations, think books like The Babees Book and the Book of Courtesey). Instead of Western Europe, however, this one is set in Tokugawa-era Japan (if I am remembering my history correctly).
The book very clearly addresses the actual life of a samurai. Thankfully, the book does not heavily focus on the martial aspects of the samurai's life (though these are touched upon) nor the esoteric, philosophical ideals that might be expected of a book on "Bushido." Instead, the examples of this book simply show you the proper and improper behavior of samurai in a variety of situations as they were viewed in classical Japan.
Unfortunately, I cannot speak for the accuracy of the translation because this book includes only the modern English (and I don't read classical or modern Japanese). The text as a whole, despite the lack of original manuscript versions, is rendered in an easy-to-follow style that you can read straight through or only a chapter at a time, at your leisure.
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From the Publisher
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| Musashi's Book of Five Rings | Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works | Hagakure | Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan | Bushido Code | |
| Details | This classic interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi's famous Book of Five Rings is explicitly intended for the martial artist—as Miyamoto Musashi originally intended | The first complete edition of Musashi's collected works in English. Includes The Book of Five Rings, and complete translations of 5 other known works of Musashi | One of the most influential of all Japanese texts, the comprehensive and accurate edition of the Hagakure is a must-have for serious martial artists or fans of samurai and the bushido code | A classic study of Japanese culture, the book outlines the moral code of the Samurai way of living and the virtues every Samurai warrior holds dear. It is widely read today in Japan and around the world | Words of wisdom from great samurai leaders: A collection of inspiring essays and aphorisms from Japan's leading warriors |
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GeorgeB11:11
Still as relevent today as ever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2012