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Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai Hardcover – May 15, 2012

by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (Author), William Scott Wilson (Translator)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 927 ratings
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A foremost scholar of samurai texts approaches this martial arts classic as a meditation on the Zen concept of “death of the ego”—offering a fresh translation unlike any other.

Discover what it takes to be a samurai with the 18th-century martial arts treatise that delves into minds of legendary Japanese warriors.
 
Living and dying with bravery and honor is at the heart of Hagakure, a series of texts written by an eighteenth-century samurai, Yamamoto Tsunetomo. It is a window into the samurai mind, illuminating the concept of bushido—the Way of the Warrior—which dictated how samurai were expected to behave, conduct themselves, live, and die. While Hagakure was for many years a secret text known only to the warrior vassals of the Nabeshima clan to which the author belonged, it later came to be recognized as a classic exposition of samurai thought.

The original Hagakure consists of over 1,300 short texts that Tsunetomo dictated to a younger samurai over a seven-year period. William Scott Wilson has selected and translated here three hundred of the most representative of those texts to create an accessible distillation of this guide for samurai. No other translator has so thoroughly and eruditely rendered this text into English.

For this edition, Wilson has added a new introduction that casts Hagakure in a different light than ever before. Tsunetomo refers to bushido as “the Way of death,” a description that has held a morbid fascination for readers over the years. But in Tsunetomo’s time, bushido was a nuanced concept that related heavily to the Zen concept of muga, the “death” of the ego. Wilson’s revised introduction gives the historical and philosophical background for that more metaphorical reading of Hagakure, and through this lens, the classic takes on a fresh and nuanced appeal.
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  1. Print length
    200 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Shambhala
  4. Publication date
    May 15, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1590309855
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1590309858
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a great book for anyone looking for a more centered way of life, or just some good advice about living." —Sacramento Book Review

About the Author

William Scott Wilson is the foremost translator into English of traditional Japanese texts on samurai culture. He received BA degrees from Dartmouth College and the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies, and an MA in Japanese literary studies from the University of Washington. His best-selling books include The Book of Five Rings, The Unfettered Mind, and The Lone Samurai, a biography of Miyamoto Musashi.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shambhala; Translation edition (May 15, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1590309855
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1590309858
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 927 ratings

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  1. William Scott Wilson

    William Scott Wilson

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    William Scott Wilson is the foremost translator into English of traditional Japanese texts on samurai culture. His bestselling books include The Book of Five Rings, The Unfettered Mind, and The Lone Samurai, a biography of the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Tsunetomo Yamamoto

    Tsunetomo Yamamoto

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Yamamoto Tsunetomo (山本 常朝?), also read Yamamoto Jōchō (June 11, 1659 – November 30, 1719) was a samurai of the Saga Domain in Hizen Province under his lord Nabeshima Mitsushige. For thirty years Yamamoto devoted his life to the service of his lord and clan. When Nabeshima died in 1700, Yamamoto did not choose to follow his master in death in junshi because the master had expressed a dislike of the practice in his life. Instead, Yamamoto followed his lord's wishes and refrained from junshi. After some disagreements with Nabeshima's successor, Yamamoto renounced the world and retired to a hermitage in the mountains. Later in life (between 1709 and 1716), he narrated many of his thoughts to a fellow samurai, Tsuramoto Tashiro. Many of these aphorisms concerned his lord's father and grandfather Naoshige and the failing ways of the samurai caste. These commentaries were compiled and published in 1716 under the title of Hagakure, a word that can be translated as either In the shadow the Leaves or hidden leaves.

    The Hagakure was not widely known during the years following Tsunetomo's death, but by the 1930s it had become one of the most famous representatives of bushido taught in Japan. In 2011 a manga/comic book version was published Hagakure, The manga edition, translated by William Scott Wilson, adapted by Sean Michael Wilson and Chie Kutsuwada (Kondansha International Ltd., 2011).

    Tsunetomo believed that becoming one with death in one's thoughts, even in life, was the highest attainment of purity and focus. He felt that a resolution to die gives rise to a higher state of life, infused with beauty and grace beyond the reach of those concerned with self-preservation. Some viewed him as a man of immediate action due to some of his quotes, and in the Hagakure he criticized the carefully planned Akō vendetta of the Forty-seven Ronin (a major event in his lifetime) for its delayed response.

    Yamamoto Tsunetomo is also known as Yamamoto Jōchō, the name he took after retiring and becoming a monk.

    Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by unknown [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
927 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book interesting, great, and readable. They say the translation is literate and poetic. Readers also mention the book is insightful, full of useful anecdotes, and life advice. They say it will change their perspective and be profound.

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ReadabilityInsightStyleEnjoyment
109 customers mention "Readability"84 positive25 negative

Customers find the book interesting, insightful, and entertaining. They appreciate the literate and poetic translation. Readers also mention the short stories and anecdotes are powerful and can be reflected on endlessly.

"...Still, this book is well worth the time and money. I have read it several times, and I'll probably read it several more..." Read more

"...Others are rather entertaining, and yet other are off the wall...." Read more

"...The style is aphoristic. That means its EASY to digest and SIMPLE to navigate. You an really pick it up anywhere and read it from that point...." Read more

"...Each paragraph is very important. It is a short book, but it should take longer to read than the Bible...." Read more

47 customers mention "Insight"44 positive3 negative

Customers find the book very insightful, full of useful anecdotes and life advice. They say it will change their perspective and reinforce classic philosophy. Readers also mention the book is an educational read that reinforces classic philosophy.

"...This book helped me discover strength and courage within myself." Read more

"The book is the code of the ancient Samurai. The book is interesting and full of wisdom for our modern times as well. In my opinion." Read more

"...the occasional bit of weird commentary, this book does have a lot of interesting lessons from the perspective of a lifelong servant...." Read more

"...of Hagakure's content is a little dry, and although it offers profound insight in some places, it can be a bit hard to sort out what is useful in..." Read more

5 customers mention "Style"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the style of the book grabbing. They say it makes a nice, easy introduction to the philosophy. Readers also like the cover, size, and everything written inside the book.

"...The style is aphoristic. That means its EASY to digest and SIMPLE to navigate. You an really pick it up anywhere and read it from that point...." Read more

"...Furthermore, the style is grabbing and I was able to consistently return to it as I read it over a 2 month span." Read more

"...this book makes a nice, easy introduction to the philosophy of the East and the way of the Samurai ." Read more

"I like book cover, size and everything what is written inside the book. Book is not heavy and I can take with me to read on the train or bus." Read more

5 customers mention "Enjoyment"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the book not enjoyable. They also mention the book has errors throughout.

"This book honestly was not enjoyable whatsoever it basically talks about how the samurai were ruthless and violent people and would kill others for..." Read more

"...In terms of the writing, wasn't horrid, but again, really not enjoyable. Wouldn't recommend and not going to finish." Read more

"Terrible, cheaply made. Full of mispellings." Read more

"Not the most interesting of reads..." Read more

IT'S A REALLY SMALL BOOK AND SHOULD BE LISTED AS SUCH
3 out of 5 stars
IT'S A REALLY SMALL BOOK AND SHOULD BE LISTED AS SUCH
I received the book just fine -- well ahead of the estimated arrival date. However, they should let you know in advance that the book is really a mini-book, about 2.5 inches in height!
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Top reviews from the United States

Kenshin Shimayama
5.0 out of 5 stars The best translation of the best book ever
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is my third time buying this particular printing of the hagakure. I have a beat up, years old version of this same hardcover edition without the dust cover, a paperback copy that i lent out and never got back and now this fresh clean brand new hardcover copy. This book helped me discover strength and courage within myself.
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Waid Lackey
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
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The book is the code of the ancient Samurai. The book is interesting and full of wisdom for our modern times as well. In my opinion.
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Robert N. Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought this because of Ghost Dog, loved reading it.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2013
Verified Purchase
This particular eBook translation - the $0.99 one - is rife with errors in both spelling, translation, and formatting. Bargain bin prices for a reason.

==

I liked the little bits of philosophy in Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai. This book is where those quotes were pulled from, and I was very interested in reading it.

Aside from the occasional bit of weird commentary, this book does have a lot of interesting lessons from the perspective of a lifelong servant. This is a book that doesn't just teach you what it means to serve - it teaches you what it means to live a life of service.

The book itself is also very sturdy and can take quite a bit of abuse. I've spilled a drink on the cover once or twice, I've dropped it... hell, I used it as a coaster, once. And it still lasts to this day. I've since given it away as a gift and I'll be buying it again when I can get a reprint of the same size and quality.
3 people found this helpful
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D. Hunter
4.0 out of 5 stars A good look at ancient warrior philosophy
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2001
Verified Purchase
Hagakure is a guide to the proper roll of a samurai during feudal times. Things such as expected behaviour, dying with honor, obeying one's lord, etc...
For today's reader, this book offers several tips on the proper mindset when in combat from a samurai's point of view. Still, Some of these rules are, to say the least, a little strange.
For a serious martial arts student, this book will probably find a place on your bookshelf (if it hasn't already). However, if you saw the movie "Ghost Dog" and were expecting a book of straight warrior-wisdom, you may wish to consider the fact this book has a lot of Japanese history in it. Some of Hagakure's content is a little dry, and although it offers profound insight in some places, it can be a bit hard to sort out what is useful in today's world.
Hagakure is also not put together in an user-friendly format. You have to search for specific quotes, because there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it's layout. This can be tough when you want to go back and review how something was phrased to better understand it.
Still, this book is well worth the time and money. I have read it several times, and I'll probably read it several more...
53 people found this helpful
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wiredweird
5.0 out of 5 stars Musings of a samurai
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2005
Verified Purchase
The "hidden leaves" of Yamamoto Tsunetomo were collected, between 1710 and 1716, by a young samurai. Tsunetomo had been a samurai himself, when his original master died. Prevented by imperial command fromfollowing his lord into death, and unable to accept the new lord, Tsunetomo withdrew into monkhood. This collection summarizes the wisdom gained in his career.

This book collects passages, a few lines to a page long, on a wandering range of topics. Some reflect on historical events, others on proper behavior, yet others on Zen and bushido. The range of topics appeals to me, making it easy to open the book at random and read until something touches on my current thoughts.

One recurring theme is acceptance of human failure, with examples on pp 28, 42, and 113. By analogy, a wooden beam may be a little out of true or hold little knots and weeps, but still be strong and sound - perfect boards are rare, and very rarely needed. He also acknowledges (p.52) that "great genius matures late," that one can not reach the highest achievements without twenty or thirty years of development. This has meaning for me personally, and I hope for the best.

I have a few reservations about this translation, no matter how much I like it. It abridges the original 1300-plus passages down to 300, and abandoned the traditional organization of passages. I appreciate the brevity, but I wonder how much this non-native translator may have sacrificed in the abbreviation.

This is an important look into the samurai's heart and mind - I do not see that becoming a monk ended his life as a samurai. It is cryptic at times, but describes difficult matters. It is as relevant today as when it was written, almost three centuries ago.

//wiredweird
14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Fermín
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic to understand Japanese culture
Reviewed in Spain on March 31, 2023
Verified Purchase
One of the main works (among the top 5) to understand Japanese culture.
Need to be treated as a filosofical work.
Not for the “general public”.
It’s all about analogies and methafors.
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Levy de Souza
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótima qualidade e recebi antes do prazo
Reviewed in Brazil on January 23, 2019
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Livro versão pocket muito bom pra carregar consigo. Boa qualidade e recebi bem antes do prazo.
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Tea Pecunia
5.0 out of 5 stars Hagakure in inglese
Reviewed in Italy on September 6, 2020
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Pienamente soddisfatta
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Ricomoh
5.0 out of 5 stars Une référence quasi-philosophique
Reviewed in France on May 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
J'avais acheté cet ouvrage une première fois, mais dans un format minuscule: ici il s'agit du format relié, taille A5 à peu près, enfin le format qui convient à un ouvrage aussi puissant: je le relis régulièrement, c'est très facile à lire, des petits morceaux de sagesse tachées de sang! C'est très guerrier et souvent violent, tout n'a pas forcément de sens, mais certains passages sont des perles à méditer.
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Pentacular
5.0 out of 5 stars Palm sized book. Good one.
Reviewed in India on June 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
Handbook. Invaluable thoughts.
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