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Zen in the Art of Archery Paperback – January 26, 1999

by Eugen Herrigel (Author), R. F. C. Hull (Translator), Daisetz T. Suzuki (Introduction)

212 customer reviews

in Archery

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A classic work on Eastern philosophy, Zen in the Art of Archery is a charming and deeply illuminating story of one man’s experience with Zen. Eugen Herrigel, a German professor of Philosophy in Tokyo, took up the study of archery as a step toward an understanding of Zen Buddhism. This book is the account of the six years he spent as a student of one of Japan’s great kyudo (archery) masters, and of how he gradually overcame his initial inhibitions and began to feel his way toward new truths and ways of seeing.

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Editorial Reviews

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“In this wonderful . . . and illuminating account . . . the Western reader will find a more familiar manner of dealing with what very often must seem to be a strange and somewhat unapproachable Eastern experience.” —from the introduction by Daisetz T. Suzuki

About the Author

Eugen Herrigel was a German professor who taught philosophy at the University of Tokyo between the wars. In endeavoring to become a Zen mystic, he penetrated deeply and personally into the theory and practice of Zen Buddhism and subjected himself to the rigorous discipline of training with a Zen Master for six years. Zen in the Art of Archery is the account of this experience and his The Method of Zen is also available from Vintage Books. Professor Herrigel died in 1955.

Paperback: 81 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books; Later Printing edition (January 26, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375705090
ISBN-13: 978-0375705090
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.3 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 212 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Archery
- #521 in Books > Self-Help > Personal Transformation
- #2557 in Books > Reference

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Happy as a puppy

Good content, bad translation

July 10, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The idea and thought is wonderful - for anyone curious about beyond what it is immediately presented as daily life.
But the translation is horrible - for such a small book, the precise and succinct wording is of utter importance - the translation failed to do that and more.

The book in itself is worthy the while - you just have to bear through the layered and often erroneous text to get to the jewel.

3 people found this helpful

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Len Esparza

It's a good book but be a good reader

September 3, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It's a good book but be a good reader. The prose is in the style of mid century European. Add to that the difficulty in understanding some of the dialog between the two main characters. However if you can get through it then you'll have great insight into Zen, one of the elements of the Buddhists eight fold path.
And when you are done you can ponder how a man like Herrigel, so passionate about a basic tenet of Buddhist thought, could end up a devoted Nazi. Buy it.

6 people found this helpful

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Eoin O Beara

Great, thought inspiring read

January 8, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This short book can be a tough read at times, but I was expecting it. I finished in one day while commuting, so not difficult to follow, but it required some reflection at times.
Really enjoyed it.

4 people found this helpful

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Arthur Bacon

This is indisputably one of the great Zen books

July 1, 2014

Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is indisputably one of the great Zen books. I mean, there is always Suzuki, Watts and a bunch of other guys worth reading (among which I would NOT include Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance, and not forgetting poor old Siddhartha, but Herrigel's book is sort of the bar, the standard of excellence, for anybody writing about the fascinating world of Zen. I have recommended it and even required it of some students. Even though I don't maintain an avid interest in Zen anymore, I still re-read this book every couple years or so. What better person to explore, experience and explain the weird world of
Zen than a tight-ass German professor who turns out to be utterly charming and self-effacing as he bumbles through this adventure. Be sure to read Ambivalent Zen if you think egolessness and sitting cross-legged for long hours painfully saying funny vowel sounds is going to make you happier.

7 people found this helpful

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Lady Haase

Provided understand of Zen and its practice.

September 1, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I finally understand why people engage in Zen activities. Excellent book, very readable.

Zen in the Art of Archery Paperback – January 26, 1999
by Eugen Herrigel

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A Universal Tale

February 16, 2005

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

My martial arts instructor has many books that he allows his students to take out. Some of them he recommends, others he recommends quite strongly. ZEN IN THE ART OF ARCHERY, however, is the only book which he actually handed out to every member of the advanced class. Clearly there is something he wants us to know.

The book revolves around Herrigel's attempt to understand Zen through the practice of kyudo (Japanese archery). Although I am no expert in either Zen or kyudo, I think he does a pretty good job. The concepts that Herrigel communicates to the reader are extremely esoteric and I found them easy to grasp through this slim volume. However, reading the book solely as a story about one person's search for Zen is to read the book far too narrowly.

The concepts that Herrigel addresses are universal concepts. They are not strictly religious (Zen), martial (kyudo) or even Asian (Japanese). Any substantial activity, be it learning kyudo, becoming a chess grandmaster or practicing to become a classical pianist, requires one to reach beyond psychological and internal barriers. This is what should be taken from this book.

During Herrigel's study, he focused not on the target, but on himself as the archer. The struggle was both an internal one, including physical aspects such as breathing properly and relaxing, as well as a refocusing of his mind, such as NOT focusing on the ultimate destination of the arrows he was shooting. The transcendence was within Herrigel himself.

This lesson is applicable to numerous situations across cultures and across activities. ZEN IN THE ART OF ARCHERY provides a good example of this phenomenon but not the only possible example. Read more broadly, this book provides anyone undertaking a long and arduous activity a simple framework for reaching beyond those plateaus that we all frustratingly find ourselves on from time to time. I recommend it on that basis.

13 people found this helpful

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June 10, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

One of the classics when it comes to beginners mind and Zen. Picture words to describe the aesthetics of the practice centered on Archery. For those that want to know and experience walking Zen meditation from Budo perspective. A must have in your library.

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September 12, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Classic and necessary for anyone in the arts.

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Most recent customer reviews

ryanscottulrich

Read it!

What can be said? Just read it.
This has helped my Zen practice very much and is both inspiration and concrete direction.

Published 14 days ago

Rostislav Vyzula

inner peace

Published 20 days ago

Louise A. Marasso, A.S.I.D.

Zen in archery - a great reminder to consider posture and fundamentals beyond just aiming ...

Zen in archery - a great reminder to consider posture and fundamentals beyond just aiming at a bullseye whatever it may be.
Louise A. Marasso

Published 1 month ago

Dave Shafer

Five Stars

Zen is good.

Published 3 months ago

Amazon Customer

Fascinating in Context

This is not actually an accurate description of Zen Buddhism as it applies (now and historically) to Zen Buddhism.Read more

Published 4 months ago

Buddha8404

Four Stars

Short and concise but profound still for today.

Published 4 months ago

sporting road

but loved what was in this brief book on zen and ...

Wishing it was more in depth, but loved what was in this brief book on zen and archery.

Published 4 months ago

Book synopsis description

Zen in the Art of Archery book by German philosophy professor Eugen Herrigel, published in 1948, about his experiences studying Kyūdō, a form of Japanese archery, when he lived...Read more

Published 5 months ago

Kristopher

Four Stars

I just got this book to research zen a little bit. It was informative and helpful for my purposes.

Published 6 months ago

Don Meegan

Look for hidden life lessons.

Classic Zen literature. Easy to read with a powerful message.

Published 7 months ago

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