The Book of Five Rings - Softcover

Misashi, Miyamoto

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1607961172 ISBN 13: 9781607961178

Publisher: BN Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

Along with Sun Tzu's The Art of War, The Book of Five Rings is considered to be one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asia. Composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. 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. This brilliant manifesto is written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life.

About this title

Review

To learn a Japanese martial art is to learn Zen, and although you can't do so simply by reading a book, it sure does help--especially if that book is The Book of Five Rings. One of Japan's great samurai sword masters penned in decisive, unfaltering terms this certain path to victory, and like Sun Tzu's The Art of War it is applicable not only on the battlefield but also in all forms of competition. Always observant, creating confusion, striking at vulnerabilities--these are some of the basic principles. Going deeper, we find suki, the interval of vulnerability, of indecisiveness, of rest, the briefest but most vital moment to strike. In succinct detail, Miyamoto records ideal postures, blows, and psychological tactics to put the enemy off guard and open the way for attack. Most important of all is Miyamoto's concept of rhythm, how all things are in harmony, and that by working with the rhythm of a situation we can turn it to our advantage with little effort. But like Zen, this requires one task above all else, putting the book down and going out to practice. --Brian Bruya

About the Author

Miyamoto Musashi, born Shinmen Takezo, was the author of The Book of Five Rings, an insightful text on the subtle art of confrontation and victory. Musashi was a famed swordsman who claimed to have defeated his first opponent at the age of thirteen. He wrote that he engaged in sixty duels without suffering a single defeat, and was noted for his skill at handling two swords at once.

Edition details

• Publisher: BN Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1607961172
• ISBN 13: 9781607961178
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64