Product Description

The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #169919 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-24
• Released on: 2003-06-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Inside Flap Copy
The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction.
The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary?s translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi?s text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.

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.

Customer Reviews

Ultimate Text for your life
This is not just for Japanese. This is not just for Martial Artists. However, you must have a patience, open mind, imagination, pure heart to be able to understand and apply it in your life. This is THE ULTIMATE code of Japanese warrior that are still being applied today's society in Japan, among business men, teachers, Merchants, Students, Martial Artists, or anyone who is looking to live their way at the most highest honor, pride, and success. Sugoi hon da yo~!!! Mina ganbare~!!! OSU!

Rings
I still have not finished the book. There are some deep meanings here but it also needs some thought to apply the principles to your life. I will have to finish it when I have some spare time.

Book of five rings
bought this for a friend who loved it.
said it was quite deep but he found the answers he was looking for.