Product Description

Translated by V. Harris. Japan's answer to the Harvard MBA...Written over three centuries ago by a Samurai warrior, the book has been hailed as a limitless source of psychological insight for businessmen-or anyone who relies on strategy and tactics for outwitting the competition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27122 in Books
• Published on: 1988-05-28
• Released on: 1988-05-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

Amazon.com 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

From Library Journal
Written by legendary Japanese swordsman Musashi, this 17th-century exposition of sword-fighting strategy and Zen philosophy has been embraced by many contemporary readers, especially business school students, as a manual on how to succeed in life. There are many English translations, but every one, including this one, suffers from inadequate cultural, literary, and philosophical commentary. Musashi's work should be studied, not simply read, and Cleary's translation lacks commentary; it also makes the prose seems flat and the philosophy simplistic. Yet what makes this new translation worthwhile is the second text, buried deep in the back like an appendix: Yagyu Munenori's The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War. This text, also an exposition on sword fighting and Zen philosophy, is difficult to find in an English translation, and its availability is welcome. Recommended for academic libraries generally.
- Glenn Masuchika, Chaminade Univ. Lib., Honolulu
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"I have some advice for American businessmen who are trying to figure out why the Japanese excel in business. Buy and study a copy of Musashi's A Book of Five Rings."
-- George Lois, chairman of the board/creative director of Lois Pitts Gershon, New York
-- Review

Customer Reviews

A pleasing introduction to a different era
An old martial treatise that is more philosophical than one might expect. There are very few how-to sections of the work, but the very ambiguity of many passages allow deep inspection. The author of the second work translated here, Munenori, in fact reminds the reader - constantly - that everything written herein required careful consideration, practice, and reflection. As a glimpse into the warrior ethos of martial culture from 17th-century Japan, both are valuable books. The reader would most likely find this book even more rewarding after reading similarly-themed books from the near geographical area, such as Sun-tzu's "Art of War," or even the "Tao Te Ching."

Critically important for business - the single strike and strategy
Being able to focus successfully is a key to creating business empires; Musashi's book is packed with insights that all of us who are entrepreneurs and executives can learn from. It is the tactical equivalent of Sun Tzu's strategic wisdom in The Art of War; both are immensely powerful.

-k

It's good.
It's a good translation of the book of Five Rings. Although, I haven't read the original, and I can't read Japanese so I don't know if this is a correct translation or not. but, it makes sense, and it's not in Engrish like some other translated books...