The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works: The Definitive Translations of the Complete Writings of Miyamoto Musashi - Japan's Greatest Samurai Hardcover – October 9, 2018

Anyone interested in philosophy should read this book. The book of the 5 rings is insightful. Well written and easy to read. Highly recommend.

A very good read about a remarkable man. The book came wrapped well and shipped fast. Highly recommend.

Anyone seriously studying Japanese Swordsmanship should purchase THIS version of Go-Rin-No-Sho. Bennett sensei immediately dispels many of the myths of Miyamoto Musashi propagated through Pop-culture, and the Yoshikawa Eiji novel. This is a fact based historical account of his life and teachings as a martial artist and is the best translation of "The Book of Five Rings," it clearly explains in full historical context, every obscure reference and history behind the book. Furthermore this is the most accurate translation I have read to date, even going so far to explain the different readings of each word, and what Musashi was implying with each statement.Furthermore, this book not only included Go-Rin-No-Sho, but also Musashi's other lesser known works. Heiodokyo, Heiho Kakitsuke, Heiho Sanjugo-Kajo, Goho no Tachi no Michi, Dokkodo, Kokura-hibun.Bennett sensei himself is a master swordsman who not only is a 7dan in kendo, but also the international Naginata-do representative, and co-founder of Kendo-World. Furthermore he holds 2 PHD's and teaches the History of Budo at Kansai University. His credentials in the Japanese swordsmanship community are amazing. This unique perspective clarifies many of the esoteric aspects that most other translations of these works are missing.

I had also purchased "The Book of Five Rings" written by Musashi (which is also included in this book) but this book has his other writings, and helps put into context "The Book of Five Rings" with footnote explanations and historical context. This book also explains the different manuscripts that have been attributed to Musashi and their reliability.It's a relatively easy and interesting read about a true historical badass and greatest swordsman of Japan.

Book was in great condition and as advertised. Thank you.

Only 1 page dedicated to "The Path Walked Alone" and only listed the 21 Principles of Dukkodo with no expansion, explanation, etc.

I have a few versions of the book of five rings. This along with Thomas Cleary's version are my two favorites. I've read through and highlighted many parts of this book over and over again. There's always something new to find and with this version you can delve deeper into the mind of the greatest swordsman to ever live. I'm an avid reader and couldn't live without this book.

Walks you through the history surrounding one of the most laudable swordsmen from Japan. Recommended for those who are serious about learning the history behind the philosophy, art and martial art.

Un escrito de gran trascendencia heredado por Miyamoto musashi. Al leerlo sin agregar o quitar ideas basadas en las experiencias propias, se puede percibir la simpleza de las enseñanzas de musashi, las cuales pueden servir para superar barreras en cualquier ámbito.

Comprei junto com outros livros que AINDA vou ler, como os Estoicos, Maquiavel, a arte da guerra, mas Dokkodo, pelo que vi se refere a umas vinte linhas escritas por Miyamoto sobre como viver uma vida disciplinada. De resto todo o livro, fala sobre técnicas de espada.Mrsm assim vou ler.

There is no question this translation is effectively perfect. The translator is one of the leading authorities on feudal Japan and Japanese martial arts and the samurai. His introduction and notes are expertly researched and written, importantly cutting away the myth from the real person who was Musashi. I super appreciate this effort and skill on the part of the translator and commentator. I always wanted to know who the real Musashi was and I honestly find this book to give me a very good idea of him! Absolutely wonderful!Now, I have a suggestion for a second edition. It was evident to me way back when I was a teen and read a translation of the Five Rings that this is in fact a fencing manual. Back then without the internet it was impossible to actually watch modern exponents of Musashi's school performing the movements. I tried very hard to make sense of the 5 movements described in the kata, which is the absolute essence of his method of fencing, but to little avail as there is not enough description of them to allow you to recreate them. Luckily for us his school has survived over the years and it is possible to learn his kata from today's practitioners. What I suggest therefore is a detailed and illustrated explanation of how to do the kata insterted into the book. If the translator has his doubts about the exact transmission of the kata (not saying he necessarily does of course) it would still be worth including what the modern Two Heavens (Swords) as One school teaches. There is already a page showing the author holding the two swords in the five guard postures, so why not continue on and show him and a partner demonstrating the kata together with notes to explain how to do it correctly. Of course nothing replaces real face to face instruction, but given the remarkable help the "Looking at a Far Mountain" kendo kata book has done for my study of the Kendo No Kata, I am sure even just for the sake of informing the reader it would be worthy to include a similar step by step teaching of Musashi's kata in this edition of the Five Rings.Other than this, the rest of the book contains excellent and comprehensible advice on how to fence well, most of which will make little to no sense to anyone who is not already an accomplished fencer... which is again why I'd like to see the kata explained properly so at least I'd have something to start with.Now, as to why non-fencers would read this book... I don't quite get it! Some passages can relate to things other than fencing, but not too many of them.By the way, I don't see why this book would be limited to modern exponents of Japanese style fencing. The lessons make sense with some measure of interpretation for any kind of fencing. Still... his whole method is predicated on mastery of his five kata movements, so please teach these in the book!In any case, just like the works of historical Western fencers like Swetnam and Silver, this book needs to be treated as a fencing manual and requires illustrations and lessons to explain the moves.

OLD Japanese Philosophy from really tough times still have VERY much to teach any Person in this World.