The Book of Five Rings 
asked by john316 on November 26, 2006 6:04 AM
Setting down his thoughts on swordplay, on winning, and on spirituality, legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi intended this modest work as a guide for his immediate disciples and future generations of samurai. He had little idea he was penning a masterpiece that would be eagerly devoured by
people in all walks of life centuries after his death.
Along with The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings has long been regarded as an invaluable treatise on the strategy of winning. Musashi's timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant was
addressed to the readers of earlier times on the battlefield, and now serves the modern reader in the battle of life.
In this new rendering by the translator of Hagakure and The Unfettered Mind, William Scott Wilson adheres rigorously to the seventeenth-century Japanese text and clarifies points of ambiguity in earlier translations. In addition, he offers an extensive introduction and a translation of Musashi's
rarely published The Way of Walking Alone. This gift-book edition also features original art by Musashi himself as well as new calligraphy by Japanese artist Shiro Tsujimura.
people in all walks of life centuries after his death.
Along with The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings has long been regarded as an invaluable treatise on the strategy of winning. Musashi's timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant was
addressed to the readers of earlier times on the battlefield, and now serves the modern reader in the battle of life.
In this new rendering by the translator of Hagakure and The Unfettered Mind, William Scott Wilson adheres rigorously to the seventeenth-century Japanese text and clarifies points of ambiguity in earlier translations. In addition, he offers an extensive introduction and a translation of Musashi's
rarely published The Way of Walking Alone. This gift-book edition also features original art by Musashi himself as well as new calligraphy by Japanese artist Shiro Tsujimura.
Reviews
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I've read several versions of this book and William Scott Wilson seems to have the best understanding of the Japanese language and desire to keep it as "word for word" as he can keep it without making the text obscure. I highly recommend this translation. Oh yeah, and this book is highly valuable for philosophers and martial artists alike. Musashi was a genius of both martial arts and life.
reviewed by miceandmen on November 28, 2006 12:10 PM
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I have studied this book for years, and have read five different translations. The William Scott Wilson translation is by far the best. I always get the feeling that other translators are putting too much of themselves or their ideas about what Musashi is saying into the translations. Wilson's translation is clear and concise and yet does not feel filtered.
Here is a passage from the Thomas Cleary translation "Upset happens in all sorts of things. One way it happens is through a feeling of being under acute pressure. Another is through a feeling of unreasonable strain. A third is through a feeling of surprise at the unexpected."
Here is the same passage translated by Wilson "There are many kinds of agitation. One is a feeling of danger, a second is a feeling that something is beyond your capability and a third is a feeling of the unexpected. This should be investigated thoroughly."
They say the same thing, but Wilson is clearer.
As for the book itself, it is a classic masterpiece that describes not only a style of swordsmanship, but a way of living.
Here is a passage from the Thomas Cleary translation "Upset happens in all sorts of things. One way it happens is through a feeling of being under acute pressure. Another is through a feeling of unreasonable strain. A third is through a feeling of surprise at the unexpected."
Here is the same passage translated by Wilson "There are many kinds of agitation. One is a feeling of danger, a second is a feeling that something is beyond your capability and a third is a feeling of the unexpected. This should be investigated thoroughly."
They say the same thing, but Wilson is clearer.
As for the book itself, it is a classic masterpiece that describes not only a style of swordsmanship, but a way of living.
reviewed by drvale on November 29, 2006 3:30 AM
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There is only one reason to fight an apponent and that is to cut him down and win. The "Way" is the only way to assure victory in any engagement, at anytime, anywhere, with anyone. One must dedicate and commit all one has to living the "Way" and then one can reach the level of complete mastery over oneself. Nothing else matters. Not fighting stances, thoughts, beliefs, but only the single determintion to cut down your opponent and win. Nothing can come between your goal and the outcome you desire. If you think about doing anything, you have lost before you have started. While the other person is thinking about how to strike, or how to stand, or where to look, you have already cut him down. He's dead or close to it.
There is a similarity in Bruce Lee's "Dao of Jeet Ken Do" where there is no "style", only response to action. One must be water. Musashi flows like water. To do so one must practice and attain spirit, awareness, and discipline.
Being self-taught, Musashi wasn't bound by the rigid formality that binds all minds (and it is the mind that wins) in any endeavor. He was free of form and could respond accordingly to any situation. You should investigate this and also read this book.
There is a similarity in Bruce Lee's "Dao of Jeet Ken Do" where there is no "style", only response to action. One must be water. Musashi flows like water. To do so one must practice and attain spirit, awareness, and discipline.
Being self-taught, Musashi wasn't bound by the rigid formality that binds all minds (and it is the mind that wins) in any endeavor. He was free of form and could respond accordingly to any situation. You should investigate this and also read this book.
reviewed by ozone on November 29, 2006 3:06 PM
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Having read and annotated this book, I must admit that this book has confirmed what I always knew about martial arts. It is a value system and not a believe system, it is strongly based on self discipline and requires you not to lie about just reading books, but to actually go out there and practise over and over.
The translation itself is decent, without overemphasis in any one area (military, religous etc.) and the book presentation itself is admittedly good.
reviewed by officefan on November 29, 2006 5:34 PM