The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works

Description

The culmination of three decades of historical and martial arts study, Alex Bennett's groundbreaking new translation of The Book of Five Rings finally reveals the essence of the original, classical Japanese text to an English-language readership. Written by the famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi (1584u1645), The Book of Five Rings is the most influential book on Samurai swordsmanship and Zen Buddhist thought ever written, offering unique insights into Samurai history and the philosophical meaning of Bushido--"the way of the warrior." While previous English translations still sell well, these versions are based on modern retellings of Musashi's text. Bennett is a respected scholar and experienced martial artist who holds numerous black belts, giving him a unique perspective on the work. Capturing the subtle nuance and poetry of Musashi's original text, this edition sets a new standard against which all other translations will be measured. Richly annotated and including an extensive introduction to Musashi's life and work, The Book of Five Rings will be widely read by students of Japanese culture, Samurai history, and martial artists as well as anyone else who seeks to achieve the all-important Zen Buddhist state of "no-mind" that enables warriors to triumph.