Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works
Definitive New Translations of the Writings of Miyamoto Musashi - Japan's Greatest Samurai!
Will be published approx. on 2. March 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-4-8053-1616-0 (ISBN)
Description
The culmination of 25 years of research, Alex Bennett's groundbreaking English translation of Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings reveals the true meaning of the original work. Plus, definitive translations of five more known works of Musashi!
This piece of writing by famed samurai Musashi (1584-1645) is the single-most influential work on samurai swordsmanship, offering insights into samurai history, the Zen Buddhist state of "no-mind" that enables warriors to triumph and the philosophical meaning of Bushido-"the way of the warrior."
Until now, English translations of The Book of Five Rings have been based on inaccurate copies of Musashi's long-lost original manuscript. Bennett's translation is the first to be based on a careful reconstruction of the original text by Japan's foremost Musashi scholar. By identifying discrepancies among the existing copies, adding missing texts and correcting over 150 incorrect characters, this source is the closest representation of Musashi's original work possible. Utilizing this new source, Bennett captures the subtle nuance of the classic Japanese text, resulting in the most accurate English translation of The Book of Five Rings available
Enjoy complete, richly annotated translations of Musashi's most-known works:
The Book of Five Rings
Mirror on the Way of Combat
Notes on Combat Strategy
Combat Strategy in 35 Articles
The Five-Direction Sword Pathways
The Path Walked Alone
The texts are richly annotated by Bennett, who includes an extensive introduction on Musashi's life and legacy. This paperback edition also includes a new introduction by Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan Graham Sayer, who talks about the influence Musashi's writings have had on him as a person and martial artist.
The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works will be widely read by those interested in Japanese culture, Samurai history and martial arts-setting a new standard against which all other translations will be measured.
This piece of writing by famed samurai Musashi (1584-1645) is the single-most influential work on samurai swordsmanship, offering insights into samurai history, the Zen Buddhist state of "no-mind" that enables warriors to triumph and the philosophical meaning of Bushido-"the way of the warrior."
Until now, English translations of The Book of Five Rings have been based on inaccurate copies of Musashi's long-lost original manuscript. Bennett's translation is the first to be based on a careful reconstruction of the original text by Japan's foremost Musashi scholar. By identifying discrepancies among the existing copies, adding missing texts and correcting over 150 incorrect characters, this source is the closest representation of Musashi's original work possible. Utilizing this new source, Bennett captures the subtle nuance of the classic Japanese text, resulting in the most accurate English translation of The Book of Five Rings available
Enjoy complete, richly annotated translations of Musashi's most-known works:
The Book of Five Rings
Mirror on the Way of Combat
Notes on Combat Strategy
Combat Strategy in 35 Articles
The Five-Direction Sword Pathways
The Path Walked Alone
The texts are richly annotated by Bennett, who includes an extensive introduction on Musashi's life and legacy. This paperback edition also includes a new introduction by Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan Graham Sayer, who talks about the influence Musashi's writings have had on him as a person and martial artist.
The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works will be widely read by those interested in Japanese culture, Samurai history and martial arts-setting a new standard against which all other translations will be measured.
Reviews / Votes
"...artfully translated by Bennett...color illustrations enhance this superb new edition of a classic, an evident labor of love." -Publishers Weekly "Dr. Bennett possesses a profound knowledge of, and deep insight into, the world of Japanese bushido. This expertise has been enhanced by his extensive practical experience of the traditional martial arts of Japan, and his proficiency in this domain is highly acclaimed." -Tetsuo Yamaori, former Director of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies "This is a very good edition of this important document, made more valuable by the lengthy introduction and the inclusion of all six of the works currently attributed to Miyamoto Musashi, which allow us to see how his views developed, and places the famous Book of Five Rings into the context of his life." -History of War blogMore details
Edition
ed
Language
English
Place of publication
Japan
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
280 gr
ISBN-13
978-4-8053-1616-0 (9784805316160)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Miyamoto Musashi
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
Book
10/2018
Tuttle Publishing
€36.08
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Alex Bennett holds two doctoral degrees in Japanese literature and history from Kyoto University and the University of Canterbury (NZ). He teaches courses in Japanese history, martial arts, and Budo theory at Kansai University. He is Vice President of the International Naginata Federation, International Committee Member of the All Japan Kendo Federation, Director of the Japanese Academy of Budo, and Head Coach of the NZ Kendo national team. He co-founded and edits Kendo World, the first English-language journal dedicated to Kendo. He holds black belt grades of Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan, Iaido 5-dan and Naginata 5-dan. He has competed successfully in many international competitions, taking second place in the World Naginata Championships in 2011, and best 8 in the team event at the World Kendo Championships in 2012. His published works include Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan, Hagakure, Kendo: Culture of the Sword, Bushido Explained, Japan: The Ultimate Samurai Guide and numerous translations of Japanese martial arts texts.
Foreword writer Graham Sayer has been president of the New Zealand Kendo Federation since 1987. He attained 4th Dan grade in Japan before moving back to New Zealand in 1985. He has represented New Zealand and competed in Kendo Championships around the world since then. Today he holds the rank of Kyoshi 7th Dan and also serves as auditor for the International Kendo Federation.
Foreword writer Graham Sayer has been president of the New Zealand Kendo Federation since 1987. He attained 4th Dan grade in Japan before moving back to New Zealand in 1985. He has represented New Zealand and competed in Kendo Championships around the world since then. Today he holds the rank of Kyoshi 7th Dan and also serves as auditor for the International Kendo Federation.