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Miyamoto Musashi
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The Book of Five Rings Kindle Edition

by Miyamoto Musashi (Author), Shiro Tsujimura (Illustrator), William Scott Wilson (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
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Along with Sun Tzu's The Art of War, The Book of Five Rings is considered to be one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asia. Composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was a mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess—and it is this path to mastery that is the core teaching in The Book of Five Rings. This brilliant manifesto is written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life.
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  1. Print length
    166 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Shambhala
  5. Publication date
    May 15, 2012
  6. File size
    939 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Get to know this book

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  1. What's it about?

    A timeless guide on strategic thinking, mental mastery, and overpowering adversaries through insightful martial arts wisdom.

  2. Popular highlight

    The foreman should take into account the abilities and limitations of his men, circulating among them and asking nothing unreasonable. He should know their morale and spirit, and encourage them when necessary. This is the same as the principle of strategy.
    2,137 Kindle readers highlighted this

  3. Popular highlight

    You should not have a favourite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. You should not copy others, but use weapons which you can handle properly. It is bad for commanders and troopers to have likes and dislikes. These are things you must learn thoroughly.
    2,071 Kindle readers highlighted this

  4. Popular highlight

    Perceive those things which cannot be seen. 8. Pay attention even to trifles. 9. Do nothing which is of no use.
    2,004 Kindle readers highlighted this

  5. Popular highlight

    Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.
    1,893 Kindle readers highlighted this

  6. Popular highlight

    The principle of strategy is having one thing, to know ten thousand things.
    1,768 Kindle readers highlighted this
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Embraced by many contemporary readers as a manual on how to succeed in life."— Library Journal

From the Back Cover

The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007V3FHRU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shambhala (May 15, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 15, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 939 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 166 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi

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Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵?, c. 1584 – June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent, and unique double bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 60 duels. He was the founder of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū or Niten-ryū style of swordsmanship and in his final years authored the The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書 Go Rin No Sho), a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by User Alkivar on en.wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. Photo by User Alkivar on en.wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4,519 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the principles espoused in the book useful and in line with real-world. They also describe the prose as metaphorical and soothing. Readers also find the text legible, engaging, and poetic, delivering the message effectively. They find the content interesting and accurate.

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Educational valueReadabilityContentLength
67 customers mention "Educational value"67 positive0 negative

Customers find the principles espoused in the book useful and timeless. They also say it's a great book from the past that can still be used. Readers also say the essence of the work is simple, win, and be victorious. They say the text is philosophical and a source for thought.

"...It was also interesting from a general historical perspective. Still, you don't have to be into warfare or a history buff to appreciate this book...." Read more

"...It is rather a hard won and practical philosophy, almost a code of conduct and a way of viewing the world that is not bound by esoteric nor abstract..." Read more

"...The book's concise writing style and practical advice make it a useful guide for readers of all levels, and its emphasis on living in the present..." Read more

"...I’m so glad I read this. There is some tremendous wisdom to be had in these pages." Read more

43 customers mention "Readability"34 positive9 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, understand, and apply to current times. They also say the message between the pages is amazing.

"...It is relatively short, easy to read, to the point and like the man himself, deadly accurate. Enjoy the genius that is The Book of Five Rings." Read more

"...The book's concise writing style and practical advice make it a useful guide for readers of all levels, and its emphasis on living in the present..." Read more

"...I can personally attest this translation is very good and I didn’t have any issues in reading the book...." Read more

"...(I can't read Japanese, but everything here was clear, and when the translator felt that it was necessary, he pointed out..." Read more

10 customers mention "Content"7 positive3 negative

Customers find the content interesting and accurate.

"...short, easy to read, to the point and like the man himself, deadly accurate. Enjoy the genius that is The Book of Five Rings." Read more

"This is a very good audio cd . The authors voice is very clear and precise and very easy to understand ." Read more

"...As for the words and text I found it frustrating and bored as this was orignially written in a foreign language hundreds of years ago, and being..." Read more

"Interesting stuff but I wasn't expecting the style of writing...." Read more

10 customers mention "Length"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book short and easy to read. They also say it arrived quickly.

"...It is relatively short, easy to read, to the point and like the man himself, deadly accurate. Enjoy the genius that is The Book of Five Rings." Read more

"...It is short, at just over 100 pages. To those outside of martial arts, I don't think this will be as useful...." Read more

"...Still a short read." Read more

"...But, in all fairness, I did enjoy this book nevertheless. Plus, it is short and to the point, which for me is always a good thing...." Read more

Wish there were pictures of Musashi’s Art work!
3 out of 5 stars
Wish there were pictures of Musashi’s Art work!
Simplistic, without pictures, without vast examples of his calligraphy, without a grasp of the times — in general a very dry translation (without grasp).Updated Review:BUT Mr. Wilson is an honorable man, and that does not have a price! In the Preface he does a good job explaining a bit of Musashi’s life. I just wish (since too many of us Martial Artist are into different forms of arts) that he would have included photos of Musashi’s art as well as photos of the paintings he describes to give us a broader insight.Mr. Wilson, however, from the get-go shows true leadership in his translation. He wrote after having thanked all those who gave him a hand in the materialization of just book, “Any and all mistakes are my own.” Think about it: He does not say IF any and whatever MISTAKE are my own. He knows that in writing a book (a lot more into translating it) mistakes/misunderstandings are part of the unavoidable because of our human condition. Bravo Mr. Wilson! Bravo!❤️P.S. Amazon messes up in sending me hardcover, but they helped me with the situation later. Thank you!❤️
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Top reviews from the United States

MojoMojo007
5.0 out of 5 stars Strangely Profound - An Enthralling Read
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024
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For a topic focused on strategy of warfare, I felt the principles shared are applicable beyond warfare. For that reason, I felt this was a rewarding read. It was also interesting from a general historical perspective. Still, you don't have to be into warfare or a history buff to appreciate this book. The terminology and language of the feudalistic Japan era did make some concepts challenging to understand, but I think I was able to get the gist most of the time. Hence, of your willing to take frequent pauses to reflect on certain passages, I would recommend this read.
One person found this helpful
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Coldbourne
5.0 out of 5 stars Great translation of an excellent book in a small but ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2015
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This Edition:
Great translation of an excellent book in a small but well constructed hardback. The addition of various calligraphy and Musashi's The Way of Walking Alone are a welcomed treat that adds further depth to an already remarkable book.

This book:
The Go Rin No Sho (a.k.a. The Book of Five Rings) is the definitive book on Samurai Philosophy by the archetype of The Wandering Samurai himself, Miyamoto Musashi. Throughout his remarkable life, Musashi developed a philosophy and a style all his own. As stated early in the text, his philosophy is not Budhism, nor Taoism nor any other existing philosophy. It is rather a hard won and practical philosophy, almost a code of conduct and a way of viewing the world that is not bound by esoteric nor abstract thinking. Instead, his writing is about a gradual awakening and clarity of thought that his many and varied experiences led him to. Despite being written by a rampant, unwashed and bewilderingly intelligent swordsman with an odd smattering of formal education, his ability to elucidate the intricacies of strategy and apply it to all aspects of life are staggering and surprisingly relevant even now. You do not have to be a fan of Japan, Samurai, the Edo period, eastern philosophy or any other genre you may want to file this book under in order to appreciate it. It is relatively short, easy to read, to the point and like the man himself, deadly accurate. Enjoy the genius that is The Book of Five Rings.
86 people found this helpful
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Huckleberry Finn
4.0 out of 5 stars The Art of War Meets Zen
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2023
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"The Book of Five Rings" is a classic Japanese text on strategy and martial arts written by Miyamoto Musashi, a renowned swordsman and philosopher. The book is divided into five sections, each focusing on a different aspect of strategy.

Musashi's writing style is concise and direct, reflecting the principles of Zen Buddhism. He uses simple language to convey complex ideas and emphasizes the importance of practical application.

The key concepts explained in the book include the importance of strategy, the need for flexibility and adaptability, and the role of intuition in decision-making. Musashi emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself and one's opponent, as well as the importance of continuous self-improvement.

The book is highly effective in teaching its subject matter, and its lessons can be applied to a wide range of contexts, from martial arts to business and personal relationships. The practical advice is presented in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to readers of all levels.

One unique aspect of the book is its emphasis on the importance of living in the present moment and not being distracted by past or future concerns. Musashi emphasizes the need for complete focus and concentration in all aspects of life.

One area where the book could be improved is in its application to modern-day contexts. While the principles are still relevant today, the examples provided are primarily focused on swordsmanship and may not be as relatable to modern readers.

Overall, "The Book of Five Rings" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in strategy and self-improvement. The book's concise writing style and practical advice make it a useful guide for readers of all levels, and its emphasis on living in the present moment provides a unique perspective on success and fulfillment. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to improve their strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
3 people found this helpful
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Will
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Way.
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
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I haven’t made this many highlights in a book in a long time. I’m so glad I read this. There is some tremendous wisdom to be had in these pages.
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Derrick
5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive translation
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021
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The is supposedly the best translation out there. The book itself has notes in the back where some of the sentences could be read in multiple ways, and where wordplay doesn't come through to English. I have read several translations over the years, and don't necessarily have a favorite. However, I do enjoy the extra insight that the notes bring. The Book of Five Rings continues to be one of the most influential texts in martial arts. Musashi discusses technique, opposing schools, the concepts behind using the techniques, etc. If you are in the martial arts, you owe it to yourself to own a copy of this. It is short, at just over 100 pages. To those outside of martial arts, I don't think this will be as useful. You may find some principles interesting, but this is mostly about how to dominate another human in combat. It's not normal people stuff. Those that want inspiration for business or other such nonsense are kidding themselves. Get business from business books. Learn combat from those that lived it.
37 people found this helpful
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Tom
5.0 out of 5 stars Profound knowledge
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022
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This book was everything I thought it would be and then exceeded that. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in martial arts or philosophy in general. Be wary of some translations; I’ve heard not all are good. I can personally attest this translation is very good and I didn’t have any issues in reading the book. Quality of the book I received was in new condition (sometimes books can arrive scuffed). All in all highly recommend easily worth the money.
3 people found this helpful
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Utkarsh
3.0 out of 5 stars Basically a book about a master swordsman
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2023
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Was hoping it would be a more strategy and principles based book applicable to modern day competition. It is. But through the lens of a literal swordsman, a warrior. You can glean some insights here but it'll take work on your part to look for and decipher the literal lessons around fighting. Still a short read.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Stephen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2024
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This book was recommended to me and I’m happy I read it. Written a very long time ago but still correlates to today.
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Caio Moura
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in Brazil on October 17, 2021
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Musashi's book is filled with useful knowledge for anyone who would benefit from use of strategy, whether in business, career or relationships.
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Elias malki
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in Sweden on April 29, 2024
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Bästa boken
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Davide domingues
5.0 out of 5 stars Gutes buch
Reviewed in Germany on October 29, 2023
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Gutes buch
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ゴールデン武士
5.0 out of 5 stars Samurai to Samurai
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2023
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I enjoyed the five ways, Especially the Void. Teaches us to not fear the unknown, But to embrace it and become it. We are the Void.

Great book, If a tad on the shorter side.
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