The Book of Five Rings: A Classic Text on the Japanese Way of the Sword (Shambhala Library)

After reading 2 other versions of the book within 4 days, getting this book with cd's to rest my reading part of my brain and turn on the listening part was so refreshing. Id say i listened to this cd just for the tranquility of being a middle-aged martial artist myself, not understanding why this mortal man could have so much energy to practice and I cant get thru a 2 hour non stop workout at my school without wanting to puke. I mean, this guy had to train bare minimum 16 hours a day. He had no girlfriends, no kids, didnt bathe, didnt seem to have any pleasures at all. In fact, he talks about martial arts being a "way" to live that is ultimate, yet the paradox is this man describes almost no joyous moments in his life at all.Truthfully one must be very suspect as to how stunted emotionally and socially he actually was. You dont defeat/maim/kill 60 men by age 30, and then suddenly stop and do....what????? Wait 30 more years to recieve a request for your autobiography. He seemed very taoist-buddhist in his thinking and actions but a buddhist doesnt slaughter 60 men just to become a "great artist."What is either amazing or pure fiction on musashis part is how he could have killed his first man at 13 and never lost....and yet never had a teacher. This would only infer he was blessed/taught by the heavens or God himself. Plus, why did only one of his students even come remotely close to his skill. Thats always bothered me about the old martial lore is that the further you go back the better the teacher. Martial arts is the only skill where as time goes on, the student is never quite as good as the teacher. Who got as good as Ueshiba? Yip-Man? Go even to Bruce Lee or Steven Seagal if you want to use modern times.The fact that there IS so much missing and unexplained makes this a fascinating read/listen. I do have to say that I think it is all publishing hype that this book can be applied to all facets of life today. B.S.! HOW DO COMMENTS LIKE "Step on his sword to crush him" or "Always have the sun to your back" and "move your opponent to your left". How do these things apply to raising children or doing a business deal? LOL Too bad Ueshiba and Musashi did not live in the same place and time. It would be like Ali-Forman. But at least we "know" Ueshiba existed, and how good he was, we can at least guess. But why arent there many, many second hand testimonials of this most remarkable man? True he was a victim of his times with slow transportation and communication. But.............did he exist at all, or was this entirely a self-promotion? Or, to me what was more likely, it was a little bit of neither. He did actually say in his own words that to follow his trail, you could be "unbeatable" like him. Yet he says all other schools were "weak." Id like to hear what other readers felt were missing from this book. Im not a big MMA fan, but every MMA or pro boxer today would eagerly say about him......"Age 60??? Put him in the ring with me,he wouldnt last 15 seconds." I want to believe this guy is true, but heck, we cant even find a pro fighter today who can last past his late thirties and not be punchy, imagine back then when it was life and death. And he got no challenges after he "retired" at age 30 either, right? Hmmmmmm.......Look at the Japanese culture now of this "Succeed at any cxost-Work toll you drop attitude."Maybe that is why Musashi was lucky to even live till 60. Seems all these fanatical martial artists wear themselves out. Look at Ed Parker-dead at 56. Bruce Lee-33. Joe Louis-47,and on and on.

Miyamto Musashi lived at a time when chronic, large-scale and internecine warfare was starting to grade into symbolic warfare i.e. the killing duel. He became the most famous and, arguably, the most lethal duellist in known Japanese history. His experiences matured into theories of tactics and strategies culminating in the school of martial arts which he personally espoused and promoted. To a large extent, 'The Book of Five Rings' is a promotion of his own school of warfare and, especially, ritualized killing. In his opinion, all other schools of martial arts are deficient. In his opinion, some have become decadent, relying on Hollywood-style showmanship. Others have become too reliant on weapon modification or fancy swordwork. Musashi states that only necessary movements are wise. Unnecessary movements and parries are worthless.Use his tactics and strategies, Musashi claims, and one will ALWAYS be successful in killing one's opponent even if one's opponents be multiplied by 5 or 20. Like I said, 'The Book of Five Rings' is Musashi propaganda. Very few of us are capable of achieving combat or dueling perfection even if we were especially gifted and spent years training in Musashi's philosophies and methods. On the other hand, most of us probably would get a lot more dangerous.'The Book of Five Rings' was clearly never intended as a 'stand alone' text. It's value could only have been as a supplement to active training exercises in Musashi's techniques. Time and again he writes of 'correct' hits, strikes, slashes, parries, repostes but ALWAYS writes that his descriptions are worthless without intensive training and consideration.This book has been touted as a philosophy as to success in cutthroat business environments or--more correctly--how the reader can use Musashi's ruthless tactics and philosophies against one's more naive business rivals. In my opinion, this is a complete misinterpretation--and misuse--of Musashi's polemic. Although Musashi's approach to killing is systematically business-like, he knew next to nothing about 'business' and could have cared less. Some of his philosophies can be applied to life, in general, but make no mistake about it, Musashi is all about literally butchering one's opponent, primarily with a sword. Slash at his body, arms, hands or legs. Stab at your opponent's heart or face. Never do anything useless. Always try to discomfit your opponent--BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE--and slaughter him. Chase him, never give him the opportunity to look behind him, force him into obstacles. Kill him when he stumbles.Practice, Practice, Practice until all moves are automatic and fear is completely under control. Watch your opponent. Sense when he waivers. Sense when his confidence and morale are fading, even if it is temporary. Always take advantage of one's opponents situation even if the opportunity is fleeting. Never give a sucker an even break. Kill him.Interestingly, one of Musashi's 'Books'--Fire--concentrates on the battlefield and multiple opponents. Musashi talks of grand and petit stratgies. The implication is that Musashi, himself, must not only have participated in major battles but he must have had a strategic role in them. Then again, maybe not. Perhaps, in terms of major warfare, he was an armchair general who thought to apply his personal style and philosophy of major combat. Too bad General Robert E. Lee never had a chance to read about Musashi's warfare strategies. I'd have like heard what he thought.

The reader must first understand that this is a translation of a historical writing. The translation is hard for me to rate since I am no expert, but my view is that it is likely a good one that doesn't interfere with bringing the writing into English. The author's concepts cover many aspects of Zen and Tao focus during combat that range from one on one to multiples. He discusses the mindset of the martial art combatant and uses metaphors and direct descriptions to get his points across to the reader. The state of mind to focus is covered well, along with what to observe to a lesser degree. He does not intend the text to be a sword method tutorial, but more of a guide to the level of focus and state of mind along with some comments on the engagements. It is known to be a classic and one of the few from that era that gets consideration for the reputation of the author.