Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings

This is easily one of the best english studies of Musashi. Together with William Scott Wilson's "The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi", anyone could conduct a detailed study into the fascinating life, art, fighting method, and unique philosophy of this eccentric genius and in the process, walk away with a decent quality understanding of the history making events that occurred around the battle of Sekigahara and the siege of Osaka castle. When I followed Musashi's travels in Japan, these were the two books I used to map my journey, and the understanding I was able to develop proved priceless as I traveled the old paths and visited villages, temples, castles, mansions, battlefields, and other locations largely forgotten. This book includes a very useful chronology at the beginning. One thing I like about this book in particular is the inclusion of color plates of his art and calligraphy, of which he was a master of both. His art is accomplished using an economy of strokes to achieve an effect. He is also known to have held his brush like a sword rather than grasping it in the traditional style. Next to one of Musashi's Daruma works, the author states: "We can follow every movement of Musashi's hand as he brought the gray line from center left up to the right, turned the brush swiftly at the shoulder and then pulled the line rapidly downward." This is a very satisfying book that should please any Musashi fan, or that is certain to make a fan out of anyone who is unfamiliar with this incredible man. I can't recommend it enough.

In this work Kenji Tokitsu leads the reader through an in depth study of Musashi's life and teachings on swordsmanship and strategy, which cuts through the mythos to attempt to uncover what is truly historical. There is also a fresh translation of the Gorin no Sho, which he translates as "Writings on the Five Elements," which is commonly known as "The Book of Five Rings." There are ample notes to assist the reader in important points of the translation of terms, and other details important to an accurate understanding of the priciples, etc. that Musashi is trying to convey. There also included other texts of Musashi which preceded the Gorin no Sho. There is also an account of the development of his school (The Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu) as well as the subsequent developement of swordsmanship and Budo in general. This is a good work to read slowly and thoughtfully... a real treasure.

This book is distinguished among all the others that I have read on the topic by being written in English by a Japanese person who is also an accomplished practitioner of Japanese martial arts, specifically karate and kendo. The translation is excellent and perhaps the most illuminating are the author's notes on his translation; the difficulties he faced and how he chose to resolve or at least address them. This book is a must-read for Western business people doing business in Japan because it not only sheds light on the Edo period, perhaps the most influential period in structuring modern Japan, but also because it highlights the tremendous differences between Japanese and Western paradigms of communication. If you buy this book and read it every time you fly to Japan and back, your time will have been well spent!

The author has done an amazing (and detailed) job in unraveling Musashi's life, duels, and contribution to martial arts, from all of the myth and uncertainty of this enigmatic warrior. The book covers Musashi's origins, his life as a warrior and an artist, and his impact on the evolution of swordsmanship and the modern martial art of kendo. The author also provides a complete analysis of Musashi's Book of Five Rings, as well as the legacy of his students and the impact that Musashi's work had on contemporary kendo masters. This book is a must-read for anyone studying swordsmanship or martial arts.

Complete, thorough and detailed. Its a marvelous work on an amazing man. Detailed, well structured, excellent translation. It covers his whole life and includes details not found elsewhere about his style, techniques,genealogy and writings. A must for any student of the martial arts.

Precepts Accept everything just the way it is. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake. Do not give preference to anything among all things. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world. Be detached from desire your whole life. Do not regret what you have done. Never be jealous. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love. Do not seek elegance and beauty in all things. Be indifferent to where you live. Do not pursue the taste of good food. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need. Do not act following customary beliefs. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful. Do not fear death. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor. Never stray from the way.

This is a great book. It is written by a knowledgeable author who is both a skilled martial artist and author. The book offers great information on the legendary miyamoto mushashi.

Historical, a worthy Warrior shares his focus and discipline of mind, body, and spirit. Excellent read! Excellent gift! Historical facts well worth passing on to the younger generation. Excellent reflection of a Warrior!