Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings is well known as a book of strategy. However, Musashi himself was a martial artist—the greatest warrior Japan has ever known—and the Five Rings was his definitive treatise on mortal combat.
This classic work interprets Musashi's Five Rings specifically for the martial artist—as it was originally intended. It explains the truths necessary for a full understanding of Musashi's message in depth. The result is an enthralling treatise on martial strategy that combines a warrior's instincts with the philosophies of Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Like the original, this new interpretation is divided into five sections: Earth, Water, Fire, WInd, and No-thing.
Over 1 million copies sold.
ISBN-13: 978-0804835206 Paper 128 pages 5.5 x 8.5 Tuttle Publishing $13.95
This classic work interprets Musashi's Five Rings specifically for the martial artist—as it was originally intended. It explains the truths necessary for a full understanding of Musashi's message in depth. The result is an enthralling treatise on martial strategy that combines a warrior's instincts with the philosophies of Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Like the original, this new interpretation is divided into five sections: Earth, Water, Fire, WInd, and No-thing.
Over 1 million copies sold.
ISBN-13: 978-0804835206 Paper 128 pages 5.5 x 8.5 Tuttle Publishing $13.95
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CONTENTS
Preface
About the Interpretation
Introduction
THE BOOK OF EARTH
THE BOOK OF WATER
THE BOOK OF FIRE
THE BOOK OF WIND
THE BOOK OF NO-THING
About the Interpretation
Introduction
THE BOOK OF EARTH
THE BOOK OF WATER
THE BOOK OF FIRE
THE BOOK OF WIND
THE BOOK OF NO-THING
CHAPTER SAMPLE
HOW YOU SHOULD STAND IN COMBAT READINESS
I always stress form and balance. If you are lax in your stances and positioning, then you will be unable to perform your technique effectively. Focus your concentration on only one thing—making the "hit." Narrow your eyes slightly and ever so subtly flare your nostrils. Always fight with your spine erect and unbent. Keep your shoulders relaxed and lowered. Tighten your abdominal muscles and root yourself into the ground. Make yourself bigger in your mind than you are as a manner of intimidating the enemy. Slowly work your way toward the enemy until you are ready to strike. Then do so with utmost conviction, quickness, and power. Keep your weapons ready at all times. You should practice the proper stances and movements prior to using any fighting technique and in this manner establish your own sense of being through your particular art. How often have you witnessed so-called experts with no form or balance? You see them as clods with no style or grace. Think this through and consider how you yourself wish to be seen should the time come for you to move. Think about being seen only by yourself and not through the eyes of others.
Why would you want to appear as one thing and be another? If you are a warrior, then you are a a warrior and if you are not a warrior, then you are not a warrior. The Way of the warrior is the Way of the warrior. To be a warrior, look like a warrior and stand like a warrior. Do not be false to yourself.
I always stress form and balance. If you are lax in your stances and positioning, then you will be unable to perform your technique effectively. Focus your concentration on only one thing—making the "hit." Narrow your eyes slightly and ever so subtly flare your nostrils. Always fight with your spine erect and unbent. Keep your shoulders relaxed and lowered. Tighten your abdominal muscles and root yourself into the ground. Make yourself bigger in your mind than you are as a manner of intimidating the enemy. Slowly work your way toward the enemy until you are ready to strike. Then do so with utmost conviction, quickness, and power. Keep your weapons ready at all times. You should practice the proper stances and movements prior to using any fighting technique and in this manner establish your own sense of being through your particular art. How often have you witnessed so-called experts with no form or balance? You see them as clods with no style or grace. Think this through and consider how you yourself wish to be seen should the time come for you to move. Think about being seen only by yourself and not through the eyes of others.
Why would you want to appear as one thing and be another? If you are a warrior, then you are a a warrior and if you are not a warrior, then you are not a warrior. The Way of the warrior is the Way of the warrior. To be a warrior, look like a warrior and stand like a warrior. Do not be false to yourself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephen F. Kaufman
I am an author and authority on management strategy, reality facilitation training, and a world-renowned martial arts master. I provide solutions that empower audiences and corporate clients to turn challenges by demonstrating definitive working techniques guaranteed to bring about advantageous results.
I am the author of the best-selling interpretations of Musashi's Book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu's Art of War, as well as Lao Tzu's The Living Tao, The Art of Stickfighting, Homage for Miyamoto Musahsi, and The Sword in the Boardroom, which focuses on business management based on honesty, integrity and morality for contemporary negotiations. I speak with true understanding of the lessons taught by the ancient masters and focus on the immediate needs of groups. My work is considered essential study for individuals and organizations interested in progressive management/motivation development that includes life enhancement skills.
Acknowledged as a true Founding Father of American Karate, I was elected to the title and rank of Hanshi, 10th Dan, the most prestigious accomplishment in the martial arts world, by international peer associations in 1991. My martial arts system is recognized by leading world martial arts masters to be one of the most realistic warrior methods in the world. I have received countless awards and honors for my work, including the Platinum Lifetime Achievement and Platinum Martial Arts Pioneer Award denoting 50 years of service to the arts by significant organizations. Visit my homepage at www.hanshi.com
I am the author of the best-selling interpretations of Musashi's Book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu's Art of War, as well as Lao Tzu's The Living Tao, The Art of Stickfighting, Homage for Miyamoto Musahsi, and The Sword in the Boardroom, which focuses on business management based on honesty, integrity and morality for contemporary negotiations. I speak with true understanding of the lessons taught by the ancient masters and focus on the immediate needs of groups. My work is considered essential study for individuals and organizations interested in progressive management/motivation development that includes life enhancement skills.
Acknowledged as a true Founding Father of American Karate, I was elected to the title and rank of Hanshi, 10th Dan, the most prestigious accomplishment in the martial arts world, by international peer associations in 1991. My martial arts system is recognized by leading world martial arts masters to be one of the most realistic warrior methods in the world. I have received countless awards and honors for my work, including the Platinum Lifetime Achievement and Platinum Martial Arts Pioneer Award denoting 50 years of service to the arts by significant organizations. Visit my homepage at www.hanshi.com