Strategy is the craft of a warrior Miyamoto Musashi Written around 1645, Miyamoto Musashis Five Rings is a classic Japanese work on mastery in swordsmanship, leadership and conflict. Musashi was a swordsman, philosopher and strategist, and today his work remains of influence not only in the realm of martial arts but in the business world, too. Musashis no-nonsense approach to the martial arts and combat includes eliminating technical flourishes, understanding that technique should simply be understood as defeating your opponent, and appreciating that the same qualities apply in both small- scale and large-scale conflicts. Repeatedly, he stresses the importance of learning through practice, rather than merely reading about them. Produced using beautiful traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques, Five Rings Illustrated is presented in an exquisite illustrated edition with a brand new modern translation.
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An illustrated classic Japanese work on mastery in swordsmanship, leadership and conflict in a beautiful traditional Chinese binding
Introduction
The Book of Earth
Both an introduction to all the books, as well as metaphorically discussing
martial arts, leadership and training
The Book of Water
This book describes Musashis approach: Ni-ten ichi-ryu Two Heavens, One
Style. It covers basic technique and fundamental principles.
The Book of Fire
This book looks at action in the heat of battle, and discusses matters such
as different types of timing.
The Book of Wind
This book discusses what Musashi considers to be the failings of various
contemporary schools of sword fighting.
The Book of the Void
An epilogue. Musashis probably Zen-influenced thoughts on consciousness and
on how to gain and maintain the correct mindset.
Miyamoto Musashi, swordmaster of the early Edo period (16031868), dedicated his life to reach perfection throughout swordsmanship. He fought and won more than 60 life-or-death duels and ended his career invincible. He left for future generations not only his fighting style but also the most important Japanese treatise on strategy, The Book of the Five Rings. Maisy Hatchard is a Japanese-English translator who specialises in board and computer games. She also writes about indie Japanese board games on her site, Japanalogue.
