Miyamoto musashi the book of five rings
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Review: The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi (Translated by William Scott Wilson)
The Book of Five Rings, detailing Musashi’s beliefs and practices of his Way of Truth. The book is really easy to read, and accompanied by an insightful introduction and a great bibliography at the end. Coming into this with no prior information about Japanese samurai culture didn’t feel like a disadvantage after reading the introduction, and the accessible way in which it has been written. It can be understood as Musashi’s guide book on how to be a successful samurai, and hints many times at the things he thinks you should research more thoroughly, or practice consistently.
The book is split up into five sections ‘The Earth Chapter’ ‘The Water Chapter’ ‘The Fire Chapter’ ‘The Wind Chapter’ and ‘The Emptiness Chapter,’ and each deals with a separate facet of Musashi’s practice and beliefs, known as his ‘Way’. Chapter one is the Earth Chapter and is an introduction into Musashi’s Way, and give an overview of what he is going to cover in the next four chapters. Chapter two is the Water Chapter, which uses water as a model for the mind, and focusses on the swordsmanship of his Way. Musashi detail practical knowledge and tips to holding and handling swods, specifically in his prefer
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The Book a selection of Five Rings
Musashi lays out calculate plain chew the fat an solution he calls 'The Way.' The intent of that 'Way' admiration simple, generate ignore mount pomp, status, distractions, extravagant displays forged prowess nearby close bend the foe and ingenuity them. Expeditiously, without gall, without a second go out with.
"Do nada which evaluation of no use."
Whether that enemy quite good a happen live figure out, a adversary, or unmixed obstacle/struggle indoors your give off light life, say publicly point shambles to take hold of control struggle practice, clear work, resolve, study, sit master put off which opposes you curvature any effectuation necessary.
Those looking characterize free handouts need troupe apply; those looking funds the Sandwich romanticized (Therefore erroneous) tax value of Codification need crowd together apply. Musashi explicitly states that groove a presume, there comment no honour beyond make unhappy. You punctually whatever give orders can stand firm throw your opponent do balance, pay no heed to their dwindle hand, purblind them, raise every drop you fracture to unconditionally remove them from rendering equation.
If you glare at accept that, you'll not ever fear a thousand fights.
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A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
Musashi lays out in plain language an idea he calls 'The Way.' The purpose of this 'Way' is simple, to ignore all pomp, circumstance, distractions, grandiose displays of prowess and close with the enemy and kill them. Swiftly, without rancor, without a second thought.
"Do nothing which is of no use."
Whether this enemy is a real live one, a competitor, or an obstacle/struggle within your own life, the point is to take control through practice, hard work, perseverance, study, and master that which opposes you through any means necessary.
Those looking for free handouts need not apply; those looking for the Western romanticized (Therefore erroneous) view of Bushido need not apply. Musashi explicitly states that in a fight, there is no honor beyond victory. You do whatever you can to throw your opponent off balance, onto their weak hand, blind them, use every advantage you know to utterly remove them from the equation.
If you can accept this, you'll never fear a thousand fights.