The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

The Book of Five Rings
by Miyamoto Musashi

Paperback, 116 pages
Published by Random House (Paper)
Publication date: April 1993
ISBN: 0877738688

Synopsis:
Since the publication of its first English translation in 1974, The Book of Five Rings has become an underground classic in the American business community, where it is studied as a text on Japanese management techniques. Here are timeless principles of craft, skill, timing, and spirit from a great samurai warrior--plus background on Zen, Bushido, Heiho, and Musashi's life.

Reviews:
A reader from London, UK , 01/19/98, Outstanding work of great relevance to many
This book presents a useful paradigm for operating in the modern world, as well as an excellent mind set for martial arts. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who runs a business, is a martial artist or wants a clearer focus on how to deal with energy of all kinds.

George from Oakland, CA , 01/12/98, stunning book not easily understood by non technical readers
Well, this is one of the greatest books ever written on strategy. But a great deal of it is highly technical and not easily understood by people without extensive background in the Japanese martial arts - I lived in Japan for 3 years, have studied over 10 year and make no claims to understand it. I used to ask my Sensei about it and he would just laugh - it was deliberately written to be obscure. I think you ought read it, enjoy it, know that most business managers (Japan or America) do not understand it and all the hype about it as a business text is BS.

Karl from Oklahoma City, OK , 12/25/97, A feast for thought...
A very deep little book, declared by many to be The classic guide to strategy. I first read it years ago, and still, to this day, I have moments of understanding of it.

A Reader from White Plains, NY , 12/08/97
Wonderfully written; easy to read and easy to understand. Many of the author's principles can be applied to average situations in life. it's like a mini book of proverbs

A reader from Bloomington, MN USA , 10/23/97, Master thy emotions and mind the way he masters the sword.
He is a phenomonal writer. He has written an encrypted owners manual to the mind, body and spirit and put in a very eloquent but realistic way....He provides a way of evolving and mastering yourself and your actions. This is one of the best books of the millenium...No doubt about it...

A reader , 04/30/97
Like the Art of War this book is versatile and can be used in any kind of situation - military or domestic, business or social. He teaches you how to be more fluid and adaptable while being very aware and sharp at the same time. I recommend this book to readers of Zen and the like.

Table of Contents
The Earth Scroll On the Science of Martial Arts Likening the Science of Martial Arts to Carpentry The Science of Martial Arts On the Composition of This Book in Five Scrolls On Naming This Individual School "Two Swords" On Knowing the Principles of the Words Martial Arts On Knowing the Advantages of Weapons in Martial Arts On Rhythm in Martial Arts
The Water Scroll State of Mind in Martial Arts Physical Bearing in Martial Arts Focus of the Eyes in Martial Arts Gripping the Long Sword On Footwork Five Kinds of Guard The Way of the Long Sword Procedures of Five Formal Techniques On the Teaching of Having a Position without a Position Striking Down an Opponent in a Single Beat The Rhythm of the Second Spring Striking without Thought and without Form The Flowing Water Stroke The Chance Hit The Spark Hit The Crimson Foliage Hit The Body Instead of the Sword Striking and Hitting The Body of the Short-Armed Monkey The Sticky Body Comparing Height Gluing The Body Blow Three Parries Stabbing the Face Stabbing the Heart The Cry The Slapping Parry A Stand Against Many Opponents Advantage in Dueling The Single Stroke The State of Direct Penetration Epilogue
The Fire Scroll The Physical Situation Three Preemptions Holding Down the Pillow Crossing a Ford Knowing the State of Affairs Stomping a Sword Knowing Disintegration Becoming the Opponent Letting Go Four Hands Moving Shadows Arresting Shadows Infection Upset Threat Sticking Tight Coming Up Against Corners Flustering Three Shouts Mixing Crushing Mountain and Sea Changing Knocking the Heart Out Becoming New Small and Large A Commander Knowing Soldiers Letting Go of the Hilt Being Like a Rock Wall Epilogue
The Wind Scroll On Wielding Extra-long Swords in Other Schools Powerful Sword Blows in Other Schools The Use of Shorter Long Swords in Other Schools Numerous Sword Strokes in Other Schools Positions of the Sword in Other Schools The Focus of the Eyes in Other Schools Footwork in Other Schools The Use of Speed in Other Schools The Esoteric and Exoteric in Other Schools Epilogue
The Scroll of Emptiness
Notes
The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War: By Yagyu Munenori
The Killing Sword Preface The Great Learning Mood and Will Appearance and Intention Beating the Grass to Scare the Snakes The Vanguard of the Moment Aggressive and Passive Modes Logical Principles of Aggressive and Passive Attitudes of Body and Sword Mental and Physical Aggressive and Passive Modes Things to Learn When You Face an Aggressive Opponent Things Learned for Facing Off in a Contest of Adversaries The Mental Postures of Three Ways of Feinting Addressing and Adapting to Changes of Mind Double Looks Hit and Be Hit At: The Sense of Winning by Letting Yourself Be Hit At Three Rhythms A Small Rhythm to a Large Rhythm, a Large Rhythm to a Small Rhythm Noting the Tempo Techniques I Techniques II Hearing the Sound of Wind and Water Sickness The Sense of Elementary and Advanced Levels of Removal of Sickness The Normal Mind Like a Wooden Man Facing Flowers and Birds The Free Mind
The Life-Giving Sword Perceiving Abilities and Intentions The Rhythm of Existence and Nonexistence The Moon in the Water The Quiescent Sword Explanation of the Characters Used for "Quiescent" Stride The First Principle The One-Foot Margin on Both Sides "This Is the Ultimate" / The First Sword Analysis of the Moon in the Water; the Quiescent Sword; Sickness; Body, Hands, and Feet Moves The Margin of Safety Maneuvering Seeing the Quiescent Sword: Distinction of Three Levels "The Mind Is Like the Moon in Water, the Body Is Like an Image in a Mirror." Hasty Attack Bringing Back the Mind The Sense of Total Removal, the Sense of the Void, the Sense of Presenting the Mind True and False Mind
No Sword Great Potential and Great Function Mind and Objects Martial Arts and Buddhism Yes and No Truth and Untruth

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