Miyamoto Musashi

This edition contains three classic texts from eastern philosophy, The Art of War, The Book of Five Rings and The Way of the Samurai. Together, these texts set out strategies and techniques for warfare and conflict that span more than 2500 years. In The Art of War, Chinese general Sun Tzu promotes strategic flexibility, quick thinking on the battlefield, and understanding the enemy's intentions.The Book of Five Rings covers swordsmanship and the martial arts, emphasizing the need to perfect technique to improve control and discipline. In The Way of the Samurai, Inazo Nitobe explores the moral code of the Japanese warrior class, ideals that still resonate in modern Japanese society and the wider world. Each a best-selling title in its own right, these three classic Far Eastern texts are about much more than war and being a warrior, including ideas of leadership, virtue and disciple which remain relevant to conduct in business and in life today.

'When you attain the Way of strategy, there will not be one thing you cannot see.' -Miyamoto Musashi This deluxe silkbound slipcase edition presents The Book of Five Rings, a classic Japanese text written by undefeated swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. In it, he records his "true principles" which guarantee victory in martial arts and on the battlefield. Instead of relying on religion or theory, Musashi based his writings on his own experience, observation, and reason. The scrolls, published as The Book of Five Rings, have recently gained an international reputation in the business world as a means of resolving differences and achieving success. But their delineation of the psychological strength, rigorous self-control, and practical application necessary for dealing with physical and mental conflict also has a wider relevance and can be usefully applied to all our lives. Featuring beautiful full-colour illustrations that complement the text, this luxurious hardback makes a perfect gift. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Silkbound Classics series brings together deluxe gift editions of literary classics, presented with luxurious silk binding, striking embossed cover designs and full-colour illustrations.

Written around 1645, Miyamoto Musashi’s Five Rings is a new modern translation of a classic Japanese work on mastery in swordsmanship, leadership and conflict produced using beautiful traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques. Strategy is the craft of a warrior – Miyamoto Musashi Written around 1645, Miyamoto Musashi’s 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. Musashi’s 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 is presented in an exquisite edition with a brand new modern translation.

Miyamoto Musashi's Go Rin no Sho or the book of five rings, is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, much like Sun Tzu's The Art of War and Chanakya's Arthashastra. The five "books" refer to the idea that there are different elements of battle, just as there are different physical elements in life, as described by Buddhism, Shinto, and other Eastern religions. Through the book Musashi defends his thesis: a man who conquers himself is ready to take it on on the world, should need arise.

The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.