Download PDF The Book of Five Rings eBook Musashi Miyamoto Reading Time
Product details
File Size 2316 KB
Print Length 56 pages
Publisher Reading Time (March 4, 2019)
Publication Date March 4, 2019
Sold by Digital Services LLC
Language English
ASIN B07PFDCKSD
The Book of Five Rings eBook Musashi Miyamoto Reading Time Reviews
I would place Musashi-san's Book of the Five Rings on par with classical teachers like Sun Tzu, Laozi. His book lacks detail compared to some of the classics, but that is one of its strengths. He spends approximately 1/6th of the short book on the movements and tactics for sword-fighting, which may be of varying value to readers - depending on their interest on the subject.
Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" places emphasis on large scale military operations; which lends itself to modern business (in the mind of the reader, and in many modern expositions on a domain-by-domain basis) - supply chains, market saturation, globalization, operational budgeting, etc., Musashi-san's "Way" is likewise applicable. Musashi-san focuses on large scale and small scale (individual) battle, offering useful comparisons and contrasts. For me, the individual focus was extremely insightful and personal. It may suit individuals who have situations of high responsibility or discretion (e.g., negotiations, debate, martial arts, software development), or cases where an individual does not have an abundance of resources or allies - and opportunity is gained through competition.
The book is highly quotable, and I found myself reading this short <100 page book over a month's time because every few pages gave me something to think about, research, mull over, and discuss. Almost paradoxically, his vagueness and insistence that the reader practice, research, and train builds toward a thesis - "By learning one thing, one should know 10000 (myriads)."
As a retired IT person and CIS college instructor - my lesson on any topic was not to memorize procedures or things easily looked up in technical references; but principles, how information flows, how to identify processes (and problems in them), to detect the presence of patterns, or put simply "How is this problem or system similar or different from others you've encountered. I wish I had known about this book sooner, as he does an excellent job demonstrating this approach to learning.
Unfortunately I can't give a review on the content as the book I received is incomplete. Yes, every other page is blank. And because I took to long to get to reading it, I can't return it. At least it wasn't very expensive. You get what you pay for I guess.
Reading Musashi is a right of passage. The man was a complete badass, on a level many of us will only ever dream of.
That said, he excelled in killing people, not writing books, and this reads exactly how you would expect a world-renowned killer would write. The passages and subjects are scattered and disjointed, and at times make very little sense. Sometimes hes describing precise sword movements and battle tactics, next hes talking about extremely esoteric ideas in a rambling, stream-of-consciousness sort of way.
I'd say what you get out of the book is entirely subjective. It's been said that this is the Japanese version of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War." All Japanese executives have read it. Martial arts masters have read it. Historical scholars and enthusiasts as well. If you have the ability to take 18th century martial arts tactics and apply it to modern day situations, you could gain a great deal from this book. If you read it literally... well you may just have a laugh and write it off as the crazy mutterings of an old man.
Either way its a cheaply priced, reasonably-sized book, and this is one of the better translations out there. Definitely add it to your collection and give it a go. Plus you'll be able to brag that you've read Musashi, a man who died undefeated with over 60 confirmed kills in martial combat! Total badassery!
This Edition Great translation of an excellent book in a small but well constructed hardback. The addition of various calligraphy and Musashi's The Way of Walking Alone are a welcomed treat that adds further depth to an already remarkable book.
This book The Go Rin No Sho (a.k.a. The Book of Five Rings) is the definitive book on Samurai Philosophy by the archetype of The Wandering Samurai himself, Miyamoto Musashi. Throughout his remarkable life, Musashi developed a philosophy and a style all his own. As stated early in the text, his philosophy is not Budhism, nor Taoism nor any other existing philosophy. It is rather a hard won and practical philosophy, almost a code of conduct and a way of viewing the world that is not bound by esoteric nor abstract thinking. Instead, his writing is about a gradual awakening and clarity of thought that his many and varied experiences led him to. Despite being written by a rampant, unwashed and bewilderingly intelligent swordsman with an odd smattering of formal education, his ability to elucidate the intricacies of strategy and apply it to all aspects of life are staggering and surprisingly relevant even now. You do not have to be a fan of Japan, Samurai, the Edo period, eastern philosophy or any other genre you may want to file this book under in order to appreciate it. It is relatively short, easy to read, to the point and like the man himself, deadly accurate. Enjoy the genius that is The Book of Five Rings.
This is for the version upgraded to audio.
This is the first time I have listened to this classic Japanese work having read it twice before this audio version. I must say that it is much better listening to an excellent narration than to the voice in my head. The principles applied in this book explained through the use of the samari sword has stood the test of time. These principles have been successfully adopted and applied in Japanese business in the modern age. It is a wonderful little book that I will probably listen to again sometime in the future.
