About this title: The BOOK OF FIVE RINGS is a legendary Japanese text written in the 17th century by an undefeated samurai, Miyamoto Musashi. Like THE ART OF WAR, it contains a timeless philosophy that has been interpreted over many centuries and applied to many contexts (violent or not) that require strength, fortitude, and focus. This particular translation by ...
read more
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Shambhala Publications, Boston
Date Published: 1993
ISBN-13:9780877738688ISBN:0877738688
Description: Good. No Jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. 114, (2) pp. Sixth printing. Faint moisture wrinkling to the upper and lower edges of the text. The binding is tight and square, and the text is clean. read more
Description: Very Good- As issued No Jacket. Slight spine lean, corner bumps, a couple of scuffs to the rear cover, and other light shopwear. Text is clean. A classic of martial arts studied by soldiers and businessmen alike. read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Date Published: 1993
ISBN-13:9780877738688ISBN:0877738688
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 116 p. Shambhala Dragon Editions. Audience: General/trade. First printing. New new. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Shambhala
Date Published: 1993-04-13
ISBN-13:9780877738688ISBN:0877738688
Description: Very Good. *** Softcover in Very Good-condition. Binding tight, pages clean. No previous owner names. Cover opens widely, light edgewear to bottom of spine. *** read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Shambhala
Date Published: 1993
ISBN-13:9780877738688ISBN:0877738688
Description: Very Good + 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Very-good+, clean condition. NO remainder marks or clippings. Covers are clean (NO tears). 116 pages. NO writing, marks or tears inside book. Tight spine, bright pages. Synopsis For almost 400 years The Book of Five Rings has been the all time classic on Strategy, Leadership, and Warrior philosophy. Annotation Since the publication of its first English translation in 1974, The Book of Five Rings has become an underground classic in the American business ... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Kodansha International
Date Published: 3/1/2002
ISBN-13:9784770028013ISBN:4770028016
Description: Very Good. 4770028016 Very Good Condition and Unread! Text is clean and unmarked! Tear to dust jacket. --Be Sure to Compare Seller Feedback and Ratings before Purchasing-- read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Shambhala Boston, MA 1993,
ISBN-13:9780877738688ISBN:0877738688
Description: Octavo, softcover, fine in yellow pictorial wraps. This is a new translation by Thomas Clear which includes Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori. Written not only for martial artists but for leaders in all professions, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. 116 pp. includes extensive bibliography. read more
Edition: 6th printing
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Shambhala; Dragon Editions, Boston
Date Published: 1993
ISBN-13:9780877738688ISBN:0877738688
Description: Fine. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. xix, 116 pp., biblio.; 23 cm. A new translation from the Japanese by Thomas Cleary, including The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of Qar, by Yagyu Munenori. Tight, clean copy. "Here 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 leaders in all professions, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level ... read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Shambhala Publications, United States
Date Published: 1993
ISBN-13:9780877738688ISBN:0877738688
Description: Near Fine + A beautiful copy with a new translation from Japanese by Thomas Cleary. This includes the book of family traditions on the art of war by Yagyu Munenori. read more
Description: New. Orders placed after Dec. 7 cannot be guaranteed delivery before Christmas GREAT BUY. Brand New From US Distributor. WE ARE A 5 STAR SELLER with OVER 3, 500, 000 BOOKS SOLD. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Kodansha Amer Inc
Date Published: 2002-03-01
ISBN-13:9784770028013ISBN:4770028016
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9784770028013. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Kodansha International
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9784770028013ISBN:4770028016
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Description: Good. Only lightly used. Book has minimal wear to cover and binding. A few pages may have small creases and minimal underlining. Book selection as BIG as Texas. read more
"Pay no attention to my rating, as this is not a judgement on Musashi's book, but rather the audio version of the book. For me, Musashi's Book of Five Rings is a book that, after listening to it, I learned that I could only truly understand his writings by reading it and then, rereading it.
The Book of Five Rings is similar to Sun Tsu's Art of War, in that it was a book written in a different time for a different situation, but even so, it is timeless in it's applications to life, business, martial arts and other areas.
Five Rings seperates itself into Five Books : Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Void. Each of these books deals with a seperate aspect of the whole Way that Musashi teaches.
This book, especially the audio version, is not meant to be understood, let alone applied or mastered upon first venture. This is a study material to return to and reflect upon time and time again.
Because of this, for Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings I cannot truly give a rating."
"I'll be honest, I only read about halfway through the book. I had wanted to read it because I thought it was about the history and legend of the samurai period of Japan. In actuality, it is a book on strategy and technique for sword fighting, war, and the samurai code. In some ways it is similar to Sun Tzu's The Art of War. The publishers of this edition of the book mentioned several times that businessmen in today's world could use the teachings of Miyamoto to "vanquish" the competition and make their businesses do well. Well yay for them. I just wanted some cool stories of samurai challenges and battles and whatnot. Which I didn't find here."
"Unlike Sun Tzu, this is a very cryptic and almost a purist's philosophical text. Very introspective in nature.
It is infinitely easier to comprehend and process (or at least begin to) with at least a basic understanding of the Kendo martial art before going into it... the psychological disciplines involved moreso than the actual swordsman techniques, though knowledge of both seems like an obvious requirement as some of the examples assume the reader knows how the mind & body flows through certain sword movements.
If one of the following applies to you, it will completely go over your head: 1) You have a politically-correct-knee-jerk-reaction to anything that is pro-warfare 2) You have a morbid fear of the concept of hermitage 3) You're one of those "martial artists" that trains just to feel "tough" about yourself
oh, and skip the intro... read a bio about Musashi somewhere else if need be, but skip it. It is so nullifying (and littered with inaccuracies) that you will need to step away from the book for at least a few hours before feeling purged and fresh again."
"Look, if you don't carry around two swords and challenge other masters, this book may seem like a stretch...but as you gathered I am not dual-sword carrying master and I really enjoyed the short text.
Take-away thesis: - If you choose to engage someone in battle do it entirely, with every intent to vanquish your opponent...this seems like a good rule for anything in life - The Way is beset by many distractions, but all may be overcome with practice, discipline and introspection.
We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.
rating
