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The Complete Book of Five Rings

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About this listen

The Complete Book of Five Rings is an authoritative version of Musashi's classic The Book of Five Rings, translated and annotated by a modern martial arts master, Kenji Tokitsu. Tokitsu has spent most of his life researching the legendary samurai swordsman and his works, and in this book he illuminates this seminal text, along with several other works by Musashi. These include "The Mirror of the Way of Strategy", which Musashi wrote when he was in his 20s; "Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy", and "Forty-two Instructions on Strategy", which were precursors to The Book of Five Rings; and "The Way to Be Followed Alone", which Musashi wrote just days before his death.

Heard together, these five texts give listeners an unusually detailed, nuanced view of Musashi's ideas on swordsmanship, strategy, and self-cultivation. Tokitsu puts all these writings into historical and philosophical context and makes them accessible and relevant to today's listeners and martial arts students. Tokitsu understands Musashi's writings - and Musashi as a martial artist - unusually well and is able to provide a rare insight into the man and his historical contribution.

©2000 Kenji Tokitsu, English Translation 2004, 2010 by Shambhala Publications, Inc. (P)2014 Audible Inc. Career Success Combat Sports & Self-Defense Eastern Martial Arts Philosophy Samurai Combat Sports Sports Thought-Provoking Inspiring Military Meditation Business Classics Career Development
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The additional insight provided
by the translator and editor are a great help to someone raised on western philosophy. listening to this clarifies so many of the differences and similarities between our culture's

you must study this well

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I understand the criticisms about the length of this version of The Book of Five Rings. However it has a lot of added value, considering context (cultural, political, language, etc) and the life of Miyamoto Musashi. Having read other versions I found this additional information really added value to my understanding of the book itself.

If you're just looking for the book itself, there are certainly shorter versions, but if you'd like to delve a little deeper this is well worth the time investment in my opinion.

Narration was very clear and engaging too.

Not Simply the Book But Indepth Analysis Too

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flew through it in a single listen, great book and I will research it further for sure

tips for life

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slow starter, but once it got going a very enlightening listen. the old world wisdom is very applicable to new world living.

Old wisdom, new world

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the recording is super glitchy.. no matter which device i play it on, half of the word in the beginning of the sentances are missing throughout th reading...bitterly dissapointed and really annoying, as its a great book full of knowledge.

great book

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