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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 Development
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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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I loved the life and history of musashi, his philosophy really helped me connect things

helpful philosophy

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It was not too bad, I’m now a master of the sword, could read again.

A’right

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Narrator did a very good job narrative and translating what it otherwise a very challenging book.

Amazing narration by the narrator!

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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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