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Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings

Description:

A comprehensive study of the life, philosophies, fighting strategies, and works of the legendary samurai warrior who wrote The Book of Five Rings
 
Miyamoto Musashi, who lived in Japan in the fifteenth century, was a renowned samurai warrior. He has become a martial arts icon, known not just as an undefeated dueler, but also as a master of battlefield strategy. Kenji Tokitsu turns a critical eye on Musashi''s life and writings, separating fact from fiction, and giving a clear picture of the man behind the myth.

Musashi''s best-known work, The Book of Five Rings, provides timeless insight into the nature of conflict. Tokitsu translates and provides extensive commentary on that popular work, as well as three other short texts on strategy that were written before it, and a longer, later work entitled "The Way to Be Followed Alone." Tokitsu is a thoughtful and informed guide, putting the historical and philosophical aspects of the text into context, and illuminating the etymological nuances of particular Japanese words and phrases. As a modern martial artist and a scholar, Tokitsu provides a view of Musashi''s life and ideas that is accessible and relevant to today''s readers and martial arts students.
Read more

Review

"Miyamoto Musashi is a close look at the legendary swordsman and his treatises on swordsmanship and strategy by a Japanese martial artist. Deeply informed, and with direct and extensive knowledge of martial arts, the book, to my knowledge, has no parallel in Japan--or elsewhere."--Hiroaki Sato, author of Legends of the Samurai

About the Author

Kenji Tokitsu was born in Japan and began studying martial arts when he was a child. He has taught karate in Paris since 1971. In 1984 he founded the Shaolin-mon school, where he teaches a synthesis of the original combat arts of Japan and China. In 2001 he established the Tokitsuryu Academy to teach and promote his method. For more information, visit www.tokitsu.com. Tokitsu also holds doctorates in sociology and in Japanese language and civilization. He is the author of numerous books.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and accurate translation with lots of notes

J.W. · 11 February 2021

Like most people I expect, I got this to study Go Rin No Sho. It's a good translation from someone who is a native Japanese speaker but also very proficient in English, and who obviously understands martial arts. There are lots of notes and the author has spent a lot of time and effort attempting to convey the true meaning, or possible ones where there are multiple options. As with any translation, particularly from such an old original, there's an element of interpretation so I'd recommend comparing and contrasting with at least one other (Thomas Cleary and William Scott Wilson are both ones I've found good) but there were few times I felt Tokitsu's own opinions didn't clearly reflect Musashi's intent.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good purchase

R.A.M.R. · 24 July 2021

Good reading... A bit heavy but a good book

5.0 out of 5 stars good condition

T. · 27 August 2021

great book

5.0 out of 5 stars Good

K.C. · 30 May 2011

Came on time, was in great condition can't ask more than that.Oh and the book is a great read as well, can be boring in some parts but just hang in their.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal companion to Go Rin No Sho

G. · 19 July 2009

I read Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings) a decade and a half ago, it is a great book but lacks of the clarity in translation that Sun Tzu's Art of War has. Kenji Tokitsu manages to fill in many of the gaps by providing a better understanding of the man himself and how the concepts he discussed in Go Rin No Sho changed over time with Japanese society.Go Rin No Sho is valuable because of the insights that it provides into strategy and strategic thinking, Tokitsu has done a wealth of research and cites a comprehensive range of sources to provide as accurate a picture as could be obtained of Musashi's life. Though he still manages to make the book easy to read rather than weighing you down in the minutae of his research.I would recommend Miyamoto Musashi his life and writings as an ideal companian to reading Go Rin No Sho.

4.0 out of 5 stars A complete source

D.G. · 17 May 2009

I have recently started studying HNIR and was recommended this book. It is quite simply the best book about Musashi on the market. With a complete life history, a new translation of Go rin no sho and examples of his ink paintings. As it is written by a martial arts practitioner he really understands his subject.A must buy for those wanting to learn about Musashi.

5.0 out of 5 stars All about Musashi

G.S. · 19 November 2010

This is the best resource if you want to learn about , legendary Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. The book includes a detailed biography, translation of his writings (including the famous 'Book of Five Rings') with good comments and impact of his life to Japanese martial arts.Highly Recommended for any martial arts practitioner.

4.0 out of 5 stars an excelent insite to one of the greatest swordsman in japan

p.g. · 7 January 2006

for those who would like to see an indepth picture of the man who was miyamoto musashi this text is a must. the author has used many historical documents and his own experiance in the study of Budo as the basis for the comentary on the life and indeed the times of this extraordanary individual and martial artist. within the text the author also includes excelent translation and comentary on all of the writings of musashi not least his seminal work the gorin no sho (the book of five elements (or rings)), throughout the comentary on musashi's work the views of kendo masters who follow the traditions of musashi's school of swordsmanship are used to give some extra understanding of the subject matter. the resaon that i only gave this title 4 stars instead of five is it's tendancy to drift from the point in hand, especially in the later chapters. however this said this is an excellent and well thoughtout text and a MUST for anyone who has the slightest intrest in japaneese martial history.

Why you lie for?

R. · 1 May 2020

This isnt a sushi cookbook?

Get it

N.B. · 11 February 2025

Love the book

Outstanding Study of Musashi

R. · 8 June 2009

This is easily one of the best english studies of Musashi. Together with William Scott Wilson's "The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi", anyone could conduct a detailed study into the fascinating life, art, fighting method, and unique philosophy of this eccentric genius and in the process, walk away with a decent quality understanding of the history making events that occurred around the battle of Sekigahara and the siege of Osaka castle.When I followed Musashi's travels in Japan, these were the two books I used to map my journey, and the understanding I was able to develop proved priceless as I traveled the old paths and visited villages, temples, castles, mansions, battlefields, and other locations largely forgotten. This book includes a very useful chronology at the beginning.One thing I like about this book in particular is the inclusion of color plates of his art and calligraphy, of which he was a master of both. His art is accomplished using an economy of strokes to achieve an effect. He is also known to have held his brush like a sword rather than grasping it in the traditional style. Next to one of Musashi's Daruma works, the author states:"We can follow every movement of Musashi's hand as he brought the gray line from center left up to the right, turned the brush swiftly at the shoulder and then pulled the line rapidly downward."This is a very satisfying book that should please any Musashi fan, or that is certain to make a fan out of anyone who is unfamiliar with this incredible man. I can't recommend it enough.

Tokitsu e Musashi, dois grandes Mestres.

I.D. · 19 June 2021

O autor é um dos mais prestigiados mestres da actualidade e fundador de um método de ensino do Budo.

A great Study of a great Master of Strategy and the Sword

A.C. · 29 July 2005

In this work Kenji Tokitsu leads the reader through an in depth study of Musashi's life and teachings on swordsmanship and strategy, which cuts through the mythos to attempt to uncover what is truly historical. There is also a fresh translation of the Gorin no Sho, which he translates as "Writings on the Five Elements," which is commonly known as "The Book of Five Rings." There are ample notes to assist the reader in important points of the translation of terms, and other details important to an accurate understanding of the priciples, etc. that Musashi is trying to convey. There also included other texts of Musashi which preceded the Gorin no Sho. There is also an account of the development of his school (The Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu) as well as the subsequent developement of swordsmanship and Budo in general. This is a good work to read slowly and thoughtfully... a real treasure.

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Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings

Product ID: K0834805677
Condition: New

4.8

AED35880

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

This item qualifies for free delivery

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United Kingdom

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

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All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Visit the Weatherhill Inc Store

Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings

Product ID: K0834805677
Condition: New

4.8

Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings-0
Type: Paperback

AED35880

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

This item qualifies for free delivery

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United Kingdom

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

A comprehensive study of the life, philosophies, fighting strategies, and works of the legendary samurai warrior who wrote The Book of Five Rings
 
Miyamoto Musashi, who lived in Japan in the fifteenth century, was a renowned samurai warrior. He has become a martial arts icon, known not just as an undefeated dueler, but also as a master of battlefield strategy. Kenji Tokitsu turns a critical eye on Musashi''s life and writings, separating fact from fiction, and giving a clear picture of the man behind the myth.

Musashi''s best-known work, The Book of Five Rings, provides timeless insight into the nature of conflict. Tokitsu translates and provides extensive commentary on that popular work, as well as three other short texts on strategy that were written before it, and a longer, later work entitled "The Way to Be Followed Alone." Tokitsu is a thoughtful and informed guide, putting the historical and philosophical aspects of the text into context, and illuminating the etymological nuances of particular Japanese words and phrases. As a modern martial artist and a scholar, Tokitsu provides a view of Musashi''s life and ideas that is accessible and relevant to today''s readers and martial arts students.
Read more

Review

"Miyamoto Musashi is a close look at the legendary swordsman and his treatises on swordsmanship and strategy by a Japanese martial artist. Deeply informed, and with direct and extensive knowledge of martial arts, the book, to my knowledge, has no parallel in Japan--or elsewhere."--Hiroaki Sato, author of Legends of the Samurai

About the Author

Kenji Tokitsu was born in Japan and began studying martial arts when he was a child. He has taught karate in Paris since 1971. In 1984 he founded the Shaolin-mon school, where he teaches a synthesis of the original combat arts of Japan and China. In 2001 he established the Tokitsuryu Academy to teach and promote his method. For more information, visit www.tokitsu.com. Tokitsu also holds doctorates in sociology and in Japanese language and civilization. He is the author of numerous books.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and accurate translation with lots of notes

J.W. · 11 February 2021

Like most people I expect, I got this to study Go Rin No Sho. It's a good translation from someone who is a native Japanese speaker but also very proficient in English, and who obviously understands martial arts. There are lots of notes and the author has spent a lot of time and effort attempting to convey the true meaning, or possible ones where there are multiple options. As with any translation, particularly from such an old original, there's an element of interpretation so I'd recommend comparing and contrasting with at least one other (Thomas Cleary and William Scott Wilson are both ones I've found good) but there were few times I felt Tokitsu's own opinions didn't clearly reflect Musashi's intent.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good purchase

R.A.M.R. · 24 July 2021

Good reading... A bit heavy but a good book

5.0 out of 5 stars good condition

T. · 27 August 2021

great book

5.0 out of 5 stars Good

K.C. · 30 May 2011

Came on time, was in great condition can't ask more than that.Oh and the book is a great read as well, can be boring in some parts but just hang in their.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal companion to Go Rin No Sho

G. · 19 July 2009

I read Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings) a decade and a half ago, it is a great book but lacks of the clarity in translation that Sun Tzu's Art of War has. Kenji Tokitsu manages to fill in many of the gaps by providing a better understanding of the man himself and how the concepts he discussed in Go Rin No Sho changed over time with Japanese society.Go Rin No Sho is valuable because of the insights that it provides into strategy and strategic thinking, Tokitsu has done a wealth of research and cites a comprehensive range of sources to provide as accurate a picture as could be obtained of Musashi's life. Though he still manages to make the book easy to read rather than weighing you down in the minutae of his research.I would recommend Miyamoto Musashi his life and writings as an ideal companian to reading Go Rin No Sho.

4.0 out of 5 stars A complete source

D.G. · 17 May 2009

I have recently started studying HNIR and was recommended this book. It is quite simply the best book about Musashi on the market. With a complete life history, a new translation of Go rin no sho and examples of his ink paintings. As it is written by a martial arts practitioner he really understands his subject.A must buy for those wanting to learn about Musashi.

5.0 out of 5 stars All about Musashi

G.S. · 19 November 2010

This is the best resource if you want to learn about , legendary Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. The book includes a detailed biography, translation of his writings (including the famous 'Book of Five Rings') with good comments and impact of his life to Japanese martial arts.Highly Recommended for any martial arts practitioner.

4.0 out of 5 stars an excelent insite to one of the greatest swordsman in japan

p.g. · 7 January 2006

for those who would like to see an indepth picture of the man who was miyamoto musashi this text is a must. the author has used many historical documents and his own experiance in the study of Budo as the basis for the comentary on the life and indeed the times of this extraordanary individual and martial artist. within the text the author also includes excelent translation and comentary on all of the writings of musashi not least his seminal work the gorin no sho (the book of five elements (or rings)), throughout the comentary on musashi's work the views of kendo masters who follow the traditions of musashi's school of swordsmanship are used to give some extra understanding of the subject matter. the resaon that i only gave this title 4 stars instead of five is it's tendancy to drift from the point in hand, especially in the later chapters. however this said this is an excellent and well thoughtout text and a MUST for anyone who has the slightest intrest in japaneese martial history.

Why you lie for?

R. · 1 May 2020

This isnt a sushi cookbook?

Get it

N.B. · 11 February 2025

Love the book

Outstanding Study of Musashi

R. · 8 June 2009

This is easily one of the best english studies of Musashi. Together with William Scott Wilson's "The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi", anyone could conduct a detailed study into the fascinating life, art, fighting method, and unique philosophy of this eccentric genius and in the process, walk away with a decent quality understanding of the history making events that occurred around the battle of Sekigahara and the siege of Osaka castle.When I followed Musashi's travels in Japan, these were the two books I used to map my journey, and the understanding I was able to develop proved priceless as I traveled the old paths and visited villages, temples, castles, mansions, battlefields, and other locations largely forgotten. This book includes a very useful chronology at the beginning.One thing I like about this book in particular is the inclusion of color plates of his art and calligraphy, of which he was a master of both. His art is accomplished using an economy of strokes to achieve an effect. He is also known to have held his brush like a sword rather than grasping it in the traditional style. Next to one of Musashi's Daruma works, the author states:"We can follow every movement of Musashi's hand as he brought the gray line from center left up to the right, turned the brush swiftly at the shoulder and then pulled the line rapidly downward."This is a very satisfying book that should please any Musashi fan, or that is certain to make a fan out of anyone who is unfamiliar with this incredible man. I can't recommend it enough.

Tokitsu e Musashi, dois grandes Mestres.

I.D. · 19 June 2021

O autor é um dos mais prestigiados mestres da actualidade e fundador de um método de ensino do Budo.

A great Study of a great Master of Strategy and the Sword

A.C. · 29 July 2005

In this work Kenji Tokitsu leads the reader through an in depth study of Musashi's life and teachings on swordsmanship and strategy, which cuts through the mythos to attempt to uncover what is truly historical. There is also a fresh translation of the Gorin no Sho, which he translates as "Writings on the Five Elements," which is commonly known as "The Book of Five Rings." There are ample notes to assist the reader in important points of the translation of terms, and other details important to an accurate understanding of the priciples, etc. that Musashi is trying to convey. There also included other texts of Musashi which preceded the Gorin no Sho. There is also an account of the development of his school (The Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu) as well as the subsequent developement of swordsmanship and Budo in general. This is a good work to read slowly and thoughtfully... a real treasure.

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Japan”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/K0834805677