One of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and
victory to emerge from Asian culture, The Book of Five Rings analyzes
the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every
level of human interaction. Written by the renowned Japanese warrior
Miyamoto Musashi in 1643, its principles for achieving success in combat
have long been lauded not only for their applicability to the martial
arts but to all aspects of life. This acclaimed translation from Thomas
Cleary is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the
spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's
text, Cleary also translates another revered Japanese classic on
leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of
War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual
insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.
This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series.
The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable
teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic
texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert
Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of
the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a
compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to
everyday life.
