Essential Guide to Five Rings

The Complete Book of Five Rings, translated and annotated by modern martial arts master Kenji Tokitsu, is an authoritative version of the classic The Book of Five Rings by the legendary samurai swordsman Musashi. Tokitsu, who has spent most of his life researching Musashi and his works, illuminates this seminal text, along with several other writings by Musashi, including "The Mirror of the Way of Strategy," "Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy," "Forty-two Instructions on Strategy," and "The Way to Be Followed Alone," which Musashi wrote just days before his death.

These five texts, heard together, offer listeners an unusually detailed and nuanced view of Musashi's ideas on swordsmanship, strategy, and self-cultivation. Tokitsu provides historical and philosophical context, making the writings accessible and relevant to today's listeners and martial arts students.

Tokitsu's exceptional understanding of Musashi's writings and the man himself as a martial artist allows him to offer a rare insight into Musashi's historical contribution. The Mirror of the Way of Strategy, written when Musashi was in his 20s, and the two sets of strategic instructions, which were precursors to The Book of Five Rings, provide a glimpse into the evolution of Musashi's thought and the development of his martial philosophy.

The Complete Book of Five Rings, with its authoritative translation and annotation, gives readers a comprehensive and illuminating exploration of Musashi's seminal work and the broader scope of his intellectual and artistic legacy. Tokitsu's deep understanding and meticulous scholarship bring Musashi's timeless teachings to life, making this volume an invaluable resource for martial arts practitioners, historians, and anyone interested in the wisdom of this legendary figure.

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