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The Complete Book of Five Rings

By: Miyamoto Musashi, Kenji Tokitsu - editor/translator
Narrated by: Brian Nishii
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Publisher's Summary

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.

What listeners say about The Complete Book of Five Rings

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  • Overall
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Sword techniques and insight that grows on you

I initially started listening with the intention of inspiring a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. As the book progressed, I increasingly noticed profound and broadly applicable insight behind the concepts. At one point, I watched my cat leap high in the air to catch a bird sitting in a tree, and my vicarious experience of her strategy mirrored what I was listening to at that moment.

Although myself and many raised to chase the spark of pleasure and success may struggle to truly understand Musashi, particularly regarding his thoughts on emptiness, an attempt to intuit feels braver than passive resignation. At the very least, be wary of misinterpreting emptiness as nihilism.

There were many explanations of techniques and strategy that could add flavour to a story or game. The narrator had exceptional pacing, clarity and tone. This listening experience was a good one.

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7 people found this helpful

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Great book and narration

An exellent interoperation of musashi's scrolls with a martialist take on it. Beautifully narrated and I like the comparative analysis between the different scrolls.

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2 people found this helpful

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Core strategy

Excellent strategy book, good translation and well read. Real applicable strategies for life and business in the modern world

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1 person found this helpful

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  • 03-08-2016

Brilliantly narrated

I think this book would probably be better to have as a physical copy. The ability to go back and really look at Miyamoto's points and highlight certain bits I think is necessary to really get the most out of it

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Consistency of voice

Mellifluously spoken, if slow but that, in part, is of the substance and purpose of the book

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Thorough and Accurate

A well told translation of an important document, no biases or unnecessary diversions from the original.

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If your a practitioner of kendo or the martial art

If you're a practitioner of kendo or the martial arts you can find value from this textbook. There are plenty of ahh ha moments in this book that can help a beginner to a lifetime of experience. don't pass it by it's free and I would have gladly paid for this book, I will be ordering the hard copy right away.

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Relatable to our time. A faithful retelling.

The author introduction gives excellent context, which aids the translation. He speaks with authority as a practitioner and historian.

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Amazing

Wonderfully narrated and perfect translation. Spoken and presented with authority. An important listen for any martial artist or strategist.

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A must have for anyone who follows Bushido

I have lived what I would consider a budo lifestyle for the last 10+ years and Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings has been a consistent read for me every 2 years or so. having this audiobook available is very helpful and I feel a deeper understanding of is writings and will definitely keep re-listening to this book going forward.

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