The culmination of 25 years of research, Alex Bennett's groundbreaking English translation of Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings reveals the true meaning of the original work.
This piece of writing by famed samurai Musashi (1584-1645) is the single-most influential work on samurai swordsmanship, offering insights into samurai history, the Zen Buddhist state of "no-mind" that enables warriors to triumph and the philosophical meaning of Bushido "the way of the warrior."
Until now, most English translations of The Book of Five Rings have been based on a single inaccurate copy of Musashi's long-lost original, transcribed twenty-two years after his death. Bennett's translation is the first to be based on a careful reconstruction of the text by Japan's foremost Musashi scholar. By identifying discrepancies among the existing copies, adding missing text and correcting over 150 miscopied characters, this source is the closest representation of Musashi's original work possible. Utilizing this new source, Bennett captures the subtle nuance of the classic Japanese text, resulting in the most accurate English translation of The Book of Five Rings available.
The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works is richly annotated by Bennett, including an extensive introduction and translations of Musashi's other writings. As a scholar and skilled martial artist, Bennett's understanding of Musashi's methods provides a unique perspective.
This book will be widely read by those interested in Japanese culture, Samurai history and martial arts setting a new standard against which all other translations will be measured.
About the Authors
Alex Bennett holds two doctoral degrees in Japanese literature and history from Kyoto University and the University of Canterbury (NZ). He teaches courses in Japanese history, martial arts, and Budo theory at Kansai University. He is Vice President of the International Naginata Federation, International Committee Member of the All Japan Kendo Federation, Director of the Japanese Academy of Budo, and Head Coach of the NZ Kendo national team. He co-founded and edits Kendo World, the first English-language journal dedicated to Kendo.
He holds black belt grades of Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan, Iaido 5-dan and Naginata 5-dan. He has competed successfully in many international competitions, taking second place in the World Naginata Championships in 2011, and best 8 in the team event at the World Kendo Championships in 2012. His published works include Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan, Hagakure, Kendo: Culture of the Sword, Bushido Explained, Japan: The Ultimate Samurai Guide and numerous translations of Japanese martial arts texts.
Foreword writer Graham Sayer has been president of the New Zealand Kendo Federation since 1987. He attained 4th Dan grade in Japan before moving back to New Zealand in 1985. He has represented New Zealand and competed in Kendo Championships around the world since then. Today he holds the rank of Kyoshi 7th Dan and also serves as auditor for the International Kendo Federation.
Industry Reviews
"...artfully translated by Bennett...color illustrations enhance this superb new edition of a classic, an evident labor of love." -- Publishers Weekly
"Dr. Bennett possesses a profound knowledge of, and deep insight into, the world of Japanese bushido. This expertise has been enhanced by his extensive practical experience of the traditional martial arts of Japan, and his proficiency in this domain is highly acclaimed." -- Tetsuo Yamaori, former Director of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies
"This is a very good edition of this important document, made more valuable by the lengthy introduction and the inclusion of all six of the works currently attributed to Miyamoto Musashi, which allow us to see how his views developed, and places the famous Book of Five Rings into the context of his life." -- History of War blog
