|
i enjoyed it very much and my boyfriend was very happy with it we plan on buying more books like this one. I thought it was a great book and very well written. I bought it for my boyfriend as a birthday gift. I ended up reading it too because he talk so great about it.
However, in later chapters Musashi goes into great detail on sword fighting techniques which are not very useful as there is no visual aide to assume the forms he describes. He did not write this book until he was in his fifties after countless battles, contemplation, and practice in becoming a true martial artist. It is interesting to note that Musashi also believes like many people do that the greatest enemy is in fact oneself. The Ninja originally adopted these ideas from an ancient Chinese scroll on warfare.
Miyamoto Musashi is a famous Japanese Samurai who was in at least 60 duels often to the death across Japan fighting various warriors from many styles of fighting. If you want to learn sword fighting techniques I suggest "Shinobi Gatana" (GHOST BLADE) by Steven Hayes - one of the only Americans ever trained by the last Grand Master of Ninjitsu (unfortunately it is hard to come by and only available on VHS). This is a very good book from the philosophical standpoint of following Zen and overcoming obstacles and opponents. Musashi supposedly never lost a duel which is not entirely true as at least on one occasion he fled a battle when the odds were against him.
The five elements or "rings" as Musashi calls them are Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, and Void. Musashi's book is a journey into the mind of a true martial artist, his ideals and techniques were just as relevant in his time as our own. Musashi lived until the ripe old age of 60 which was old back in the time of the samurai. Mushashi's belief system in the five rings or elements that must be mastered to defeat your enemy is the same belief system that the Ninja in ancient Japan had.
highly recommended. It really opens your mind about how the Martial arts and how to live your life like a martial artist.
This is a amazing read and you will find out more about yourself than you would know if you take the time to study this book. Most books I read to gain an advantage in business, sales or negotiating skills. Studying the great leaders and warriors throughout history has many advantages so you can help beat the odds against you. I came out with more questions about myself after reading the book and reflecting about the future. This book was written hundreds of years ago but is relevant for business or personal life. I have not read any other versions of this book nor will I.
It can teach you to focus while detaching yourself from a volatile situation, and can teach you how to experience peace of the deepest form in a violent, confusing world. Miyamoto's many writings delve not only into martial arts, but can be applied much more broadly as a way of meditation and life even in today's modern world. I recommend absorbing this book a small bit at a time, and meditating on each principle until you can feel it working in your mind and life. At first glance it may appear this is simply a book on martial arts. However it is much more, encompassing the philosophy of, and necessity for, living the Way of Martial Arts.
|
