Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) is renowned as the most famous Samurai in history, and his magnum opus, the Go-Rin-Sho, continues to be read by tens of thousands annually, both in Japan and abroad. Alex Bennett's groundbreaking translation reveals the true essence of this classic text for the first time. Similar to Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Musashi's work provides profound insights not only for warriors but for anyone seeking to apply Zen Buddhist principles of awareness to achieve success. This translation illuminates Japanese history and the philosophical underpinnings of Bushido, the ancient code of the warrior. Unlike previous translations based on incomplete versions, Bennett's work is grounded in a meticulous reconstruction of the long-lost original manuscript, capturing the subtle nuances of the original Japanese text. Richly annotated and featuring an extensive introduction to Musashi's life, this edition includes a collection of his other writings, translated into English for the first time. As a respected scholar and skilled martial artist, Bennett offers unparalleled insights into Musashi's life and work. This translation will appeal to students of Japanese culture, history, military strategy, and martial arts, setting a new standard for future translations.
