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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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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.
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What listeners say about The Complete Book of Five Rings

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Book of five rings

I loved this audio book very easy to listen to and it flew in, I love these ancient books.😀

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Truely enteraining and Instructive.

I have long since wanted to learn of Miyamoto Musashi, coming across plenty of sauces with a sense of unjust bias again the man. now that his very own tests are published in full. I can honestly say that this book. by far well worth my time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking understand the mindset behind the man and Japanese culture.

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helpful philosophy

I loved the life and history of musashi, his philosophy really helped me connect things

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Not Simply the Book But Indepth Analysis Too

I understand the criticisms about the length of this version of The Book of Five Rings. However it has a lot of added value, considering context (cultural, political, language, etc) and the life of Miyamoto Musashi. Having read other versions I found this additional information really added value to my understanding of the book itself.

If you're just looking for the book itself, there are certainly shorter versions, but if you'd like to delve a little deeper this is well worth the time investment in my opinion.

Narration was very clear and engaging too.

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Fantastic narration of a great story

Despite not being a martial artist nor passionate about swords I truly identified myself with the way this can be applied to all arts in all walks of life.
The passionate way the narrator transmitted the message makes it 10x more valuable.
I truly recommend this particular reading.

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Repetitive instructions

Interesting to learn about the ancient way of the sword. But for me it was a bit to much a combining of short descriptions of attack types, instead of a story.

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Awesome

if your into martial arts this is a must read, although samurai and sword based no matter what your discipline you will learn something from this.

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Great listen

Thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Musashi and the life he led from his teachings. Ypu can get a feel that he was pursuing a greater way and possibly did actually find what he was looking for at the end from his teachings. Some of which may even be useful in today's modern world. Great listen.

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Solid and thorough understanding of strategy

a brilliant audio book to own, I am grateful for having this in my collection

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Great book, the lessons are still relevant.

Relevant and engaging the lessons are as applicable today as they were 600 years ago.

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