128 pages | paperback |A definitive treatise on mortal combat from one of Japan’s most formidable warriorsthe martial arts luminary Miyamoto Musashi

This classic interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi’s famousBook of Five Ringsis explicitly intended for the martial artist–as Miyamoto Musashi originally intended.

It explains the underlying truths necessary for a full understanding of Musashi’s message for warriors. The result is an enthralling book on military strategy that combines the instincts of the warrior with the philosophies of Zen Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism and Taoism. It is a crucial book for every martial artist to read and understand.

Like the original, this classic book of strategy is divided into five sections. TheBook of Earthlays the groundwork for anyone wishing to understand Musashi’s teachings; theBook of Waterexplains the warrior’s approach to strategy; theBook of Fireteaches fundamental fighting techniques based on the Earth and Water principles; theBook of Winddescribes differences between Musashi’s own martial style and the styles of other fighting schools; while theBook of No-thingdescribes the “way of nature” as understood through an “unthinking” existing preconception.

Famed martial artist and bestselling author Stephen Kaufman has translated this classic without the usual academic or commercial bias, driving straight into the heart of Musashi’s martial teachings and interpreting them for his fellow martial artists. The result is an enthralling combination of warrior wisdom and philosophical truths that Musashi offered to other warriors who wished to master the martial way of bushido.