Читать книгу Musashi's Book of Five Rings. The Definitive Interpertation of Miyomoto Musashi's Classic Book of Strategy онлайн

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With deep reverence and profound homage to the master, I take full responsibility for the interpretation of all concepts presented herein.

Steve Kaufman, Hanshi, 10th Dan

MUSASHI’S

BOOK

OF

FIVE

RINGS

INTRODUCTION

My name is Miyamoto Musashi. I have killed over sixty men in fights and duels. When I was sixty years of age I looked back upon my life and in a flash of wisdom, realized that all my victories were based on either great luck, an innate ability, or perhaps the fact that the methods of other schools were inadequate.

When I came to terms with my own skills and abilities, the realities of what I had accomplished held me to a higher principle that left me no choice but to depart from the commerce of the world, seek isolation, and tear my soul apart so that I could examine what I already seemed to know instinctively. I practiced and meditated constantly until I came to understand the workings of the spirit.

I am considered to be the greatest swordsman Japan has ever had. It was during my fights and duels that I developed my own style of two-sword fighting. Although I was committed to my sword, I was also dedicated to learning painting, sculpture, and poetry. I instinctively felt it necessary to understand the arts and be accomplished in them. But my prime focus was on swordsmanship. I was not a particularly religious person, although I know of Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism and am aware of their tenets.