THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS GO RIN NO SHO. by Miyamoto Mushashi

[cnholmes]

THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS GO RIN NO SHO. by Miyamoto Mushashi

An aikido friend recommended this to me. Just thought I'd share. I haven't read it yet: I've put it on my reading list.

Its a work on strategy, both martial and in life in general.

Any comments anyone's got on this work would be very welcome.

Thanks,
Chris.

[Stefano]

I've read it, before giving it to my sister (she practices aikido).
It shows a lot of techniques, but also general advices.
I found it a bit far from the Shaolin perspective.

[mauro]

GO RI NO SHO

Hi Chris
Sorry for my bad english!!

I've read go ri no sho a few times!!! I find it a great book!!
It was wrote by Musashi ones of the graetest samurai of all times. But the therm samurai i think is wrong, because Musashi was a Ronin!
Wats the difference between Samurai and Ronin??
Samurais did all for his daymo (chief) .... samurai would die for his daymo if he would ask for!
Ronin had no daymo (or chief) they was like vagabunds (the most).
musashi as a ronin d'ont ever follow any daymo, but only the way of sword!! hi was spend his live to go the way of the sword!!

Go ri no sho ... i think its not intend to learn how to swing a sword , but a book of strategies to solve problems (in fight situation or not ).
The philosophie of musashi I think its not the same as shaolin ...., for ronin or samurai is a honour to die !!! i think in shaolin not !!
but musahi philosophie its not like the philosophie of hagakure most samurai followed!!

Great book!

THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION

salutos
mauro

[cnholmes]

Read it.

[Antonius]

Like it?

[cnholmes]

Yes, thanks, I did like it Apologies for the delay in response.

Here's my comments. Properly this time.

The Book Of Five Rings.
Translation by William Scott Wilson
Published by Kodansha International Ltd. 2002

Please note that in this posting I follow the convention of referring to the author by his last name, which is common to reviews of literary work. If I have ommitted any proper title he should be referred to with, then I apologize and would be grateful for a useful correction.

I would certainly recommend this book, as giving a different perspective on developing martial skill and applying it in many different areas. Its not a long book, but note that some concepts are abbreviated down to simple references to experiential learning. If you are not familiar with these concepts, you probably won't understand the section describing them. There was a lot I didn't understand.

I think this work has interesting parallels with Shaolin philosophy.

For example Musashi puts emphasis on practice without "thinking of insignificant techniques". This suggests that skills were developed rather than techniques.

In the Fire Chapter, Musashi describes three aspects of martial arts which can also be found in Shaolin Kungfu.

In the section "Pressing Down The Pillow", Musashi advises the reader to
"check your opponents strikes, suppress his stabs & break away from grappling"
This reminded me of Taming The Tiger.

The section on "Ferrying Across", the reader is advised to:
- take into account the level of your opponent
- judge your own degree of expertise
- use principles of martial arts to obtain your aim.

This advice is similar to the Four modes of preparation and the three arrivals.

This quote from the section "Moving The Shadow" is similar to Grandmaster Wong's words.

From The Complete Book of Shaolin:
" if there is form, strike the form if there is no form, strike the shadow."

From The Book of Five Rings:
"... your opponent has... his sword behind him... if you make a sudden movement as if to strike him, his thoughts will be manifested with his sword. Knowing these manifestations, you will immediately perceive a method and should know victory..."

There are further parallels can be drawn with Sun Tzu's Art Of War. For example knowing your opponent and your approach to dealing with your opponent; agitating him and forcing his hand.

There are differences between Musashi's view and Shaolin philosophy, I found these were largely the cultural differences between Japanese Samurai and Chinese Shaolin, as described in The Complete Book of Shaolin.

Its also interesting to note that Musashi worshipped Kannon.

Many Regards,
Chris.