Musashi - Five Rings - Which Version

Gilebert · Post by **Gilebert** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:35 am

Okay...

So I don't derail another thread... which version of Musashi should one pick up?

I was looking at Amazon and there are at least 5 different books listed as dealing with the Five Rings...

Also, Which of the Sun Tzu books?

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi (Kindle Edition)

The Book of Five Rings: Miyamoto Musashi by D. E. Tarver and Miyamoto Musashi

Musashi's Book of Five Rings: The Definitive Interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi's Classic Book of Strategy

Musashi's Book of Five Rings: The Definitive Interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi's Classic Book of Strategy by Stephen F. Kaufman and Musashi Miyamoto

A Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho: 1645) by Miyamoto Musashi (Kindle Edition )

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Art of War by Sun Tzu & The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition

The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition by Sun Tzu and Lionel Giles

The Art of War (Shambhala Classics) by Sun Tzu

The Art of War by Sun Tzu and Thomas Cleary (Mass Market Paperback)

Sun-Tzu: The Art of War (History and Warfare) by Ralph D. Sawyer

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:29 am

Most of the Sun Tzu translations are fine.

You should read Macchiavelli as well.

As for Musashi, there was a recent bio of him that contains ALL his writings, as well as tons of other commentary by famous Kendoists- it's amazing.

Diglach Mac Cein · Post by **Diglach Mac Cein** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:41 am

Thing to remember is that in most translations, it is "word for word", or as close as they can get. This isn't necessarily a good thing, as many of the word and term used don't mean the same thing from Japanese to English, especially when talking about philosophy, which is much of what Book of the 5 Rings is really about.

Dmitriy · Post by **Dmitriy** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:24 am

I like Kaufman's translation. You have to watch out for the ones that are oriented at the MBA crowd.

Gilebert · Post by **Gilebert** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:11 am

Dmitriy wrote:I like Kaufman's translation. You have to watch out for the ones that are oriented at the MBA crowd.

I saw those. Quite a few had that kind of a title.. how to succeed in business type heading.

Thanks for the input, everyone...

Leo Medii · Post by **Leo Medii** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:52 pm

As for Musashi, there was a recent bio of him that contains ALL his writings, as well as tons of other commentary by famous Kendoists- it's amazing.

Where might one find this book?

I prefer the direct translations since I am not yet fluent in japanese, that way if I understand it fine, or I don't, and don't let someone elses outlook on the teachings skew them. I read the OP eds later.

Saritor · Post by **Saritor** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:37 pm

Is it this one, Vitus?

http://www.amazon.com/Miyamoto-Musashi-His-Life-Writings/dp/0834805677/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207683192&sr=8-1

Someone linked it to me the other day, and I put it up on my wish list, since it's gotten some pretty good reviews.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:56 pm

That's it.
Get that one.

Lucan Dux · Post by **Lucan Dux** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:55 pm

My favorite of the Sun Tzu "Art of War" I General Tao Hanzhang's version. isbn 0-80696638-6
This version shows the practical application of each of the concepts/principles in use during the Chinese Liberation War. Complete with maps and diagrams.

Niall Mor · Post by **Niall Mor** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:31 pm

The Kaufman translation of Musashi is geared toward the martial artist and is very good. Sir Brand MacLellan gave me my copy.