A Book of Five Rings: The Strategy of Musashi

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 745 ratings

Price: 3.67

Last update: 04-29-2025


About this item

Legendary 17th century swordsman Miyamoto Musashi’s exposition of sword fighting, strategy and Zen philosophy. Required reading for any martial artist, business person or student of strategy. Includes the one hour Zen inspired soundtrack The Mysterious Sound of Wind in the Bamboo. Performed on authentic Japanese instruments.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Jose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2024
    This book is a good read for those who are battling to win the fight not only physically but mentally.
  • F. Sweet
    5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT 17th CENTURAY SAMURAI SWORDSMAN'S ADVICE ON STRATEGY
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2006
    Based on my readings, Musashi's motive in writing his Book of Five Rings had been to correct misrepresentations of his views on swordsmanship by his contemporaries. Having become a legend in his own time, Musashi's reputation was being exploited by ambitious rivals claiming to have adopted the master's martial techniques and philosophies. Thus Book of Five Rings was intended by its author to establish his point of view for correcting misconceptions.

    Those in America who've been advocating since 1974 to study Book of Five Rings to gain some business advantage over Japanese businessmen are barking up the wrong tree. Musashi's writings are poetic and thought provoking. Indeed, one can even learn something new and ancient about strategy from the master. It is, however, doubtful that Musashi's words can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. So then those in the 1970s who had originally marketed the book as "the alternative to the Harvard MBA" were barking up the wrong tree.

    In addition to the charming and useful writings, the original (1974 English translation) Book of Five Rings includes photos of the master swordsman's quite beautiful art work, now residing in Japan in a museum dedicated to Musashi works.
  • bulldogfan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Focus and Discipline
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2024
    Mushashi's strategies are simple and timeless as they are most definitely still viable. Also a very quick read and super higlightable
  • P. V. de Metter
    3.0 out of 5 stars Book of three stars
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2008
    This book left me with a double feeling. Happiness, about being able to read about ancient wisdom and the sense it all made. Sadness, not being able to apply all knowledge in our era.

    As Sun Tzu's Art of War was written even more abstract than this book, I found it easier to convert its knowledge into practice. As this book is more focussed on the inner-self of a human being, I strongly recommend you first read some Zen books before digging in on this one. Then I would recommend Zen Mind, Beginners Mind.

    The knowledge of this book is definitly four-star material, but this translation into English misses out on some key points. Excellent to read, but don't expect any miracles without years of dedicated training.
  • Craig Daniels
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read, Re Read, Re Read and you might understand
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2000
    I read this book through once, and thought: okay, I just read a book about a 15th centurey samuri warrior, and he enlightened me all about how to fight with a sword. Great. Now what can I do with that.
    But there is more, there is much much more. This book contains within it philosophy, and a sense of the greaterness of ones self in relation to the cosmos. Musashi didn't write a book just about how to fight with an antiquated sword, he wrote a book that allows the reader to see further than their petty lives and embrace a more global way of thinking.
    Musashi wrote this book to enlighten the reader as to how he lived; and how he thought a warrior should live. And everyone today is a lawyer, whether it be in your job, in your social life or wherever, you are always fighting and planning on how to make things come out best in your favor; and this book helps you to realize these battles and win them.
    This review is very ephemeral and doesn't say much; but it is tough to explain a book of this magnitude in a small 1000 word essay. You need to read this book to gain even a slight understanding of the magnitude of it; then you can reread it and hopefully gain a little more understanding; until in 50-60 years you might understand it fully. Maybe.
    Read this book although 400 years old it applies more to today than ever.
  • Kokito
    5.0 out of 5 stars Economy, family, honor, love. Meaning.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2015
    Miyamoto musashi poured his life thoughts into this master piece. Since I was young, I heard of different Sifus and masters, how important and meaningfull where miyamoto's 5 rings. Now that in older, and had a chance to get a real copy, I can say, they where right all along.
    Taken your time to read this masterpiece. It's not a bathroom book.
    It has lessons of economy, family, humbleness, hope, honor and love. All the way.
    I'm Profoundly grateful for his work.
  • Warren W. Searles
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book of Five Rings : The Classic Guide to Strategy (Hardcover)
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2005
    The subject provided a good historical perspective on Japan's Renaissance period, post civil wars and pre-westernization. In many respects Musashi, a Ronin represents Japan's search for an identity, a country ruled by military might in the form of the Shogun, yet keeping an Emperor who they revered as a god, a god without power. This Sword Saint was a man of great prowess with a sword of wood or of steel; he was also an artist, a lithographer and an author. Yet, he was masterless, masterless in a time when righteous was measured in a retainer's devotion to his master. He was his own master, in a time when Japan had no voice, serving all, without righteous. It would take an other two hundred and fifty years or so and a world war to release the spirit of the Samurai, that being honor amongst personal sacrifice a picture painted in the person of Miyamoto Musashi struggle for perfection and personal mastery of his profession, master of the sword.
  • shannon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Legendary
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
    I have heard of his name in some books, manga, and historical. I appreciate his wisdom in focusing on certain things that are mentioned in the book. When reading his statement I could understand but only partially. Like he said some that cannot be explained, only showing through the action. That’s where this book is somewhat incomplete because knowing with your body is vastly different. it would be cool to see him in real life doing his practices. The only thing that I wished for was some art of practice to help readers like me envision the art.

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