This appears to be one of the latest versions of Musashi’s classic The Book of Five Rings, which has just been released in paperback. What makes this edition stand out from the rest is that there is a considerable introduction containing a biography of Musashi as well as various anecdotes pertaining to the mindset of the Samurai but most importantly, a comprehensive commentary of each section analysing the thoughts of Musashi. There are also footnotes, a glossary of Japanese place names and a section of well-presented colour photographs.

The Book of Five Rings was written in the mid 17th Century in the latter two years of Musashi’s life in the now famous reigen-do cave situated in the south of Japan on the Kyushu island. This is the famous warrior’s treatise on his approach to martial strategy for both the individual martial artist and army. Hidy Ochiai describes it as a “gift from an old warrior to those who aspire to make the most and best out of their lives.”

This version is divided up into two parts: Absolute Victory, which contains a comprehensive introduction, a biography of Musashi and a section on the Mind of a Samurai. This gives the reader, especially those approaching Musashi for the first time, a valuable insight and explanation of the swordsman’s background and mode of thought. I found this essential to understanding the direction of Musashi’s work and without this I would have struggled to grasp it otherwise. The second part is The Book of Five Rings itself, which is subdivided into five short volumes: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Ku, the philosophical part. All of these volumes are followed with an adequately detailed yet clear commentary and analysis, interpreting this work for the modern reader; in Musashi’s time, “winning meant to live and losing meant to die.” There is the odd clunky phrase used here. I’m not entirely sure that “instructional” is an actual word, but when reading this you must bear in mind that Hidy Ochiai is himself Japanese and translated this work from 17th Century Japanese into modern English; imagine trying to translate and interpret Milton’s Paradise Lost into modern Japanese, not a job I would relish!

I was also pleased to see that Hidy Ochiai was mildly critical on the odd occasion describing Musashi’s tenet of winning at all times as “so abstract”, but also a touch naïve when he states of the modern world as being a place where “battles to the death were over a long time ago.” Maybe in the training hall, but try telling that to the modern soldier serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Overall, this book is well presented and an excellent introduction to the world of Miyamoto Musashi and I would thoroughly recommend this as a first stop to reading about this famous and enigmatic swordsman.

Author Profile: Lesley Jackson

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Lesley Jackson, black belt and Taekwondo teacher is deputy Editor of Martial Edge.

Also by Lesley Jackson:

• The Beginner’s Guide to Darkness
• Will Henshaw of Mind Body and Kick Ass Moves
• Jamie Clubb the Ealy Years