Hagakure. Il libro segreto dei samurai

by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Maki Kasano (Translator), Marina Panatero (Editor)

Hagakure racchiude gli insegnamenti tramandati dal monaco samurai Tsunetomo all'allievo Tashiro, sotto forma di brevi aforismi che racchiudono il codice dei samurai e le regole di saggezza che guidarono la vita dell'autore. Un pensiero complesso ma sempre positivo, ben diverso dallo stereotipo del kamikaze votato all'annullamento di sé.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, History, Japan, Martial Arts, Classics, Japanese Literature

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1716

About the author

Yamamoto Tsunetomo (山本 常朝), also read Yamamoto Jōchō (June 11, 1659 – November 30, 1719), was a samurai of the Saga Domain in Hizen Province under his lord Nabeshima Mitsushige.

For thirty years Yamamoto devoted his life to the service of his lord and clan. When Nabeshima died in 1700, Yamamoto did not choose to follow his master in death in junshi because the master had expressed a dislike of the practice in his life. After some disagreements with Nabeshima's successor, Yamamoto renounced the world and retired to a hermitage in the mountains. Later in life (between 1709 and 1716), he narrated many of his thoughts to a fellow samurai, Tashiro Tsuramoto. Many of these aphorisms concerned his lord's father and grandfather Naoshige and the failing ways of the samurai caste. These commentaries were compiled and published in 1716 under the title of Hagakure, a word that can be translated as either In the Shadow of Leaves or Hidden Leaves.

The Hagakure was not widely known during the years following Tsunetomo's death, but by the 1930s it had become one of the most famous representatives of bushido taught in Japan. In 2011 a manga/comic book version was published Hagakure: The Manga Edition, translated by William Scott Wilson, adapted by Sean Michael Wilson and Chie Kutsuwada.

Tsunetomo believed that becoming one with death in one's thoughts, even in life, was the highest attainment of purity and focus. He felt that a resolution to die gives rise to a higher state of life, infused with beauty and grace beyond the reach of those concerned with self-preservation. Some viewed him as a man of immediate action due to some of his quotes, and in the Hagakure he criticized the carefully planned Akō vendetta of the Forty-seven rōnin (a major event in his lifetime) for its delayed response.

Yamamoto Tsunetomo is also known as Yamamoto Jōchō, the name he took after retiring and becoming a monk.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the randomness of this book. One paragraph is a about how to wear your awesome samurai hat, and the next is about the proper way to decapitate someone.

[فؤاد · Rating 4 out of 5]

یاماموتو چونه تومو
ياماموتو چونه تومو، يك سامورايى كهنه كار، پس از مردن اميرش، مى خواهد به سنت سامورايى ها، دست به سپوکه بزند و خود را همراه اميرش بكشد، اما پيش از اين، همين امير فرمان مؤكد بر لغو اين سنت داده. ياماموتو، بين تبعيت از سنت و تبعيت از امير فقيد، دومى را بر مى گزيند.
از سامورايى گرى كناره مى گيرد، موها را مى تراشد و به سلك راهبى بودايى در مى آيد.
سال ها بعد، سامورايى جوانى به ياماموتو بر مى خورد و ملازم او مى شود و حكمت ها و گزين گويه هايش را ياد داشت مى كند. مجموعۀ اين گزين گويه ها، كتاب هاگاكوره را تشكيل مى دهد، كتابى غريب در اخلاق سامورايى گرى.

کتاب
کتاب از همان نخستین اندرز به صراحت اعلام می کند که "طریقت سامورایی بر مرگ استوار است، آن گاه که باید میان مرگ و زندگی یکی را انتخاب کنی، بی درنگ مرگ را برگزین" و سرتاسر کتاب چیزی نیست جز تکرار این اندرز به انحای مختلف. بندی از کتاب نیست که در آن اشاره ای به مرگ نشده باشد، حکایتی از سامورایی ها نقل نمی شود که در آن سامورایی ها به دلایلی که برای ما هیچ و پوچ می نماید دست به سپوکه نزده باشند. بزرگ ترین فضیلتی که یاماموتو برای آدمی بر می شمارد، پذیرفتن مرگ با وقار و آرامش، و در مقابل بی ارزش شمردن تمام شؤون این جهانی است. چرا که وقتی چیزی در این جهان برای کسی ارزش نداشته باشد، دیگر چه کاری برایش باقی می ماند جز آماده شدن برای مرگ؟ یاماموتو تعلیم می دهد که سامورایی با چه روغن هایی صورت را تدهین کند، تا پس از مرگ تا چند روز چهره اش شاداب بماند، چگونه هر روز از شمشیر و زره زنگار بگیرد و موهایش را مرتب کند که اگر زمان مرگش رسید به نظر ناآماده نرسد، و هر روز به انحای مختلف مرگ که ممکن است برایش روی دهد فکر کند و خود را "از پیش مرده بینگارد".

این حد از مرگ اندیشی را تنها در تأملات مارکوس اورلیوس دیده ام، و این کتاب حتی در جایگاه بالاتری نسبت به تأملات قرار می گیرد. چرا که در این جا، مرگ نه به عنوان نقطۀ پایان گریزناپذیر زندگی، بلکه به عنوان غایت زندگی، هدفی که تمام حرکت ها باید رو به سوی آن داشته باشد، معرفی می شود. این مرگ، مرگ محض است. مرگی نیست که به خاطر زندگی پس از مرگ ارزش یافته باشد، یاماموتو که اکنون راهبی بودایی است و باید غایتش بودا شدن و رستگاری باشد، می گوید هرگز آرزوی رستگار شدن در سر نداشته، بلکه در مقابل اگر قرار است زندگی ای پس از مرگ باشد، دوست می دارد که باز در هیئت سامورایی به جهان برگردد تا باز بتواند بمیرد. نیستی محض. در مقابل هر چه رنگی از هستی دارد، چه هستی این جهانی یا آن جهانی.

عنوان ثانوی کتاب، "کتاب سامورایی" است. اما خود یاماموتو اساس و بنیاد سامورایی گری را "مرگ" می داند. در نتیجه می توان عنوان ثانوی گویاتری برای کتاب انتخاب کرد: "هاگاکوره: کتاب مرگ".

من
این کتاب را نباید یک جا و پیوسته خواند. دفعۀ قبل این اشتباه را کردم، و نتیجه این شد که از میانۀ کتاب کم کم خسته شدم. در عوض بهتر است کتاب پراکنده و هر بار تنها چند بند یا حکایت از کتاب خوانده شود، کاری که در مرتبۀ دوم انجام دادم و در فرصت های کوتاه و وقت های بین کارها تکه تکه آن را خواندم.
به این ترتیب کتاب تازگی اش را حفظ می کند و تبدیل به "ذکر" می شود: گفتاری که به طور مستمر تکرار می شود تا چیزی را به یاد آدمی بیاورد، در این جا: مرگ.

[Chance · Rating 3 out of 5]

It irks me that people don't know the history of this book.

A lot of people seem to read it assuming that it's some sort of rule book that the samurai class carried around in their kimonos so as to follow its writings without err.

This is not the case. The book was written after 100 years of peace in Japan, when the samurai class was transforming into an administrative class.

Yes, that's right -- the author was some pencil-pusher for the state.

This doesn't mean it isn't an interesting book. Thinking about who Tsunetomo was can arguably make the book more interesting -- it's his romanticized, idyllic vision of what samurai are (or were) supposed to be.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best exposition on bushidō I have ever read. I have given this book as a gift to several friends who decided to start practicing martial arts; the lessons transcend any given school or discipline. When I fenced competitively in college I would find inspiration in examples taken from this book - lessons that helped me to focus on trying to maintain a mental edge against my opponents. Was happy to read this concise translation finally.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hagakure (Kyūjitai: 葉隱; Shinjitai: 葉隠; meaning Hidden by the Leaves or hidden leaves),[1] or Hagakure Kikigaki (葉隠聞書) is a practical and spiritual guide for a warrior, drawn from a collection of commentaries by the clerk Yamamoto Tsunetomo, former retainer to Nabeshima Mitsushige, the third ruler of what is now Saga Prefecture in Japan. Tashiro Tsuramoto (ja) compiled these commentaries from his conversations with Tsunetomo from 1709 to 1716; however, it was not published until many years afterwards. Written during a time when there was no officially sanctioned samurai fighting, the book grapples with the dilemma of maintaining a warrior class in the absence of war and reflects the author's nostalgia for a world that had disappeared before he was born



This was so interesting and gave the absolute weirdest look into feudal samurai society. Review to come soon! I'm back everyone :)

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive book of my adult life.

This book was popularized in the film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, showing an assassin for the mob who lives according to the his interpretation of the principles of this book. That is how I first came across the book, and since then the book has been a central part of my life.

The book is some 300 excerpts from a total of about 1,300 dictated to Yamamoto's attendant over the course of 7 years, between 1710 and 1716. Yamamoto was a samurai born some 60 years into the Tokagawa era, the beginning of peace in Japan that would force the samurai class to redefine their role in society. Yamamoto holds strong to the principles, attitudes and teachings of an era of warfare before his own time, emphasizing extremism and fanaticism as an antidote to the mediocrity, laziness, foolishness and self-interest of the fellow samurai of his time.

For all the criticisms I have read over the years about this book, most of them, while perhaps valid, overlook the wisdom and vitality of so much of his writing. While at times he insists on brashness over hesitation and violence and capital punishment over cowardice, he also advocates repeatedly to live and act with a compassionate attitude and to lighten a punishment on a condemned man when fitting. Several of the passages appear, at least at an initial reading, to contradict each other. I doubt Yamamoto would be concerned with that criticism. His main concern is investigating what it means to be a samurai; all the complications and problems discussed are meant for consideration, not for finding straightforward answers. Yamamoto offers no answers, but instead demands the proper attitude for a samurai.

This book is not for the general public. I recommend it for anyone interested in samurai culture, military literature, Japanese literature, the martial arts, or philosophy.

[Barney · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, want to read a book written by a mid-level clerk about samurai that never existed in his own time? A book whose message was corrupted by the militaristic rulers of Japan following the Meiji Resotoration?

If so, you've found the book you are looking for. This is a steamy pile, so bring some fresh gloves. If your black belt instructor is making you read this, hit him (or her) in the knee with it and ask for your money back. This is a prime example of how something awful can be made uniquely terrible in the right hands.

[Ali Karimnejad · Rating 4 out of 5]

به طرز عجیبی شیفته این کتاب شدم... برای بار سوم طی 2 ماه، مجدد شروع کردم به خوندنش.

[LW · Rating 4 out of 5]

da consultare ,nel caso si voglia cercare di capire cosa puo' passare per la testa ad un samurai...
(o ronin che sia)
che poi è questo,fondamentalmente :
Kezuke no Kubi
:)

si può imparare qualcosa da un temporale. Quando un acquazzone ci sorprende,
cerchiamo di non bagnarci affrettando il passo, ma anche tentando di ripararci sotto
i cornicioni ci inzuppiamo ugualmente. Se invece, sin dal principio, accettiamo di bagnarci
eviteremo ogni incertezza e non per questo ci bagneremo di più. Tale consapevolezza si
applica a tutte le cose.

[Rodrigo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pues no era lo que yo esperaba pero ha habido algunas frases interesantes para reflexionar.
5/10
Sinopsis: Hagakure («En la sombra de las hojas») es un manual para las clases samurais que consiste en una serie de breves anécdotas y de reflexiones que al mismo tiempo aportan introspección y conocimiento acerca de la filosofía y del código de comportamiento que promueve el verdadero espíritu del Bushido -El camino del guerrero-. No tienes en tus manos un libro de filosofía -como se podría interpretar a priori-, sino una colección de pensamientos y sentencias compilados durante un periodo de siete años, y que cubren una amplia variedad de temas sin un orden preestablecido. El trabajo representa una actitud muy diferente de nuestro moderno pragmatismo y materialismo, y posee un encanto intuitivo más que racional en su afirmación de que el Bushido es una Forma de Morir, y que un samurai vasallo se encuentra siempre presto y deseoso de morir en cualquier momento para ser totalmente fiel con su señor. Hagakure fue un texto que se mantuvo secreto durante muchos años y sólo iba dirigido al guerrero vasallo del feudo de Hizen, al cual perteneció el autor. Posteriormente, este tratado llegó a convertirse en un clásico de la filosofía y del pensamiento samuráis.
# 20. El libro que este en la mitad de tu lista de goodreads. Reto Literario pendientes 2022.

[R. Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading Hakagure, I immediately donned my fedora and stormed up the basement steps. "Mommy-chan!" I panted, my trenchcoat blowing in the wind, "I am a kendoka samurai now. I wish to use my allowance to purchase a katana instead of pizza rolls." She wrinkled her nose and told me that my sister had been making complaints about my hygiene, so I told her that the teachings of Yamamoto say "it is better to not bring up daughters, for they are a blemish to the family name" (page 84). I also lectured her on the parable of Daimyo Katsushige, who, in his wisdom, hid his fingernail clippings from his servant (page 104). Then I glided away on my heelies to spread the Way of the Samurai.

[مجید اسطیری · Rating 3 out of 5]

_
اگر کسی بگوید شرط سامورایی بودن در یک کلام چیست، باید گفت اساس آن سر سپردن در راه امیر است. و اگر کسی بازپرسد پس از آن چه، باید گفت بالاتر از هر چیز آن است که سامورایی در جان خویش، خرد، انسانیت و شجاعت داشته باشد. داشتن این سه فضيلت شاید برای مردم عادی دور از دسترس به نظر آید، اما برای سامورایی سهل است. خرد چیزی نیست جز در میان گذاشتن امور با دیگران، حکمت بی پایان از همین نشئت می گیرد. انسانیت حاصل کار کردن برای دیگران و رنج بردن برای آنان و ارجح دانستن آنان است. شجاعت یعنی دندان های خویش را به هم فشردن و به پیش رفتن. با دندانهای به هم فشرده به پیش رو؛ این است شجاعت. و توجهی به شرایط نکن. نیازی به دانستن هر چیزی که فراتر از این سه باشد نیست.

به نظرم بهترین برش از کتاب که میتواند چکیده اثر را بیان کند همین چند سطر بالا باشد
خب این کتاب که به نظرم میتوان آن را یک کتاب اخلاق دانست اصلا ساختارمند نیست. مجموعه ای از حکایات سامورایی ها است که میتوان از آنها مرواریدهای حکمت را بیرون کشید. به علاوه دریافت های خود یاماموتو چونه تومو از سلوک سامورایی که آنها هم اصلا ساختار ندارد و به بهانه هر حکایتی او گوشه ای از دریافت هایش را میگوید و بهترین چکیده اش همین چند سطر بالا است. همان طور که قبلا درمورد کتاب "هنر رزم" نوشته بودم اینجا هم احساس کردم این کتاب جاهایی دارای تناقض است که قاعدتا ناشی از همین بی ساختار بودن است. اما بی ساختار بودن خصلت این نظام فکری است. یک سامورایی است که میفهمد در چه موقفی کدام دستورالعمل را به کار بندد و از روی این کتاب نمیتوان کسی را تبدیل به سامورایی کرد.
اگر میخواهید بازتاب این ایده آلیسم را در رمان ببینید توصیه میکنم آثار "Yukio Mishima" را بخوانید. هرچند شاید هیچ کدام از آثارش به اندازه ماجرای خودکشی دراماتیکش روی شما تاثیر نگذارد

[Ramin Azodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

هاگاکوره بیان دقیق و روشنی از طریقت سامورایی نیست. اما بدون شک در معرفی این طریقت به صورت حکایت‌وار، مختصر و مفید، موفق بوده است.
برای من" مثال‌های خلاقانه‌ای که در ضمن پند‌های اخلاقی‌اش می‌آورد خیلی جالب بود و همچنین تاکید همیشگی‌اش بر مرگ گریز ناپذیر و به قول خودش،" خود را همواره چون مرده انگاشتن
فصل هفت و هشت "برای من" حوصله سر بر بود اما در دو فصل پایانی، حکایت‌ها به همان جذابیت فصول اول برگشت.
نهایتن این کتاب ممکن است باب طبع بعضی از شما نباشد خصوصن اگر با فرهنگ ژاپنی و طریقت سامورایی بیگانه باشید البته که من هم، چنان آشنای صمیمی‌ای نبودم ولی "برای من"، خواندن‌اش لذت بخش بود.

بازخوانی دوم برای قسمت نوزدهم پادکست کنارش انجام شد به همراه بازبینی فیلم گوست داگ.

[Nate Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

"After reading a few books such as this one, I feel I am starting to have an understanding of Japanese heritage and history. There is so much wisdom to be learned from them but also many problems with their ancient society that they are still struggling with today. NOTE: Because of the film Ghost Dog I imagined Forest Whitaker's voice reading this to me in my head the entire time."

[Hessam Ghaeminejad · Rating 4 out of 5]

اولین بار اسم هاگاکوره یا بوشیدو در اوایل سال ۲۰۰۰ در هنگام تماشای اثر تحسین برانگیز جیم جارموش بنام «گوست داگ: طریقت سامورایی» به گوشم خورد، شخصیت اصلی پس از انجام هر عملی بخش از این گزین گویی ها رو میخوند و چنان مجذوب شخصیت گوست داگ با بازی فارست ویتاکر شده بودم که خوندن کتاب هاگاکوره برام تبدیل به راهی برای دست یابی روش سامورایی شده بود


درمورد کتاب باید گفت این اثر حاصل مصاحبت هفت ساله ی یاماموتوچونه تومو پیر و تاشیرو چوراموتو جوان بود و لحن نصیحت گرانه و خاطره گوی چونه تومو در آن هویداست؛ بخشی از کتاب بیشتر مسائل آیینی همچون اجرای مراسم سپوکه و هاراکیری بیان میشود ، در بخشی به بیان افتخارات امیر نابشیما می پردازد و در بخشی از اتفاقات روزمره درمنطقه امیرنشین ساگا سخن به میان می آورد اما آنچه کتاب را هیجان انگیز میکند فصول ابتدایی آن است که از طریقت سامورایی دم بر می آورد و جهان بینی یک سامورایی در عهد شوگان های ژاپن را به نمایش میگذارد ، این کتاب برای علاقه مندان به فرهنگ ژاپن و فلسفه سامورایی ها اثری درخور است، همچنین میتوان برای شناخت جامعه فئودالی ژاپن قرون وسطی از فصول پایانی آن بهره برد
بخشی از کتاب:
«طریقت سامورایی استوار بر مرگ است. آن‌گاه که باید بین مرگ و زندگی یکی را انتخاب کنی بی‌درنگ مرگ را برگزین. دشوار نیست؛ مصمم باش و پیش رو. این که بگوییم مردن بدون رسیدن به هدف خود مرگی بی ارزش است راهی است سبکسرانه برای پیچیده کردن موضوع. آن زمان که تحت فشار انتخاب زندگی یا مرگ قرار گرفته ای لزومی هم ندارد به هدف خود برسی»

[Ali Reda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Way of the Samurai is in the death of his ego, so he selflessly lives a life that embraces death with honor. So deals with the transcendental area including both life and death. If man considers himself dead, he will live his life in complete peace.

Accepting Death is the only way to be free

The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim. We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. This is a thin dangerous line. To die without gaining one's aim is a dog's death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai. If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.

Be always prepared, you may not have time

Although all things are not to be judged in this manner, I mention it in the investigation of the Way of the Samurai. When the time comes, there is no moment for reasoning. And if you have not done your inquiring beforehand , there is most often shame. Reading books and listening to people's talk are for the purpose of prior resolution. Above all, the Way of the Samurai should be in being aware that you do not know what is going to happen next, and in querying every item day and night. Victory and defeat are matters of the temporary force of circumstances.

A person who knows but a little will put on an air of knowledge. This is a matter of inexperience. When someone knows something well, it will not be seen in his manner.

Live in the moment and free your mind from anything else.

There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment.

A Samurai's Vows

Never be outdone in the Way of the Samurai.
To be of good use to the master.
To be filial toward my parents.
To manifest great compassion, and to act for the sake of Man.

[Mission Blue]

صادقانه، رک و صریح بگم: کتاب رو دوست نداشتم. بعد از خوندن هنر رزم و لذت بردن از اون، بنا بر توصیه ی یکی از دوستان توی ریویوشون(فکر می کنم آقای فواد بودن) تصمیم گرفتم این کتاب رو هم بخونم تا بتونم مقایسه ای داشته باشم ازش با کتاب هنر رزم. چیزی که باهاش مواجه شدم دنباله ای کشدار و طولانی بود از جملات قصاری که به شدت تاریخ انقضا داشتن! گمون نمی کنم بعد از گذشت سیصد سال از زمان نگاشته شدن این کتاب کسی بتونه این کتاب رو بخونه و آموزه هاش رو به کار ببنده.
البته فکر می کنم با پس زمینه ی ذهنی اشتباهی رفتم سراغ این کتاب. فکر می کردم با کتابی رو به رو هستم که می شه مثل در باب حکمت زندگی و یا هنر رزم به عنوان کتابی نسبتا کاربردی ازش استفاده کرد. اما بعد از خوندن بیش از نیمی از کتاب به این نتیجه رسیده ام که باید از این کتاب به عنوان منبعی برای مطالعه ی تاریخ فرهنگ مردم ژاپن استفاده کرد. صحبت از مرگ و سپوکه، برای منی که در قرن 21 زندگی می کنم و امیری ندارم که گوش به فرمانش باشم چندان کارآمد به نظر نمیاد!
+ به کتاب امتیاز نمی دم. در عین حال هم نمی ذارمش توی شلف ناتمام هام. می ذارم فعلا همین طوری بمونه تا ببینم بعدا می تونم تمومش کنم و وضعیتش رو تغییر بدم یا خیر!

[Paria · Rating 2 out of 5]

ین کتاب آیین ها و سنت های سامورایی های اهل ژاپن از زبان یک سامورایی به نام چونه تومو هستش. این موضوعات در قالب متن های کوتاه و مینیمالیسیتی گنجونده شدن و درمورد موضوعات متفاوتی مثل مرگ، وفاداری، اطاعت بی چون و چرا از امیر، شجاعت و بی پروا بودن و ... هستن.

اسم کتاب واسم خیلی خیلی وسوسه انگیز بود و مشتاق بودم که این کتابو بخونم ولی متاسفانه اصلا مطابق تصوراتم نبود و در کل چندان جذاب نبود واسم. 

[Chiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing nothing about Samurai's history and/or tradition, I can take only the "philosphy" from this book.
Death is considered the only very important thought, around which everything else must dance in one's life. Death is our ultimate destination, and everything must be done in view of that unavoidable event. I can agree, but I cannot wholly share the attitude of a Samurai about it, since I believe I can leave more seeds and fruits through my life than through my death. I can teach a lot with the way I approach death, of course, but I don't believe everything about me is decided in that one moment.
A Samurai celebrates death through his whole life; I'd rather celebrate life through my own death, but it might be just points of view and in the end we might as well mean exactly the same thing.
What I disagree on without the shadow of a doubt, is the view about women: weak and unable to raise children; creatures to be ashamed of, to hide, to get rid of as soon as possible... Mr Yamamoto should know some of the men and the women I got to know. Than he might change his mind - or commit seppuku :)

[P.H. Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Real rating: 5/10
The Prince or either Art of War, the Hagakure is not. There is no brilliant strategist lying behind these words, this is of the author's own admission. All he has is fealty and he goes out of his way to prove that is all that matters. He bemoans skills and wit, cleverness and intelligence, art and cunning. He condemns any notion of thought or planning as is shown when he derides the still celebrated 47 ronin, for not attempting their attack sooner. As Yamamoto is the type of individual who believes it would have been better if the 47 would have that night gone and attacked and failed, then waited to strategize and succeed. The Hagakure is not the way of the Samurai, it is a book on blinded loyalty, that the author thought all beings should exhibit and it is not surprising that this work was not widely known until the 1930's when emperor Hirohito was starting to need soldiers with undying loyalty who would willing kill themselves for his cause. This is no more than a guide to being a servant written by a man who seemingly desired to show the world how much he loved his master. With discussions on the fact that love untold is the greatest love and that one should only conduct "male love", as it is put, when one has devoted more than five years. In modern terms he is a nationalist who is blinded by his own shortcomings and puts up a false modest approach by saying he is poor at something and then states how others believe him to be the best.
As for many of the tales within they come off as Aesop's fables told as if they are real. Sections end with "it is said" there is very few first hand accounts, as the author spent most of his life looking after his master and then hid himself way from the world and smothered his mind in thoughts of death and nostalgia. Some of the tales involve floating heads and discussions of magic and others go nowhere with no point. There are a few nuggets of wisdom within its pages and several sections that give us an understanding of how life does not change no matter the era. The old deride the young, even when their own skills were sub-par and that nostalgia is a drug that we all seem to reach for as age sets in. If you are looking for a writer that better understands the way of the samurai please read Miyamoto's Book of Five Rings.

[Ele0n0ra · Rating 3 out of 5]

#MarzoAsiatico2021

Historias de Samuráis y del Seppuku. No me sorprendió ni agregó nada a lo que ya he leído sobre samurais en muchos libros occidentales. Es interesante, tal vez, para quien lo lea como introducción a otros libros de historias más profundas de cómo era la vida de dichos servidores y su pacto de honor.

[Reza Gharibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

اين نوع نظام فكري و نظام رفتاري شون برام جذابيت فوق العاده زيادي داشت.

[مهسا · Rating 1 out of 5]

این کتاب برای من نبود
احساس بدی دارم از اینکه آگاهانه وقت تلف کردم

[Amir · Rating 3 out of 5]

مایلم از دو بعد این کتاب را ارزش گذاری کنم . اول محتوای آن به عنوان یک سند تاریخی که بیانگر ارزشها در ژاپن باستان است که ما را
در پژوهش های تاریخی مان یاری میدهد ؛ دوم محتوای آن به عنوان فلسفه ای برای زندگی در جهان امروز .
بدون هیچ بحثی این کتاب از بعد اول فوق العاده ارزشمند است.
اما بعد دوم...
اگرچه فکر کردن مداوم به مرگ میتواند مفید باشد (از این جهت که به زندگی معنا ببخشد) ، اما به شکلی که در این کتاب بیان شده واقعا فاجعه بار است چرا که نه تنها به زندگی معنایی نداده بلکه آن را کاملا بی ارزش و بی معنی کرده است .
تبدیل سلب حیات از دیگران (قتل) و خود (خودکشی) به مسئله ای عادی ، تمایل شدید و بی دلیل به خشونت برای حل مشکلات ، تقویت اختلافات طبقاتی ، تاکید بر حفظ شرافت خانوادگی (به بهای خون)، بی ارزشی فردیت ، عمده پیام های اخلاقی این کتابند .
بنظرم این نظام اخلاقی اصلا مناسب نیست.
با اینحال خاص و متفاوت بودن سرزمین آفتاب برای من حیرت انگیز و جذاب بود. گویی شکل گیری تمدن در این سرزمین از همه لحاظ مستقل از سایر مناطق دنیا است .
موضوعی که بیان آن جالب است وجه اشتراک فرهنگ باستانی ایران و ژاپن است. جان فشانی برای شاه در گذشته ای دور که در شاهنامه به چشم میخورد و تا قبل عصر ناصری ادامه داشته ، در کتاب هاگاکوره نیز (فداکاری سامورایی در راه ارباب) عینا دیده میشود و گمان میکنم این ویژگی به این شدت فقط در گذشته ی این دو ملت بوده است.

[Hulyacln · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tsunetomo Yamamoto otuz yıldan fazla bir süre Mitsuşige nezdinde Nabeşimalara hizmet etti.
Mitsuşige öldüğünde efendisinin peşinden ölmek istedi. Ama bu yasaklanınca; inzivaya çekildi.
Ve buşidoya (savaşçının yolu: samurayların uyması gereken kurallar/davranışlar) dair düşüncelerini, anılarını, öğütlerini Hagakure ile aktardı.
Buraya kadar her şey oldukça net ama Saklı Yapraklar’ı okuyunca o kadar da net bir duygum olmadı.
Samuraylar Japon tarihi ve kültürünün en ilgi çekici yanlarından. Çünkü sarıp sarmalandıkları, uğruna öldükleri, sadakat ve şerefle dolup taştıkları ‘efendiye hizmet’ anlayışı pek çok zihinde sağlam bir temele oturmuyor. (bende de!)
Kullandıkları savaş tekniklerinden özel hayatlarındaki tutumlara kadar öyle detay var ki. Örneğin kadınların yok sayılması, efendileri karşısında kendilerini hiçleştirmeleri gibi.
.
‘Hagakure: Saklı Yapraklar’ da Yamamoto, Zen Budizm’ine dair öğretilere, Konfüçyüsçü düşünce yapısına da değiniyor. Özellikle öğüt verdiği kısımlarda (ki bu noktalar altını çizdiğim satırlar oldu).
Modern Japon edebiyatının yanında Japon edebiyatının klasikleşmiş eserlerini okumak da keyif benim için.
.
İlgilisine tavsiye eder miyim? Tabii ki!
.
Hüseyin Can Erkin çevirisi, Gekko Ogata illüstrasyonuyla~

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good.

A bit long-in-the-tooth though. It took a while to get going.

Really enjoyed the honor and duty aspects of the warriors. Great lessons in the philosophy and code of the Bushido.

I would instead recommend you first read A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy or Bushido: The Soul of Japan. A Classic Essay on Samurai Ethics if interested in Japanese philosophy.

3.5/5

[Danny Druid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a treasure of a book. It's a collection of Thumos-stirring aphorisms and anecdotes of Samurai's and their masters. It feels like the Samurai version of Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil at times. In fact, I think Nietzsche would give the Samurai code and worldview an A+ seeing as how it fits rather perfectly with his notions of Noble Morality.

This book is highly recommendable on two fronts: As an illuminating collection of insights for which to guide your life, and as a peek into the life of the feudal Japanese. Definitely one of my favourite books I read this year. I only wish it was longer!

[Lostaccount · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It is said that even after one’s head has been cut off, he can still perform some function.”

The Hagakure, The book of the samurai, which is a kind of guidebook for Samurai, should be titled the book of the fanatic, exhorting as it does the “retainer” (a kind of Samurai personal servant) to behead as many men as possible, and to live as if one has already died.

The book is full of contradictions and non sequiturs that make it seem a bit ludicrous at times, but there’s also a fair bit of old school wisdom. A few nuggets:
“You cannot tell if a person is good or bad by his vicissitudes in life. Good or bad fortunes are matters of fate.”
"In the highest level a man has the look of knowing nothing"
“A person who becomes fatigued when unhappy is useless.”
“At a time when the world is sliding into decline to excel is easy”

The latter part of the book deals with being courageous in battle. There is lots of stuff about being determined to cut down the enemy no matter how many etc. (“Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate”) and stories of Samurai taking bloodthirsty revenge, getting into petty disagreements which end in mass slaughter and Seppuku (ritual suicide).

It’s clear from this book that Samurai lived by a strict code of honour that was suicidal and fanatical. For example:
“With martial valour if one becomes like a revengeful ghost and shows great determination though his head is cut off he should not die”

“The way of the samurai is in determination ... simply become insane and desperate”

“Last year I went to the execution grounds to try my hand at beheading and found it an extremely good feeling”

There’s also this:

“In the last fifty years men’s pulse has become the same as women’s. Noticing this, in the treatment of the eye disease I applied women’s treatment to men and found it suitable ... thus I knew that men’s spirits had weakened and that they had become the same as women, and the end of the world had come.”

“Looking at men today ... those who could be thought to have women’s pulses are many indeed, those who seem like real men few.”

In fairness though, the author is lamenting the decline of the Samurai, in a more peaceful time.

“That there are few men who are able to cut well in beheadings is further proof that men’s courage has waned"

“For practice in cutting, execute some men who have been condemned to death”

By the time this book was related by Yamamoto, living as a hermit, he was probably insane ... cutting people down and beheading and commiting ritual suicide was practiced regularly and frequently. In talking of beheading by Kaishakunin (person appointed to behead after Seppuku), he relates this: “In the practice of past time there were instances where the head flew off. It was said that it is best to cut leaving a little skin remaining so that it doesn’t fly off in the direction of verifying officials”.

I leave you with this:

“If you cut a face lengthwise, urinate on it, and trample on it with straw sandals, it is said the skin will come off”

Fukahori, peace out ...

[H]

"If one dedicates these four vows to the gods and Buddhas every morning, he will have the strength of two men and will never slip backward. One must edge forward like the inchworm, bit by bit. The gods and Buddhas, too, first started with a vow."

A samurai's journal of anecdotes and aphorisms I've been rereading for years. It means something different to me each time, though the lessons are often the same ones I've forgotten. It's amazing how these lessons apply themselves to whatever my life is currently focusing on.

[m2hozone · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب هاگاکوره كتابى نوشته شده براساس آيين و سنت هاى سامورايى هاست كه حاصل معاشرت هفت ساله ياماموتو چونه تومو و تاشيرو چورا موتو جوان است كه لحنى نصيحت گرانه در موضوعاتى همچون:شجاعت،وفادارى،مرگ،كردار،اطاعت بى چون و چرا امير و... را درخود دارد!
در قسمت هايى از كتاب بيشتر به توضيحات مسائل آيين سامورايى ها همچون سپوكه و هاراكيرى (-كه خودكشى تشريفاتى ژاپنى ها با روش دريدن شكم است-) تخصيص داده شده!
اين كتاب براى عامه پسند نخواهد بود!اما براى كسانيكه به فرهنگ ژاپن و فلسفه سامورايى علاقه دارند قطعا كتابى جالب و خواندنى خواهد بود! 🙃