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Dokkodo. The Way of Walking Alone: Discover self-discipline and personal mastery through the ancestral wisdom of the samurai.
Discover the path of ancestral wisdom of the samurai with Dokkodo, The Way Of Walking Alone, written by Miyamoto Musashi. This literary treasure, based on the principles of the legendary samurai, will guide you toward self-discipline, mental strength, and personal mastery. Immerse yourself in Musashi's timeless teachings to achieve excellence in every aspect of your life. Get ready to embark on a unique journey towards self-transcendence!
Written by Miyamoto Musashi seven days before his passing, this text consists of twenty-one precepts arranged as independent phrases.
Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), Japanese master swordsman, was renowned for his combat prowess and martial philosophy. His teachings on self-discipline and personal growth continue to influence martial arts and modern leadership.
Written by Miyamoto Musashi seven days before his passing, this text consists of twenty-one precepts arranged as independent phrases.
Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), Japanese master swordsman, was renowned for his combat prowess and martial philosophy. His teachings on self-discipline and personal growth continue to influence martial arts and modern leadership.
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First published January 1, 1645
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About the author
Miyamoto Musashi
247 books1,177 followersMiyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, c. 1584 – June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age. He was the founder of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū or Niten-ryū style of swordsmanship and the author of The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書 Go Rin No Sho), a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
January 22, 2016
I wanted to like this much more than I did, but they kinda lost me even at the intro... they went from "Musashi might have displayed some pathological tendencies" to "let's use a dictionary definition to diagnose mental health conditions of historical figures" to "so he was 100% most definitely a psychopath". I think they might have a worthwhile line of inquiry there, but their conclusions were not supported sufficiently by their argument, and certainly not to the degree of assurance with which they argued them. (That more reminded me of debate club where the object is to sway the audience with rhetoric than it did a fact-based analysis.) As for the main text, two of the five authors had viewpoints that I thought were interesting and valuable, a third was kinda hit or miss for me, and two of the five I just thought were missing the point consistently. The whole "modern meaning" of the book is, unfortunately, often without reference to the context the book came out of. (Shout-outs to the monk and the warrior for getting that part right, though!) So statements like "I wish Musashi had used this word instead of that word" for shades of meaning were infuriating when the source text is itself a work in translation and the translation is differently rendered by different authors. (Again, some of the authors totally got that! But some others didn't.) Basically, I wanted a lot more scholarly rigor than there was, and instead it ended up feeling more like you and your friends are sitting around opining on a series of writing prompts. It's fun to do, but it's less fun to read.
June 28, 2021
Musashi was a Ronin. A Ronin is a samurai without a master. Miyamoto Musashi is the greatest swordsman to ever live; undefeated in 61 one-on-one duels. Musashi’s total kill-count is much higher – he fought in clan wars too. Musashi killed his first man when he was 13. About the same time most modern-children receive their first smartphone.
The "Dokkōdō" (Japanese: 獨行道) ("The Path of Aloneness", "The Way to Go Forth Alone", or "The Way of Walking Alone") is a short work written by Miyamoto Musashi a week before he died in 1645. Musashi wrote the Dokkodu one week before his death. It consists of 21 precepts. (we must create our own and unfold our own myth)
1. Accept everything just the way it is.
Change is the most powerful force in the world. Change cannot be stopped. Like, how, you’ll never be able to stop a river. Water will continue traveling until time falls out of the universe like the earth crumbling, falling, into an infinite expanse below us that is space. But change is beautiful. There’s no point living in denial about your current circumstances or your past. Don’t have a very rigid worldview. You need to be flexible in your understanding – don’t try to change the interpretation of something to fit a pre-existing structure. Beware cognitive dissonance.
Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t. You are better off accepting the world around you and focusing on what you can do within it.
2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
Do not get emotionally attached to pleasure. Pleasure for the sake of pleasure lowers your ‘level’ as a human being. It makes you less human and more animalistic.Pleasure in itself will not fulfill you. Satisfaction is secondary to purpose. Happiness is a by-product of achievement, self-understanding, and calmness.Pleasure has to be earned. When you chase pleasure for the sake of pleasure, you feel good without earning the rights the dopamine – it only fulfills the body, not the spirit.
When you seek pleasure, it should be from something lasting and present, not something fleeting and detrimental. We all seek pleasure, but we would be wise to focus on the pleasures that last for lifetimes.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
When you’re not sure of something or someone, you need to be very cautious with how you move forward. “kind of” believing in something is not the same as actually believing in something – this includes self-belief. Some things require 100% conviction – and if you feel unsure, you need to take a step back to refine and rethink your plan. A thoughtless attack leaves you open for a counterattack. Making half-hearted decisions is essentially making the worse decision. When you act, you are better off being certain of what you are doing, not wavering or full of doubt. If things are not crystal clear then wait for them to become so.
4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
Do not become a self-absorbed person. It only blinds your judgment. Don’t take yourself too seriously and be humble by knowing that the world is so much more than yourself. Pay attention to what’s around you and seek wisdom from everywhere. Being focused on yourself alone, is not the path to wisdom. Create a working mental model of the world and constantly improve it as you gain more knowledge and experience. If you maintain a light sense of self, you’ll find it easier to move on and move beyond. You’re more adaptable to change – and in everything, your ability to change and thrive sets you apart from the rest.
5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.
Everyone has desires, don’t get so attached to them that you lose perspective, like a drug addict craving his fix who is blind to the consequences of his actions. This precept has a stoic feel to it. The point should not be to chase your dreams, but to live your life as it unfolds. Goals are great, but don’t let them determine your happiness. Dwelling on what-ifs and questioning your decisions only diminish the time you have on this world.
6. Do not regret what you have done.
Regret is a wasted emotion — a sunk cost. If you feel guilty over something, make a note of it and learn from that mistake. But never hold deep regrets over it. It’ll only slow you down without helping the situation. You cannot change the past. Life should not be about regrets. It can be easy to look back and think of things you should have done or decisions you could have made, but the past is gone. Regretting it gets you nowhere. After all, we don’t know what the future holds and this journey you’re on my be exactly what takes you where you truly wish to go.
7. Never be jealous.
Get inspired, not jealous. Jealousy is a waste of time. Comparison is the thief of joy. There’s no point in being jealous of other individuals and getting down on yourself. Instead, spend your energy on things that you can control and let the rest take care of itself.
8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
Attachment is different from love. Separation is inevitable. People come and go. Men and women live and die. The only constant is God. Death is part of life and many people you love will come and go. You can’t let this get you down, because it is not the distance that matters. If you keep them close to your heart, they will always be near you.
9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.
Complaining about things or hating people is counter-productive. You get nothing out of it and it only turns you into a more cynical person. Instead, be neutral, let things be, and move forward.
10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
Both love and lust affect your judgment adversely. People have sacrificed everything: money, reputation, and freedom in a moment of desire and lust. It was never worth it. It can be easy to act from a place of lust or love, but that is not always the best decision. Treat yourself with respect. Love is important, but don’t put yourself in positions that you wouldn’t wish for yourself.
11. In all things have no preferences.
An open mind will enable you to have broad and varied experiences. You can have favorites, but what you shouldn’t have is a closed mind. Be open to new experience and trying new things. If you don’t experience the new, then what’s the point of living. Sticking only to what you know makes you a fish in a small pond.
12. Be indifferent to where you live.
If you are happy, it does not matter whether you’re living in a palace or a jungle. If you are frustrated and sad, it does not matter whether you’re a pauper or a prince. Refer once again to the life story of Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha).
It doesn’t matter where you are, living is living. You can move if you don’t like where you are, but eventually, you’ll realize it’s all the same. Whether it’s a small studio apartment or a mansion on the beach, other things matter more.
13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.
Musashi was a warrior. Food is just a way to get nutrition and energy. The taste is secondary. We should eat for our health and nutrition, not for the taste of food. While it is OK to indulge occasionally, we must all be wary of getting addicted to good food and forget our health.
14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
Musashi was a wanderer. The more you carry, the harder (and riskier) your way becomes – both physically and metaphorically. Things don’t matter, especially those that are of no value to you. Take the advice of the minimalist and get rid of the clutter. Only keep what you truly need, because it leads to a freer life.
15. Do not act following customary beliefs.
Think for yourself. Don’t become a blind NPC. Just because everyone else is doing something, doesn’t make doing it a good idea. Just because no one does it, doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. It’s easy to act like a sheep and follow the herd, but we would all be better off if we thought and acted for ourselves. Don’t listen to the noise. Instead try to form your own opinion on what is happening and let them guide you.
16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
I once heard this from someone who was a Shaolin discipline: “Master one form to perfection. Do not be the rabbit that picks up a carrot and then drops it as he tries to pick up another”.
Musashi seems to prioritize specialization over being a generalist. However, Musashi wrote this in 1645 in a world without automation and technology. In the modern-day, code and machines can do highly specialized tasks for you. Being a polymath / multi-disciplinary seems to be a better approach.
17. Do not fear death.
Fear of death makes warriors weak. Treat life like you would treat a sparring match – be unafraid, calm, and focused – this will maximize your chances of victory. We can all die at any moment. There’s no rhyme or reason in the world, which means that death will happen when it happens. Being afraid of it accomplishes nothing.
18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
Musashi was a Ronin, i.e., a samurai with no master – a wanderer. Having no resources does not appear to be good advice for the modern day.
Definitely save money for your old age. You’re not an ascetic and probably can’t hunt for food nor rely upon other people for your well being.
19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.
God helps those who can help themselves. Always strive to do the best you can. Never depend on luck. Believing in God and expecting things from God are two different things. Life is in your control, don’t count on luck to make things happen. Instead, be humble, work hard, acknowledge there is something greater than you, and show gratitude for the time you have.
20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.
While you should not regret anything you’ve done, this does not mean you do dishonorable things.
Never do something that isn’t compatible with your internal code of ethics. The Japanese value honor over life. I’d rather lose honor than life – but only in life and death situations. (Honor can be regained, but if you lose your dice you can never play again.) Your time on this world is short, but your legacy and what that means will far outlast you. Be sure to act with this thought in mind. Don’t do things that you can’t live with. The actions make the man.
21. Never stray from the Way.
When you genuinely believe in something, go all in. You have less time than you think. You will grow older and weaker, and your energy levels will go down – you don’t have a second to waste. There is a path you are on and you should either follow it exactly or toss it aside and find a new one. Either way, you choose a path and follow it with all you have, for it is a symbol of the choices you have made and the beliefs you have accepted.
The "Dokkōdō" (Japanese: 獨行道) ("The Path of Aloneness", "The Way to Go Forth Alone", or "The Way of Walking Alone") is a short work written by Miyamoto Musashi a week before he died in 1645. Musashi wrote the Dokkodu one week before his death. It consists of 21 precepts. (we must create our own and unfold our own myth)
1. Accept everything just the way it is.
Change is the most powerful force in the world. Change cannot be stopped. Like, how, you’ll never be able to stop a river. Water will continue traveling until time falls out of the universe like the earth crumbling, falling, into an infinite expanse below us that is space. But change is beautiful. There’s no point living in denial about your current circumstances or your past. Don’t have a very rigid worldview. You need to be flexible in your understanding – don’t try to change the interpretation of something to fit a pre-existing structure. Beware cognitive dissonance.
Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t. You are better off accepting the world around you and focusing on what you can do within it.
2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
Do not get emotionally attached to pleasure. Pleasure for the sake of pleasure lowers your ‘level’ as a human being. It makes you less human and more animalistic.Pleasure in itself will not fulfill you. Satisfaction is secondary to purpose. Happiness is a by-product of achievement, self-understanding, and calmness.Pleasure has to be earned. When you chase pleasure for the sake of pleasure, you feel good without earning the rights the dopamine – it only fulfills the body, not the spirit.
When you seek pleasure, it should be from something lasting and present, not something fleeting and detrimental. We all seek pleasure, but we would be wise to focus on the pleasures that last for lifetimes.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
When you’re not sure of something or someone, you need to be very cautious with how you move forward. “kind of” believing in something is not the same as actually believing in something – this includes self-belief. Some things require 100% conviction – and if you feel unsure, you need to take a step back to refine and rethink your plan. A thoughtless attack leaves you open for a counterattack. Making half-hearted decisions is essentially making the worse decision. When you act, you are better off being certain of what you are doing, not wavering or full of doubt. If things are not crystal clear then wait for them to become so.
4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
Do not become a self-absorbed person. It only blinds your judgment. Don’t take yourself too seriously and be humble by knowing that the world is so much more than yourself. Pay attention to what’s around you and seek wisdom from everywhere. Being focused on yourself alone, is not the path to wisdom. Create a working mental model of the world and constantly improve it as you gain more knowledge and experience. If you maintain a light sense of self, you’ll find it easier to move on and move beyond. You’re more adaptable to change – and in everything, your ability to change and thrive sets you apart from the rest.
5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.
Everyone has desires, don’t get so attached to them that you lose perspective, like a drug addict craving his fix who is blind to the consequences of his actions. This precept has a stoic feel to it. The point should not be to chase your dreams, but to live your life as it unfolds. Goals are great, but don’t let them determine your happiness. Dwelling on what-ifs and questioning your decisions only diminish the time you have on this world.
6. Do not regret what you have done.
Regret is a wasted emotion — a sunk cost. If you feel guilty over something, make a note of it and learn from that mistake. But never hold deep regrets over it. It’ll only slow you down without helping the situation. You cannot change the past. Life should not be about regrets. It can be easy to look back and think of things you should have done or decisions you could have made, but the past is gone. Regretting it gets you nowhere. After all, we don’t know what the future holds and this journey you’re on my be exactly what takes you where you truly wish to go.
7. Never be jealous.
Get inspired, not jealous. Jealousy is a waste of time. Comparison is the thief of joy. There’s no point in being jealous of other individuals and getting down on yourself. Instead, spend your energy on things that you can control and let the rest take care of itself.
8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
Attachment is different from love. Separation is inevitable. People come and go. Men and women live and die. The only constant is God. Death is part of life and many people you love will come and go. You can’t let this get you down, because it is not the distance that matters. If you keep them close to your heart, they will always be near you.
9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.
Complaining about things or hating people is counter-productive. You get nothing out of it and it only turns you into a more cynical person. Instead, be neutral, let things be, and move forward.
10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
Both love and lust affect your judgment adversely. People have sacrificed everything: money, reputation, and freedom in a moment of desire and lust. It was never worth it. It can be easy to act from a place of lust or love, but that is not always the best decision. Treat yourself with respect. Love is important, but don’t put yourself in positions that you wouldn’t wish for yourself.
11. In all things have no preferences.
An open mind will enable you to have broad and varied experiences. You can have favorites, but what you shouldn’t have is a closed mind. Be open to new experience and trying new things. If you don’t experience the new, then what’s the point of living. Sticking only to what you know makes you a fish in a small pond.
12. Be indifferent to where you live.
If you are happy, it does not matter whether you’re living in a palace or a jungle. If you are frustrated and sad, it does not matter whether you’re a pauper or a prince. Refer once again to the life story of Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha).
It doesn’t matter where you are, living is living. You can move if you don’t like where you are, but eventually, you’ll realize it’s all the same. Whether it’s a small studio apartment or a mansion on the beach, other things matter more.
13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.
Musashi was a warrior. Food is just a way to get nutrition and energy. The taste is secondary. We should eat for our health and nutrition, not for the taste of food. While it is OK to indulge occasionally, we must all be wary of getting addicted to good food and forget our health.
14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
Musashi was a wanderer. The more you carry, the harder (and riskier) your way becomes – both physically and metaphorically. Things don’t matter, especially those that are of no value to you. Take the advice of the minimalist and get rid of the clutter. Only keep what you truly need, because it leads to a freer life.
15. Do not act following customary beliefs.
Think for yourself. Don’t become a blind NPC. Just because everyone else is doing something, doesn’t make doing it a good idea. Just because no one does it, doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. It’s easy to act like a sheep and follow the herd, but we would all be better off if we thought and acted for ourselves. Don’t listen to the noise. Instead try to form your own opinion on what is happening and let them guide you.
16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
I once heard this from someone who was a Shaolin discipline: “Master one form to perfection. Do not be the rabbit that picks up a carrot and then drops it as he tries to pick up another”.
Musashi seems to prioritize specialization over being a generalist. However, Musashi wrote this in 1645 in a world without automation and technology. In the modern-day, code and machines can do highly specialized tasks for you. Being a polymath / multi-disciplinary seems to be a better approach.
17. Do not fear death.
Fear of death makes warriors weak. Treat life like you would treat a sparring match – be unafraid, calm, and focused – this will maximize your chances of victory. We can all die at any moment. There’s no rhyme or reason in the world, which means that death will happen when it happens. Being afraid of it accomplishes nothing.
18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
Musashi was a Ronin, i.e., a samurai with no master – a wanderer. Having no resources does not appear to be good advice for the modern day.
Definitely save money for your old age. You’re not an ascetic and probably can’t hunt for food nor rely upon other people for your well being.
19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.
God helps those who can help themselves. Always strive to do the best you can. Never depend on luck. Believing in God and expecting things from God are two different things. Life is in your control, don’t count on luck to make things happen. Instead, be humble, work hard, acknowledge there is something greater than you, and show gratitude for the time you have.
20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.
While you should not regret anything you’ve done, this does not mean you do dishonorable things.
Never do something that isn’t compatible with your internal code of ethics. The Japanese value honor over life. I’d rather lose honor than life – but only in life and death situations. (Honor can be regained, but if you lose your dice you can never play again.) Your time on this world is short, but your legacy and what that means will far outlast you. Be sure to act with this thought in mind. Don’t do things that you can’t live with. The actions make the man.
21. Never stray from the Way.
When you genuinely believe in something, go all in. You have less time than you think. You will grow older and weaker, and your energy levels will go down – you don’t have a second to waste. There is a path you are on and you should either follow it exactly or toss it aside and find a new one. Either way, you choose a path and follow it with all you have, for it is a symbol of the choices you have made and the beliefs you have accepted.
November 8, 2022
Unlike The Book of Five Rings, which is also a good but much longer read, the Dokkodo has been conserved in its original entirety, making it a better proxy for Musashi's true thinking.
There are two difficulties in reading and learning from this book, none of which have to do with its contents.
The first is that the text is a list of 21 short aphorisms, but unfortunately, due to the way the book industry works today, it is nearly impossible to find a book that contents itself with offering a translation of those original aphorisms. Instead, you'll find a plethora of 200-page books overly concerned with commenting, contextualizing, and (over)interpreting Musashi's words rather than leaving that work to you, the reader.
When I read an old text, I want to get as close to the original meaning as I can. I do not care for what academics think of Musashi's mental state. I care about his words.
The second is that aphorisms are open to wide interpretation. Therefore, I recommend you read multiple translations and reflect on each of them.
Here are the three that I found most helpful:
1. On Wikipedia, you'll find a list of Musashi's aphorisms that reads like a set of commandments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dokk%C5...
2. In the book The Complete Musashi, you'll find the statements in "I-form" in the past tense, as self-uttered reflections on Musashi's life.
3. In the paper, The last words of Miyamoto Musashi: An attempt to translate his "Dokkodo", you'll find a thorough, careful, wonderfully researched attempt at translating Musashi's words in their original meaning. It is a paper originally written in German, then translated and updated in English. The author presents a full list of Musashi's ideas in "I will" form, like commitments new disciples of his school might make as they set out on the path of the warrior.
This last version is the best one I have found, and I would recommend it above all others. Don't drown in the noise surrounding this work. Pick one of these original sources, none longer than a modern-day tweetstorm, and form your own opinion of what it means to walk "The Path of Aloneness."
There are two difficulties in reading and learning from this book, none of which have to do with its contents.
The first is that the text is a list of 21 short aphorisms, but unfortunately, due to the way the book industry works today, it is nearly impossible to find a book that contents itself with offering a translation of those original aphorisms. Instead, you'll find a plethora of 200-page books overly concerned with commenting, contextualizing, and (over)interpreting Musashi's words rather than leaving that work to you, the reader.
When I read an old text, I want to get as close to the original meaning as I can. I do not care for what academics think of Musashi's mental state. I care about his words.
The second is that aphorisms are open to wide interpretation. Therefore, I recommend you read multiple translations and reflect on each of them.
Here are the three that I found most helpful:
1. On Wikipedia, you'll find a list of Musashi's aphorisms that reads like a set of commandments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dokk%C5...
2. In the book The Complete Musashi, you'll find the statements in "I-form" in the past tense, as self-uttered reflections on Musashi's life.
3. In the paper, The last words of Miyamoto Musashi: An attempt to translate his "Dokkodo", you'll find a thorough, careful, wonderfully researched attempt at translating Musashi's words in their original meaning. It is a paper originally written in German, then translated and updated in English. The author presents a full list of Musashi's ideas in "I will" form, like commitments new disciples of his school might make as they set out on the path of the warrior.
This last version is the best one I have found, and I would recommend it above all others. Don't drown in the noise surrounding this work. Pick one of these original sources, none longer than a modern-day tweetstorm, and form your own opinion of what it means to walk "The Path of Aloneness."
August 26, 2021
“The Dokkōdō” consists of 21 precepts written by Miyamoto Musashi in his last days. Musashi was solitary, a minimalist, and single-mindedly resolute as a swordsman – all to extremes few of us can fathom. [Imagine a cross between Diogenes and Muhammad Ali.] These twenty-one sentences barely fill a page, let alone a book. However, as with sutras of yoga and Buddhism, a book’s worth of material comes from elaboration and analysis. This approach is taken in this book by way of five commenters from different walks of life, though all with martial arts experience.
However, normally the explanations would be made by: a.) someone who understands the language (particularly the archaic form the author wrote in – i.e. Musashi’s lifespan overlapped with Shakespeare’s, so consider the changes in the English language that transpired,) or b.) someone with a depth of understanding of the worldview of the author (in this case, that would be someone immersed in a mélange of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, the Chinese classics, and the influence of life in the wake of centuries of feudalism and militancy on a person’s psychology.) This isn’t the approach taken in this book. While the five commenters are clearly well-read and intelligent individuals, they are also firmly ensconced in a worldview that is Western, Abrahamic, and materialistic. [I suspect this was the editors’ intention - to relate to the lives of the likely readership, but it does have stark implications for how the book is perceived.]
If one is looking for a book that will explore what – if anything – from the legendary swordsman’s deathbed lesson aligns with a Western / Abrahamic / American-suburban strip mall dojo lifestyle, this is your book -- 5-stars – buy it immediately. However, if one approaches the book from the assumption that Musashi was an exceptional person who must have had valuable insight into how to be exceptional, then one is likely to find this book presumptuous and dismissive of Eastern values and philosophies.
Much of the book is the commenters dismissing Musashi’s ideas as wrong-headed. In some cases, this is because Musashi was such an extremist that few could hope to live a life like his. [It’s not “the way of going alone” for no reason. Though that’s arguably why we are still interested in what Musashi has to say 400 years after his death.] However, in many cases, the commenters seem to be talking past Musashi’s ideas because their assumptions are inconsistent with the swordsman’s cultural milieu.
This is most often seen with respect to a fundamental difference between Eastern and Western psychology. In Buddhism, there are purely mental constructs that have no reality except within the mind, and which can cause suffering with no material upside. For example, in precept #6 when Musashi argues against regret, some of the resulting commentary was as if the precept was “Don’t learn from your mistakes. Never change.” For a Buddhist, not holding onto regrets does not at all mean that one doesn’t learn or make corrections – mid-course or otherwise. It just means that there is this cancerous mental construct that can’t help one because the past is the past, and so it is jettisoned. Another example involves not having preferences, which – again – doesn’t mean that one won’t make a choice (if the situation allows one a choice.) It means not to hold onto an attachment. [e.g. If I like coffee more than tea, and a choice presents itself, I order coffee. What I don’t do is let my mind obsess about not being offered a choice.]
There are some beautiful insights peppered throughout this book, some that appear to be in line with Musashi’s thinking and others that I suspect the swordsman wouldn’t recognize as related to his own words. However, there is also a lot of commentary that sounds like college students explaining how bad Shakespeare is, in part because they are missing much of the Bard’s nuance and in part because his works seem so unrelatable in today’s world.
My recommendation of this book would be contingent upon where you fall on dichotomy that I mention in paragraph three. You might love it, or you might loath it.
However, normally the explanations would be made by: a.) someone who understands the language (particularly the archaic form the author wrote in – i.e. Musashi’s lifespan overlapped with Shakespeare’s, so consider the changes in the English language that transpired,) or b.) someone with a depth of understanding of the worldview of the author (in this case, that would be someone immersed in a mélange of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, the Chinese classics, and the influence of life in the wake of centuries of feudalism and militancy on a person’s psychology.) This isn’t the approach taken in this book. While the five commenters are clearly well-read and intelligent individuals, they are also firmly ensconced in a worldview that is Western, Abrahamic, and materialistic. [I suspect this was the editors’ intention - to relate to the lives of the likely readership, but it does have stark implications for how the book is perceived.]
If one is looking for a book that will explore what – if anything – from the legendary swordsman’s deathbed lesson aligns with a Western / Abrahamic / American-suburban strip mall dojo lifestyle, this is your book -- 5-stars – buy it immediately. However, if one approaches the book from the assumption that Musashi was an exceptional person who must have had valuable insight into how to be exceptional, then one is likely to find this book presumptuous and dismissive of Eastern values and philosophies.
Much of the book is the commenters dismissing Musashi’s ideas as wrong-headed. In some cases, this is because Musashi was such an extremist that few could hope to live a life like his. [It’s not “the way of going alone” for no reason. Though that’s arguably why we are still interested in what Musashi has to say 400 years after his death.] However, in many cases, the commenters seem to be talking past Musashi’s ideas because their assumptions are inconsistent with the swordsman’s cultural milieu.
This is most often seen with respect to a fundamental difference between Eastern and Western psychology. In Buddhism, there are purely mental constructs that have no reality except within the mind, and which can cause suffering with no material upside. For example, in precept #6 when Musashi argues against regret, some of the resulting commentary was as if the precept was “Don’t learn from your mistakes. Never change.” For a Buddhist, not holding onto regrets does not at all mean that one doesn’t learn or make corrections – mid-course or otherwise. It just means that there is this cancerous mental construct that can’t help one because the past is the past, and so it is jettisoned. Another example involves not having preferences, which – again – doesn’t mean that one won’t make a choice (if the situation allows one a choice.) It means not to hold onto an attachment. [e.g. If I like coffee more than tea, and a choice presents itself, I order coffee. What I don’t do is let my mind obsess about not being offered a choice.]
There are some beautiful insights peppered throughout this book, some that appear to be in line with Musashi’s thinking and others that I suspect the swordsman wouldn’t recognize as related to his own words. However, there is also a lot of commentary that sounds like college students explaining how bad Shakespeare is, in part because they are missing much of the Bard’s nuance and in part because his works seem so unrelatable in today’s world.
My recommendation of this book would be contingent upon where you fall on dichotomy that I mention in paragraph three. You might love it, or you might loath it.
June 6, 2020
I was looking for the original material for research, but there were a lot of opinions and interpretations in the book. It would be better if you are looking for something more like that.
July 26, 2016
This book was a nice surprise in many ways. First, I loved Kane and Wilder's deconstruction of Musashi's character, chopping him down from god and "honorable" man of "bushido" to a psychopath. This psychopath theory becomes vital to the examination of Musashi's theories in the chapters that follow.
Next, I has no idea Musashi had a work other than A Book of Five Rings. A short collection of thoughts, Dokkodo feels like the self-published, self help/hacking work of its day. I might even go as far to say it's some old school, samurai era bro-science. But in a good way. Musashi's words come with years of experience and contemplation and are still worth thinking over today.
The problem with this work comes with its long explanations and anecdotes. I found myself reading Musashi's words, the authors' initial interpretations, then skimming the hyperbole.
Next, I has no idea Musashi had a work other than A Book of Five Rings. A short collection of thoughts, Dokkodo feels like the self-published, self help/hacking work of its day. I might even go as far to say it's some old school, samurai era bro-science. But in a good way. Musashi's words come with years of experience and contemplation and are still worth thinking over today.
The problem with this work comes with its long explanations and anecdotes. I found myself reading Musashi's words, the authors' initial interpretations, then skimming the hyperbole.
February 29, 2016
No viene mal leer algo diferente de vez en cuando. Si una cultura considera a un hombre como un gran hombre y dicho hombre ha escrito algo, pues a leerlo. No fue esta edición la que leí (fue en español, no la encontré). Poder admirar los trazos en japonés al lado de cada precepto valió la pena.
November 1, 2021
Look, I'm a samurai now xD
June 27, 2023
Miyamoto Musashi is the 🐐
February 19, 2022
Interesting book written by various authors with vastly different backgrounds. This book is an interpretation of Musashi's rules for life by a Monk, Warrior, Business Person, Accountant and a Teacher. Quite intriguing how people from different backgrounds differently interpret Musashi's words with their own wisdom.
I quite liked this diversity of style and background, and found it intriguing to see how different people come to different conclusions.
I quite liked this diversity of style and background, and found it intriguing to see how different people come to different conclusions.
October 8, 2022
Miyamoto Musashi was a samurai who in his last years spent his days in a cave. Devoting most of his times to writing, sculpting etc. Dokkodo is composition of his 21 rules of "The Way of Walking Alone", which he wrote for one of his disciples. Though it was written long ago, some if not all of it's percepts still hold relevance in today's era. Do give it a try, its a blend of some of Buddhist teachings accompanied with his own interpretation of those teachings.
Happy Reading! :)
Happy Reading! :)
October 20, 2021
This book isnt exactly what is advertised but still a decent read.
Most of Musashi’s points were taken way too literally and some of them way too figuratively.
Half the book are just ramblings about themselves rather then trying to dissect and find meaning in his 21 points.
Decent effort, but you aren’t exactly going to be filled with insight from reading their views and ramblings.
Most of Musashi’s points were taken way too literally and some of them way too figuratively.
Half the book are just ramblings about themselves rather then trying to dissect and find meaning in his 21 points.
Decent effort, but you aren’t exactly going to be filled with insight from reading their views and ramblings.
May 14, 2021
This book talks a lot(I mean that in a good way). The original Dokkodo is pretty concise.
June 18, 2024
Highly Recommended!
June 5, 2024
Miyamoto Musashi (d.1645) is an enigmatic Japanese warrior monk. He fought his first duel at the age of 13 and went on to kill more than 60 samurai in duels, as well as fighting in a number of wars. He wrote about his experiences and produced manuals about sword fighting which are still studied. At the end of his career he retired to a cave to live a simple lie. Just before he died he wrote this book of advice for one of his followers. It consists of 21 sayings (or sentences). This version contains a lot of additional commentary which expands the book to almost 280 pages.
The idea for the book is a good one. Five people from widely different backgrounds provide a commentary on each of the 21 sayings. This provides a lot of perspectives, and some very interesting ideas. Some of those commentaries were particularly informative, with useful references to contemporary concepts and historical persons. However, some of the commentaries seemed less useful and after a while the reader may be tempted to skip those sections.
One of the things which surprised me about the book is that ancient wisdom literature (of which this is an example) often works by giving terse aphorisms which admit of a range of interpretations with wisdom to be found avoiding the extremes. I expected the commentaries to probe the degree to which particular aphorisms were true (and also not-true) within a range of meanings.
Instead, what tended to happen is that commentators often agreed or disagreed with the aphorism. For example, ‘Precept 5’ urged readers ‘to be detached from desire.’ The business perspective quickly rejected that idea as desire for goals and profits is what drives business.
But while a total absence of desire would indeed be a problem for a businessman, is there not also a sense in which a detachment from (inappropriate) desire is also beneficial. A desire for profits and business outcomes will get a person so far, but if that desire gets out of control it can lead to destructive behaviours which can destroy a business.
So ‘detachment from desire’ is not something that is either right or wrong; or good or bad. It is both good and bad, and both right and wrong, with a need to tease out where the rightness and wrongness lie. It is just too simplistic to agree or disagree with Musashi, when in reality his aphorisms need to be probed and pondered.
Similar interpretative difficulties arose with other passages. Commentators took issue with the idea of ‘do not under any circumstances depend on a partial feeling’ (18%). One of them thought that people should never depend on feelings at all. Yes, that is an arguable perspective but what it means depends upon what is meant by a reference to ‘feelings’ and that was not explored or explained.
Also undermining confidence in the book was a number of arguably inaccurate comments. One of the commentators was described as a Franciscan monk. But Franciscans are friars, not monks. There is a technical difference as monks live in one place (a monastery), whereas Friars move between places within a province. Another inaccuracy is that the Desert Fathers were described as a monastic order. Yes, some of them were in orders, but many lived on their own in caves in the desert. It is not accurate to try and label them all as members of a (single) religious order.
Mistakes like that are relatively minor but cumulatively they start to undermine the confidence of the reader. When they were combined with commentaries which were too ready to agree or disagree with Musashi, without probing the range of possible meanings, the book started to become a little disappointing.
January 28, 2025
This is a series of Precepts by Miyamoto Musashi.
A big problem I had began to experience in the first 50 pages of this book is that every single one of the individuals who are reviewing the Precepts and teachings by Musashi are non-Japanese. While a few are martial artists, they are all Caucasian Americans with very Modern American views of the 16th century swordsman. They argue his choices of words and apply a Modern Western idea to them and his principles. One of the contributors "The Monk" seems to be able to grasp some of the principles and teachings through some of the lenses that Musashi may have been intending the principles.
Musashi applied Buddhism and Shinto into some of his philosophy and lenses. And it is clear that none of the five additional authors "weighing in" on how they feel about the Precepts grasp any of these teachings or patterns in any respect. It is a very Modern American Centric opinionated book about 16th Century Japanese Swordsmanship and Philosophy. And that, in turn, has become a disappointment.
I think that this link actually translates the content a bit better and then the Precepts can be then meditated upon further. But with the way that this book is presented, it twists and confuses the way that words function. They also have different translated versions. Which, I think, is a bit harmful to the interpretations of the Precepts that are meant to be presented. There's also a lack of understanding for how poetry plays a critical role in philosophy. Word choice is important. So not only are the authors looking blankly at poorly translated versions that have been re-vised for American intent, it is purely a very Modern White American opinion on a subject with no Japanese contexts or supporting Japanese opinions to provide insight from a proper cultural background.
A big problem I had began to experience in the first 50 pages of this book is that every single one of the individuals who are reviewing the Precepts and teachings by Musashi are non-Japanese. While a few are martial artists, they are all Caucasian Americans with very Modern American views of the 16th century swordsman. They argue his choices of words and apply a Modern Western idea to them and his principles. One of the contributors "The Monk" seems to be able to grasp some of the principles and teachings through some of the lenses that Musashi may have been intending the principles.
Musashi applied Buddhism and Shinto into some of his philosophy and lenses. And it is clear that none of the five additional authors "weighing in" on how they feel about the Precepts grasp any of these teachings or patterns in any respect. It is a very Modern American Centric opinionated book about 16th Century Japanese Swordsmanship and Philosophy. And that, in turn, has become a disappointment.
I think that this link actually translates the content a bit better and then the Precepts can be then meditated upon further. But with the way that this book is presented, it twists and confuses the way that words function. They also have different translated versions. Which, I think, is a bit harmful to the interpretations of the Precepts that are meant to be presented. There's also a lack of understanding for how poetry plays a critical role in philosophy. Word choice is important. So not only are the authors looking blankly at poorly translated versions that have been re-vised for American intent, it is purely a very Modern White American opinion on a subject with no Japanese contexts or supporting Japanese opinions to provide insight from a proper cultural background.
June 14, 2024
interesting worldview and insights, you can see how they appear so attractive to man's/male thinking - fiercely independent and focused on solving one's problems and standing in life, as well as finding a higher purpose that pushes one through - attractive to the mind for practical coping with suffering and existence yet false and useless in eternity and facing God's judgment.
on an obvious note, Musashi's thinking is deeply influenced by Buddhism and eastern transcendental thinking - to transcend oneself, think lowly of oneself and highly of the world, renounce desires, become one with the "universal spiritual being", oneness and eastern enlightenment - all of these, as a Christian, I know are objectively false and cannot recommend to young (faith) Christian Trinitarian believers (unless they come knowing the Buddhist influence on Musashi's writings ; or they have some training and education in theology, philosophy, eastern history or history of religion).
good use to the book for Christian men ? - understanding the novel and highly popular stoic, eastern and "code of honor" mentalities, finding a bridge for communication and understanding with non-believers (not-born-again) who adhere to these ideas.
you could see how principles like hard work, mastery and dedication to one's craft are timeless and work across cultures (thinking of Proverbs) and a tint of creativity in actions and not being bound to customs and cultural norms give you independence, flexibility and a high sense of freedom at the cost of being an outcast - Musashi chose one form of suffering over another, but where does all of this lead to in the end ?
on an obvious note, Musashi's thinking is deeply influenced by Buddhism and eastern transcendental thinking - to transcend oneself, think lowly of oneself and highly of the world, renounce desires, become one with the "universal spiritual being", oneness and eastern enlightenment - all of these, as a Christian, I know are objectively false and cannot recommend to young (faith) Christian Trinitarian believers (unless they come knowing the Buddhist influence on Musashi's writings ; or they have some training and education in theology, philosophy, eastern history or history of religion).
good use to the book for Christian men ? - understanding the novel and highly popular stoic, eastern and "code of honor" mentalities, finding a bridge for communication and understanding with non-believers (not-born-again) who adhere to these ideas.
you could see how principles like hard work, mastery and dedication to one's craft are timeless and work across cultures (thinking of Proverbs) and a tint of creativity in actions and not being bound to customs and cultural norms give you independence, flexibility and a high sense of freedom at the cost of being an outcast - Musashi chose one form of suffering over another, but where does all of this lead to in the end ?
January 22, 2023
21 percepts from Miyamoto Musashi that being interpreted by 5 differences background: a monk, a warrior, a teacher, a businessman, and an insurance executive. It's interesting how difference background interprets each Musashi precept differently. By that I learn how to interpret what I read more deeply and not just take what it is.
About the precepts itself, it's more on less can be accept as some kind of insight toward our attitude toward the world. Like one I like is precept number 4 "Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world". Related to how to manage our ego and the freedom that come to us when we detached from taking everything personally.
Above all, one that resonate a lot is on conclusive statement when said that our live is nothing but a "dead reckoning". Our life is a journey where we are already where we are, decided by our past experiences, and so challenging that we don't have so much control about where we come from and where we will be going.
But we have control over our position right now and can use past experience and future visualization to build our own wisdom. The challenge is that in this journey, there is no manual, no navigation, no clue about whatsoever. Like no manual about how to use our body, no navigation to our career path, and we can foresee what will happen in our future. That's why what we must do the best is just take whatever path that make sense to us, suits our individual needs, and then making it our own guidance for become our truly self.
About the precepts itself, it's more on less can be accept as some kind of insight toward our attitude toward the world. Like one I like is precept number 4 "Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world". Related to how to manage our ego and the freedom that come to us when we detached from taking everything personally.
Above all, one that resonate a lot is on conclusive statement when said that our live is nothing but a "dead reckoning". Our life is a journey where we are already where we are, decided by our past experiences, and so challenging that we don't have so much control about where we come from and where we will be going.
But we have control over our position right now and can use past experience and future visualization to build our own wisdom. The challenge is that in this journey, there is no manual, no navigation, no clue about whatsoever. Like no manual about how to use our body, no navigation to our career path, and we can foresee what will happen in our future. That's why what we must do the best is just take whatever path that make sense to us, suits our individual needs, and then making it our own guidance for become our truly self.
April 20, 2018
Full Disclosure: I received a free, autographed copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And yes, with these authors honest is a very real part of the requirement. It's part of why I follow them and devour their publications when I find them.
This is an interpretation of the original precepts from Miyamoto Musashi. The precepts are taken one by one and interpreted from several viewpoints, that of a monk, a businessman, an insurance adjuster, a warrior, and a teacher, though not actually in that order. The combination of perspectives is very illuminating and triggered my brain into deep thought for each of the precepts. Which also meant that once I read a chapter I had to put the book down and ruminate upon it for a while before moving to the next precept. How long varied by precept. I learned new things from each precept and each of the interpretations of them. Musashi was, by modern sensibilities, very much a functional psychopath. That doesn't mean, as is alarmingly the assumption these days, that everything about him should be wiped from history. Quite the opposite, as we can learn from him, who he was, and what he did. That doesn't mean we aim to become pyschos or even remotely risk becoming pyschos. It means we can use what he did and what he taught to make ourselves better, and the immediate comparisons offered up by the combinations of perspectives in this book are extremely useful for doing that.
This is an interpretation of the original precepts from Miyamoto Musashi. The precepts are taken one by one and interpreted from several viewpoints, that of a monk, a businessman, an insurance adjuster, a warrior, and a teacher, though not actually in that order. The combination of perspectives is very illuminating and triggered my brain into deep thought for each of the precepts. Which also meant that once I read a chapter I had to put the book down and ruminate upon it for a while before moving to the next precept. How long varied by precept. I learned new things from each precept and each of the interpretations of them. Musashi was, by modern sensibilities, very much a functional psychopath. That doesn't mean, as is alarmingly the assumption these days, that everything about him should be wiped from history. Quite the opposite, as we can learn from him, who he was, and what he did. That doesn't mean we aim to become pyschos or even remotely risk becoming pyschos. It means we can use what he did and what he taught to make ourselves better, and the immediate comparisons offered up by the combinations of perspectives in this book are extremely useful for doing that.
February 26, 2024
1. Accept everything just the way it is.
2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.
6. Do not regret what you have done.
7. Never be jealous.
8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.
10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
11. In all things have no preferences.
12. Be indifferent to where you live.
13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.
14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
15. Do not act following customary beliefs.
16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
17. Do not fear death.
18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.
20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.
21. Never stray from the Way.
I will study these principles during class... I only read them, not the book with some people's interpretations.
2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.
6. Do not regret what you have done.
7. Never be jealous.
8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.
10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
11. In all things have no preferences.
12. Be indifferent to where you live.
13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.
14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
15. Do not act following customary beliefs.
16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
17. Do not fear death.
18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.
20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.
21. Never stray from the Way.
I will study these principles during class... I only read them, not the book with some people's interpretations.
July 27, 2024
I was interested in Musashi's precepts, and the idea of reading them with several different interpretations to help see the meaning from various angles intrigued me.
Each precept is analysed from 5 perspectives, a monk, a warrior, a teacher, an insurance executive and a businessman in that order. I decided to read each interpretation and later think how the precept relates to me personally.
And I have advice for those who want to do the same. Either skip the businessmen's analysis entirely or read it before the others to get it out of the way. Why? Because he absolutely kills the vibe. Most of the time he just goes on a buzzword filled business talk that has nothing to do with the main idea of a precept.
Example. Precept 19. "Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help". What the businessman talks about? Risk assessment and crisis management.
Other than that the book is mediocre.
Each precept is analysed from 5 perspectives, a monk, a warrior, a teacher, an insurance executive and a businessman in that order. I decided to read each interpretation and later think how the precept relates to me personally.
And I have advice for those who want to do the same. Either skip the businessmen's analysis entirely or read it before the others to get it out of the way. Why? Because he absolutely kills the vibe. Most of the time he just goes on a buzzword filled business talk that has nothing to do with the main idea of a precept.
Example. Precept 19. "Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help". What the businessman talks about? Risk assessment and crisis management.
Other than that the book is mediocre.
August 12, 2025
The Dokkodo is a work of art about discipline, hardship and achieving selfmastery.
This book lets 5 random white guys interpred it and claim they know it better. I literally threw it in the trash after 50 pages. What a disgrace.
If you cant stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Dokkodo and ultimate discipline is not for you.
And displaying the best swordsman ever as a psychopath? Go do something else mister buisnessman, you will never get the point.
The book is obvious, shallow, mediocre and not worth your money. Buy the original works of Musashi and meditate/act on it the way you want.
This book lets 5 random white guys interpred it and claim they know it better. I literally threw it in the trash after 50 pages. What a disgrace.
If you cant stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Dokkodo and ultimate discipline is not for you.
And displaying the best swordsman ever as a psychopath? Go do something else mister buisnessman, you will never get the point.
The book is obvious, shallow, mediocre and not worth your money. Buy the original works of Musashi and meditate/act on it the way you want.
August 29, 2025
The older I get, the more picky I have become in giving a book five stars. However, after much deliberation, I believe this little book does in fact deserve its five stars.
As our world continues to grow darker and more susceptible to the evil forces trying to bring us under, out of nowhere comes Dokkōdō. Miyamoto Musashi's words speak to me the same way Marcus Aurelius did for me when I read 'Meditations'.
Our world is full of distractions and instant gratification. Musashi's precepts are needed more than ever in this unhinged and hostile society we currently find ourselves in.
As our world continues to grow darker and more susceptible to the evil forces trying to bring us under, out of nowhere comes Dokkōdō. Miyamoto Musashi's words speak to me the same way Marcus Aurelius did for me when I read 'Meditations'.
Our world is full of distractions and instant gratification. Musashi's precepts are needed more than ever in this unhinged and hostile society we currently find ourselves in.
April 29, 2021
This is an interesting book. I don't think it can be applied as is in everyday, unless you really want to be a monk. But in some situations or a certain professional contexts it is applicable, if you want to have an impassive approach.
To keep with the brevity of the verses:
1. Read well, apply wisely within context.
2. Times may have changed, not the problems.
3. Somebody's solution may not work for you, but a framework might help.
4. Relax, nothing is in control.
5. Go figure... ;)
To keep with the brevity of the verses:
1. Read well, apply wisely within context.
2. Times may have changed, not the problems.
3. Somebody's solution may not work for you, but a framework might help.
4. Relax, nothing is in control.
5. Go figure... ;)
October 8, 2022
Japon bir savaşçı olan Miyamoto Musashi'nin hayata olan bakış açısını ve belirlediği 21 ilkeyi hem zamanın koşullarına, hem günümüz koşullarına, hem de farklı alanlarda uzmanlaşmış 5 kişinin farklı yaşam tarzlarına göre yorumlandığı bir kitap. Okuma süreci boyunca bu ilkelerin anlamlarını düşünmekle beraber kendi yolunuzu bulmanıza teşvik ediliyorsunuz.
İlkeler üzerine net bir karara ulaşana kadar başucu kitabım.
İlkeler üzerine net bir karara ulaşana kadar başucu kitabım.
June 9, 2023
Just before Musashi died, he wrote a set of precepts for his favourite student. In this book the precepts are discussed one by one by five martial artists from different backgrounds and careers.
A really good look at Musashi and his ideas with five different interpretations of both the man, the legend and his precepts.
A must read for those of us who are interested in Japanese culture, especially from the feudal era.
Bye for now.
A really good look at Musashi and his ideas with five different interpretations of both the man, the legend and his precepts.
A must read for those of us who are interested in Japanese culture, especially from the feudal era.
Bye for now.
July 18, 2023
Totally recommendable!
I dig how this is formatted. Each of Musashi's rules is analyzed from five different points of view; each perspective has it's unique list of pros and cons. The debate is not so much tempered as it is informative. It's a very enlightening way to discuss any philosophy I think, and I got a lot from reading this.
I dig how this is formatted. Each of Musashi's rules is analyzed from five different points of view; each perspective has it's unique list of pros and cons. The debate is not so much tempered as it is informative. It's a very enlightening way to discuss any philosophy I think, and I got a lot from reading this.
September 6, 2023
The book dives too little into Musashi, his life, the context of the time, his feats, etc but instead chooses to show the editors' understanding and applicability. If you want to contest his writing, please do but to use his name as the author and then go on to diminish his writings is an insult to the dead.
February 8, 2025
Musashi's original set of principles was rather described so broardly that serious thinking would be needed for one to be able to understand and adapt such ideas in their life. Kane and Wilder's interpretations of such principles in different contexts provide interesting ways to comprehend meanings coming from the words of The Sword Saint.
February 16, 2018
It had some good insights. The precepts are essentially 21 sentences interpreted by five different people. I read about what I need (some were very relevant) and skipped some others (didn't apply at all). A book worth checking out though.
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