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Samurai Strategies: 42 Martial Secrets from Musashi's Book of Five Rings
The astounding transformation of tiny, resource-poor Japan into the world's second largest economy in the span of less than 30 years was due to the ongoing influence of an ancient samurai code of ethics-a code that once made the Japanese unbeatable warriors in hand-to-hand combat and which now makes them formidable strategists in business and other fields.
The most famous combat strategist in Japanese history was Musashi Miyamoto, a warrior who lived from 1584 to 1645. Musashi fought his first duel to the death when he was 13, killing a veteran warrior more than twice his age. By the time he was 29 he had killed over 60 other warriors in death duels and was a legend in his own time.
Just before he died, Musashi recorded his philosophy, strategies, and tactics in a short treatise entitled Go Rin Sho "The Book of Five Rings". Samurai Strategies has extracted the fundamentals of Musashi's tactics from this esoteric little book and explains them here in the modern context of business, politics, and war. Musashi's strategies for winning are as valid today as they were in seventeenth century Japan and provide valuable insights for anyone in any field of endeavor--from business, war, and sports to the fields of art, love, and politics.
The most famous combat strategist in Japanese history was Musashi Miyamoto, a warrior who lived from 1584 to 1645. Musashi fought his first duel to the death when he was 13, killing a veteran warrior more than twice his age. By the time he was 29 he had killed over 60 other warriors in death duels and was a legend in his own time.
Just before he died, Musashi recorded his philosophy, strategies, and tactics in a short treatise entitled Go Rin Sho "The Book of Five Rings". Samurai Strategies has extracted the fundamentals of Musashi's tactics from this esoteric little book and explains them here in the modern context of business, politics, and war. Musashi's strategies for winning are as valid today as they were in seventeenth century Japan and provide valuable insights for anyone in any field of endeavor--from business, war, and sports to the fields of art, love, and politics.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
20 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Boyé Lafayette De Mente
198 books25 followersBoyé Lafayette De Mente was an author, journalist, and adventurer. He wrote more than 100 books, most of them about the culture and language of Japan, East Asia, and Mexico.
De Mente joined the U.S. Navy and began his career as a cryptographer based in Washington, D.C. In 1948, he joined the U.S. Army Security Agency and was a decoding technician stationed in Tokyo. While there, he he founded and edited the agency's newspaper, The ASA Star.
De Mente wrote the first English guides to the Japanese way of doing business ("Japanese Etiquette and Ethics in Business" in 1959 and "How to Do Business in Japan" in 1962). His other books run the gamut from language learning to the night-time "pink" trades in Japan, the sensual nature of Oriental cultures, male-female relations, and understanding and coping with the Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Mexican mindset in business and social situations. He has also written extensively about Mexico and his home state of Arizona.
De Mente joined the U.S. Navy and began his career as a cryptographer based in Washington, D.C. In 1948, he joined the U.S. Army Security Agency and was a decoding technician stationed in Tokyo. While there, he he founded and edited the agency's newspaper, The ASA Star.
De Mente wrote the first English guides to the Japanese way of doing business ("Japanese Etiquette and Ethics in Business" in 1959 and "How to Do Business in Japan" in 1962). His other books run the gamut from language learning to the night-time "pink" trades in Japan, the sensual nature of Oriental cultures, male-female relations, and understanding and coping with the Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Mexican mindset in business and social situations. He has also written extensively about Mexico and his home state of Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 9, 2025
I have read several variations on Musashi's 5-ring book. This also aims to explain and simplify a book, which in my opinion can offer a way of life that is difficult to copy, but certainly not difficult to understand. Still a valuable insight into the subject.
Ho letto parecchie variazioni sul libro dei 5 anelli di Musashi. Anche questo si propone di spiegare e semplificare un libro, che secondo me puó offrire uno stile di vita difficile da copiare, ma certo non é difficile da capire. Comunque un valido approfondimento sul tema.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Ho letto parecchie variazioni sul libro dei 5 anelli di Musashi. Anche questo si propone di spiegare e semplificare un libro, che secondo me puó offrire uno stile di vita difficile da copiare, ma certo non é difficile da capire. Comunque un valido approfondimento sul tema.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
April 8, 2007
This is the best summary book on the work of Musashi. You should also read Five Rings and all the text but this is a great book to give a small and concise summary of all these strategies.
January 25, 2010
predictable...banal...
August 15, 2019
Very interesting to learn about the art of Musashi. But I was a bit disappointed when the book got repetitive or dismissive, it felt more like a starting point to look into the various ideas presented - definitely an accessible, quick read on an interesting subject.
One point that I jumped off of is the power of words and how they are presented; the subtle shifts we must differentiate between. The obvious one presented is to focus on the whole picture, but also to hone in on small important details. I also really liked how there were many different chapter with many different.
Overall, I would rate this book a 3 out of 5.
One point that I jumped off of is the power of words and how they are presented; the subtle shifts we must differentiate between. The obvious one presented is to focus on the whole picture, but also to hone in on small important details. I also really liked how there were many different chapter with many different.
Overall, I would rate this book a 3 out of 5.
January 14, 2018
Digests the Book of Five Rings for readers. It is probably a lot easier to read than the Book of Five Rings and also contains useful snippets on Musashi’s life and times to help readers understands the context. I had read Book of Five Rings as a teenager and found it difficult to understand and apply. Will try again after reading this. Helps readers to gain an understanding of Japanese culture and spirit. It can be a bit repetitive at times.
September 13, 2023
Overall a nice summary of the Book of Five Rings. It's fascinating how similar a lot of the philosophies are to that of Bruce Lee's "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" and Sun Tzu's "The Art of War." They definitely build upon one another.
July 14, 2018
It was alright, you'll want to read the book of five rings in conjunction with this text.
February 16, 2020
Picked it up at Goodwill. A short read, kindling for the reading fire. I liked it.
April 24, 2020
Excellent breakdown of 42 key lessons from the Book of Five Rings.
Definitely worth a read.
Definitely worth a read.
December 14, 2021
Should read this over and over everyday. Just one chapter a day.
August 15, 2023
Fun to read due to the subject matter but the commentaries of the author and trying to shoehorn military philosophy into business or sports makes this book fun but truncated.
June 21, 2015
Very interesting to learn about Musashi and touch on his advice, was a bit disappointed when the book got repetitive or dismissive ('and of course this is applicable today' etc, several chapters in a row). It felt more like a starting point to look into the various ideas presented - definitely an accessible, quick read on an interesting subject.
One point that I jumped off of is the power of words and how they are presented; the subtle shifts we must differentiate between. The obvious one presented is to focus on the whole picture, but also to hone in on small important details. Take too, for example, the advice to act before the enemy has time to think, yet also to play mind games to mess up his thinking, but also a well-trained warrior doesn't think and acts only on instincts. Strategy can be complicated.
Also, another good point is the explanation that Japanese culture encourages continued learning - e.g., samurai practice daily - there's no peak and then you're done with something. Hobbies and knowledge are lifelong pursuits.
One point that I jumped off of is the power of words and how they are presented; the subtle shifts we must differentiate between. The obvious one presented is to focus on the whole picture, but also to hone in on small important details. Take too, for example, the advice to act before the enemy has time to think, yet also to play mind games to mess up his thinking, but also a well-trained warrior doesn't think and acts only on instincts. Strategy can be complicated.
Also, another good point is the explanation that Japanese culture encourages continued learning - e.g., samurai practice daily - there's no peak and then you're done with something. Hobbies and knowledge are lifelong pursuits.
September 1, 2008
Much better book then one might imagine from the title. A philosophy for competitive success, drawn from “Book of Five Rings” by Musasi, the greatest Japanese swordsman. I love Musashi’s philosophy and find it more relevant to individual endeavor than the more famous “Art of War” by Sun Tzu which is geared to leaders of a large enterprise such as an army, a state, or big corporation. Samurai Strategies was so insightful that I am going to do something I never do, and read the book again.
August 5, 2014
An interesting and modern look from a classic. Don't let the title fool you, this is a great philosophical treatise, a "self help" book if you will. But not in a 21st century whiny, I'm a victim way. I truly enjoy eastern philosophy and this book was clear and concise.
June 16, 2015
Anyone that is into strategy military or not should acquire this book. The strategies presented in this small big are with knowing and utilizing, it’s something different from the Art of War of Sun Tzu.
May 14, 2012
empowering.
July 19, 2013
singkat, padat, jelas.
nggak butuh waktu lama buat baca buku ini.
nggak butuh waktu lama buat baca buku ini.
March 27, 2014
One of those books it is good to come back to from time to time.
August 25, 2012
I come to know Musashi after reading this book
April 18, 2017
On the plus side, this book is very readable, being merely a set of short essays on topics relevant to Musashi's "Book of Five Rings."
On the down side, none of the essays is particularly enlightening, and many just shove two pages of words into ideas scarcely big enough for a paragraph.
If you're interested enough in Japanese philosophy, martial arts, or like like, just skip to the original work, i.e., Musashi's classic. The "Book of Five Rings" is very readable, and there are enough translations to suit a wide variety of readers. There's nothing in here that you wouldn't be better off deriving for yourself.
On the down side, none of the essays is particularly enlightening, and many just shove two pages of words into ideas scarcely big enough for a paragraph.
If you're interested enough in Japanese philosophy, martial arts, or like like, just skip to the original work, i.e., Musashi's classic. The "Book of Five Rings" is very readable, and there are enough translations to suit a wide variety of readers. There's nothing in here that you wouldn't be better off deriving for yourself.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews