Hagakure: The Book Of The Samurai

by Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Other authorsW. S. Wilson (Translator)

Paperback, 2000

Status

Available

Call number

796

Genres

Religion & Spirituality

Publication

Kodansha International Ltd (2000), 180 pages

Description

Learn the secrets of Japan's samurai warrior code with this definitive translation of the Hagakure-the bushido manual of the samurai. The Hagakure is one of the most influential of all Japanese texts-written nearly 300 years ago by Tsunetomo Yamamoto to summarize the very essence of the Japanese Samurai bushido ("warrior") spirit. Its influence has been felt throughout the world and yet its existence is scarcely known to many Westerners. This is the first translation to include the complete first two books of the Hagakure and the most reliable and authentic passages contained within the third book. All other English translations published previously have been extremely fragmentary and incomplete. Alex Bennett's completely new and highly readable translation of this essential work includes extensive footnotes that serve to fill in many cultural and historical gaps in the previous translations. This unique combination of readability and scholarship gives Bennett's translation a distinct advantage over all previous English editions.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member shawnd

This book was scribed by a younger samurai who sat basically at the deathbed of the samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo. For seven years, the scribe sat and had conversations with Tsunetomo. Tsunetomo had become a monk after the death of his 'Master' in 1700. By 1716 the conversations ended, the result was

a large manuscript. Hagakure is a compilation or thread of the most meaningful and 'best' of the manuscript.

The book is a mix of advice, stories, Buddhist teachings and koans, and direction on how to be the best samurai possible. As is more realistic and pure samurai teachings, this focuses less on swordplay than do most of the contemporary 20th and 21st century movies. The book is very much about loyalty--so much so that it is bound to conflict with modern and especially American views of independence, bootstrapping, etc.

Because it is written in small chunks without a specific plot or flow, I found the book to be great as a 'daily reader'. The author seems very calm, sane and without anger, and while I suspect no one would call him Enlightened, it reads without malice. From a Buddhist perspective, I had good luck replacing the word 'master' with 'compassion' and it worked almost seamlessly as a Buddhist reading meditation.

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LibraryThing member HoraceSPatoot

This book was a disappointment, perhaps because I expected something along the lines of the Art of War or The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho) that would have relevance to today's urban warrior.

Instead, this would be a good book to give to a dog (if that dog could read). It is mostly about how to

be a single-mindedly subservient retainer. I found very little to take away from it that would improve my martial arts, my daily life, or for that matter, my self esteem. It's all about being someone whose life is worthless, except as an unquestioning, willing martyr for one's boss.

This book was quoted several times in Ghost Dog, and I had to check to see that the quotes were really in there. I think those few references contain all of the quotable insight in the whole book.

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LibraryThing member soylentgreen23

The "Hagakure" is the rulebook for being a samura in that most interesting periods in world history, that of feudal Japan. The writing is remarkably fresh for so old a piece, and one is greatful for the work done by the translator in making it so.

The most memorable aspect of the book is the fact

that so many rules ended with 'the disgraced samurai is then supposed to commit seppuku - ritual suicide.' Even if he forgets to put the seat down!

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LibraryThing member djlimb

Its alright but its probably not like what you think it I'll be like. Its more a guide to how to survive in the buisness world, similar to how to make friends... and books of that ilk. Yes you do have bits like "imagine yourself being ripped apart by arrows..." but at the same time you have it

telling you to lie constantly for some relations, that if you are going to a party you should leave early before they get bored of your company, that too win an argument you should not confront people, but listen to their point say "I see that's what I was thinking, but..." and then attach your opposite view on the end.
I dunno, it seems a bit half baked at times but ots interesting none the less.

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LibraryThing member BooksForDinner

Never read cover to cover... browsed here and there... classic 17th century Asian philosophy

LibraryThing member nicdevera

Another one I read years ago. Note the biohazard kamon on the cover.

LibraryThing member jamestomasino

Some fascinating historical perspectives mixed with wisdom and what I can only describe as an alien mindset. I recommend this book not to those seeking a greater understanding of Zen, but rather to those who want to understand the spiritual underpinnings of samurai culture.

LibraryThing member markm2315

If you learn one thing from this book, it is that advice is cheap.

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