The Book of Five Rings

translations in existence. In 2000, I spent two and a half years analyzing three of these translations with exchange students from the University of Texas. These texts were flawed in that sections were missing or the translators had misinterpreted Musashi’s words.

Another problem with previous translations was that the commentaries were clearly influenced by novels. Because of this, I strongly felt it was necessary that an accurate translation of Musashi’s work should be published. This book is that translation.

The story of Miyamoto Musashi is well-known through the famous novel by Yoshikawa Eiji which formed the central storyline for many movies and television productions about the famous samurai swordsman. As such, the real Musashi has been largely obscured by fictional accounts.

Back in 2002 when I was at the Budo and Sports Science Research Institute at the International Budo University, I focused my energies on collating as many sources related to Musashi as I could. I scrutinized all of them to corroborate their historical reliability, and on the basis of this I was finally able to form an accurate version of Musashi’s Gorin-no-sho which is the source Dr.

Bennett has used to create this translation. With swordsmanship at its core, Gorin-no-sho is an exposé of the model warrior way of life. Musashi enjoyed the patronage of daimyo lords as a guest in their domains, and his adopted son, Iori, became a Senior Councilor in the service of a daimyo related to none other than Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Throughout his career, Musashi participated in four military campaigns. Based on these experiences, in Gorin-no-sho he beseeches the warrior to not only excel above all others in his study of swordsmanship but to also aspire for excellence in all aspects of his daily life.