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 enlarge | Author: Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Creator: William Scott Wilson
Publisher: Kodansha International
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $11.36
You Save: $8.59 (43%)
New (29) Used (9) from $11.36
Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 37568
Format: Special Edition
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Gift edition
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 4770029160
Dewey Decimal Number: 796
EAN: 9784770029164
ASIN: 4770029160
Publication Date: August 30, 2002
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Condition: Brand new Book, ALL days Low Price !
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| Customer Reviews:
 A classic! September 26, 2007
This is one of the best historical texts available on the subject of Japanese warrior philosophy. While many of its practices seem alien to the 21st century reader, there is still much wisdom to be found here. I have read this book many times over the years. I will very likely continue to read it again and again.Bushido: A Modern Adaptation of the Ancient Code of the SamuraiMeditations (Penguin Classics)
What many overlook June 7, 2007
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
Though I am here to review this book I must comment on previous editorials and reviews posted. As you may have just read, this book is about the mindset of the Samurai. And really, it isn't about the samurai as in a sense of all samurais lumped together as one group, or even a type of samurai, as it is more about just one samurai, the author. However, many of the reviewers here fail to make the connection with this book to today's trials and tribulations.
Much of what Hagakures writes is outdated - instructions and etiquette on murder, suicide, treatment of women, etc. However, there is much of this book that is applicable to today. Look through the absurd passages into the lesson behind the text. Portions of this book that discuss fighting enemies, too, are outdated. But one must make the connection of terms like `enemy' with struggle or test; etiquette on waking up from a nap doesn't necessarily refer to literally waking from slumber. There is so much in this book that many will never see if they read it without pondering its teachings. The references to specific situations may seem obsolete, but one must look deeper.
The Bible passage of not putting a stumbling block before a blind man does directly mean just that. However, a blind man does not necessarily refer to a man without his eyesight. And a stumbling block may not be a physical object. If one can truly read this book without paying so much attention to the writer, and more to translating the deeper meaning between each passage, then this book will change your life. Passages of awaking from sleep, the spirit of an age, tackling obstacles without complexity, form and emptiness, and (my absolute favorite) the lesson of a rainstorm, will undoubtedly bestow a new level of understanding life to any deep reader.
I recommend this book for all of the reasons others have previously listed; but I also recommend this book for so many more.
Hagakure March 29, 2007
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book is a wonderful look into the hearts and minds of the Samauri. Anybody intrested in trying to comprehend the Samauri mindset should start here. The book gives you a clear point of view on basic life, from doing good versus bad, to manners, to raising children, and everything inbetween all from the ancient Samauri ways of life. The world today would be a much better place if more people were to live their lives in this manner.
Insightful lessons February 17, 2007
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
Hagakure is a very interesting book in the genre of "The Art of War" and "The Book of Five Rings" - on the surface it is about martial valor, underneath it contains broader principles applicable to all facets of life. Similr to "The Art of War" (or even "The Prince") the book needs to be taken in historical context - it was written after Tokugawa had unified Japan, as the Samurai were redefining their purpose away from being pure fighters.
Some of the stories, or lessons are immediately relevent, such as, "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. This person is genteel."
Others are lost, "The master took a book from its box. When he openned it there was the smell of drying clovebuds" - Not enough context for this reader to understand the lesson. (To read or not to read - is that the question?)
The book certainly falls under the banner of wisdom literature that has stood the test of time. For a western reader, it requires (and helps develop) an understanding of the time period written. For all readers, the parables do require critical thinking - it isn't everything for everyone, but there's a lot to be learned.
Interesting Book, but keep it in context. February 16, 2007
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
Hagakure is a very interesting and enjoyable read which can open up lots of opportunities for discussion and reflection. Enthusiasts of the samurai ways and Japanese history will easily see its value. This translation is by far the most popular. It is very readable and yet not so dumbed down that it loses the enigmatic spirit of the original.
It is important to note, however, that even though here in America the book is often marketed as "The Book of the Samurai," the work itself is representative of the opinions and principles of Tsunetomo himself. All manner of samurai thought and tradition is not found in full in this book alone, in fact, Tsunetomo's approach was considered rather extreme even for his own time. The practice of suifuku (seppukku upon the death of one's lord), for instance, was declared illegal because of its being overkill. Tsunetomo was of the opinion that it was a sign of utmost respect, but many other samurai would have disagreed because of its impracticality (seriously, the whole clan would cease to be!).
I'm saying all this simply to remind readers that Hagakure is not such a general and encompassing work on the samurai culture as it is often made out to be. I recommend it to anyone interested in the samurai, but I also recommend much further reading.
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