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Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai




  • 010 4  I was looking around for a time for a book on ethics that directly spoke to the issues of those in the professional warrior class . Why ? Well for those of us in the corporate world , those that have any depth of experience that is , that there are issues of ethics popping up quite frequently . The company that you work for likely presents you with a set of values the day that you start working for them , which is OK , that is if you do not think for yourself . While those values may suffice for many , it is important to remember that it is at the end of the day your choice to believe in those stated values and follow them , it is a part of the work contract that you have with your employer . I for one , am one of those people who do think about the ramifications and consequences of what it is that I do , and what values I do follow , I have to . I am , what some call a Corporate Samurai , and have studied the subject as deeply and thoughtfully as I can . When it comes to ethics , the values of some company's managers that say that they follow these values does not match the truth of their actions . It sometimes becomes very clear that not all follow what they say they do from a values or ethics standpoint . So what happens when you find out your beloved company's values are merely words on a piece of paper , and that your manager doesn't really believe in them ? What do you do ? How are you really supposed to deal with the challenges of your work life ? In that case , I recommend reading up on the ethics of those who had to literally take heads as a part of their code of honor . Why ? They lived in harsh times , and where conduct and honor , ( professionalism would be the modern day equivalent ) , were the measure of a man . ( Women also followed the Code of the Samurai but this is not a dissertation on supporting or denigrating feminism ) . It was a standard of behavior , and a code of conduct that even to this day is still revered as a standard of excellence . I took my time and measured it against every other single military code of conduct that has existed through out time , and could find no equal , except in religious and spiritual texts that spoke on matters of ethics . While some advocate religious or spiritual texts for principles and guidance for their careers , and some of those are quite good , I am not knocking them . However it was clear at least to me that works for some people but not all people in all situations . Think analogously about how ethics plays out in your life and how it is measured , are they your ethics , your code of honor , or are they borrowed from your company or from somewhere else ? It is your life , you do with it , as you will . Richard Platt ( former ) Intel - Global Innovation Program Manager and Senior Instructor for Innovation Methods
    • 001 4  This book features sayings and anecdotes from an aging Samurai who died around 1700 . It is a quick and entertaining read , and offers great perspective both on the individual who wrote it , and on the general theory of being a samurai . There is an obvious sense of loss in many of the passages which comment on how things in contemporary society ( of the 1700s ) are so different from years past . This book , intentionally or not , captures the spirit of those older days , and serves both as a manual for younger samurai , and as a historical document for people who are interested in The Way of the Samurai today . In his excellent introduction , the translator makes the very relevant point that this book is not a rigorous philosophical treatise , at least not in the way that Western scholars would define it . Instead , it is a collection of stories and phrases about a certain way of living . It doesn't hold up to scientific cross-examination ( the author contradicts himself frequently ) , but it shouldn't have to . Yamamoto gives the impression that if faced with a philosophical attack on his way , he would shrug his shoulders and say , Yes , but that doesn't change a thing . In other words , his examples and aphorisms speak for themselves , and are not meant to either exclude other points of view or force others into conformity . Yamamoto even states that the Way he advocates is specific to his region of Japan - - samurai of neighboring regions are free to develop their own Ways . The passages in the book usually focus on one of two topics : bravery , or etiquette . Yamamoto offers a lot of advice on charging into battle , seeking revenge , executing others , etc . The main thrust of most of it is : the Samurai does not spend a lot of time thinking about killing his enemy . He just rushes in and gets it over with . On matters of etiquette , Yamamoto discusses the proper way to hold a Tea Ceremony , how to cover up a yawn , how to pay attention to people you are talking to , and so on . One of the charming aspects of this book is that right after discussing the swiftest way to cut off someone's head , he'll discuss how to make yourself look nice even if you have a hangover . This could be a result of the editing , but it still makes for entertaining reading . The other theme that permeates almost every paragraph of the book is loyalty to one's master . Yamamoto never tires of discussing the extremes that a samurai should go to so that he may honor his master and show his loyalty . He gives the example of a samurai who was being beaten by his master : during the course of the beating , the master dropped his staff down a hill , so the samurai immediately ran down to retrieve it , and return the staff to his master so he could continue to be beaten . Of course , the ultimate act of loyalty to one's master is to kill oneself after his death . Yamamoto spends a great deal of time discussing various aspects of this tradition , and regrets that his own master forbade him to commit suicide in such a way . The book reads very quickly ( it took me about 4 hours ) , in part because it is organized into brief paragraphs and anecdotes ( much like a book of sayings ) , and in part because the underlying material is almost inherently fascinating . It gives a very complete picture of the state of mind of an aging samurai , and depicts the world of the samurai as it existed in the 17th century . The translation flows very well , though I cannot attest to its accuracy , and the translator includes a somewhat useful glossary in the back of the book , as well as the introduction which I mentioned . I should also mention , for the curious , that this is the translation that Jim Jarmusch used as the source of his aphorisms in the recent film Ghost Dog : The Way of the Samurai .
    • 002 4  . . . if you are slain in battle , you should be resolved to have your corpse facing the enemy . Yamamoto Tsunetomo Hagakure - - which can be translated as either hidden leaves or hidden by leaves - - was published on September 10 , 1716 . It is a compilation of the philosphies of Yamamoto Tsunetomo , a close retainer of Nabeshima Mitsushige , the third ruler of what is now Saga Prefecture . The book can be very dry , especially if a person is not especially interested in Japanese history or Samurai thought . But if one does enjoy those subjects , Hagakure is interesting not so much for all of its philosophies , which run from the profound to the mundane to the absurd , but rather for the historical context in which it was written . By the time Mitsushige passed away in May 1700 , Japan had been at peace for almost exactly 100 years . This left the samurai with the same problem facing our modern military : how do you remain a proud , disciplined warrior in times of extended peace ? Reading carefully for the feeling of the passages rather than just the facts , one gets a sense for how the fanatical , death-driven , honor-obsessed samurai of feudal Japan must have felt as they watched their profession stagnate . Tsunetomo himself was forbidden to commit junshi , a retainer's ritual suicide in order to follow his master into death , by the command of the Tokugawa Shogunate . No doubt , this added to his misery and frustration . So , in a way , Hagakure is not just The Book of the Samurai , but also a last bit of verbal bravado from a dying breed . It is particularly ironic if you read the version adapted by one of Japan's most celebrated authors , Mishima Yukio , who commited ritual suicide samurai-style ( called hara-kiri or more often seppuku ) in the office of Japan Self Defense Force General Mashita for numerous reasons including Mishima's obsession with bushido , the way of the warrior , which is embodied within Hagakure . . The philosophy of Hagakure is typical of the unique blend of Zen and Confucianism that was prevalent during Edo Era ( 1600 - 1868 ) Japan . This particular social system was promulgated by the Tokugawa Shogunate because it added to the focus of Zen the Confucian emphasis on ancestor worship , which strengthened the status quo and the concept of feudal class systems . Although Japan is becoming increasingly Westernized in recent times , the Tokugawa Shogunate's 268 - year rule still has a strong subconscious impact on Japanese behaviour . So , to better understand the Japanese , it is useful to understand their socio-political history , though it is certainly true that most Japanese ( esp . those under 30 ) have never heard of Hagakure or Yamamoto Tsunetomo . In addition to the historical character sketch it paints of samurai during the Edo Era , there are some gems of Eastern philosophy to be mined from the book , including the idea that one must always focus on every moment of his life , so that he may not be found negligent . For as Yamamoto writes in Hagakure , The end is important in all things . By this he means that if everything else goes well , the one bad thing that happens at the end of the day , so to speak , is what people will remember when they think about you . For Yamamoto , however , Hagakure is the legacy he is remembered by .
    • 003 4  Whether you find HAGAKURE of interest depends on your approach to the book . Although this is not a book of sword technique , it is much like a traditional sword master , teaching only what the student is open enough to know , and teaching on many levels . On one level , it is a book of eyewitness accounts and stories from the decline of the Samurai era . Tsunetomo has a gift for storytelling , and for slipping in little details that might be of use to the aspiring Bushi . For example , do you know the quickest , easiest way to remove a dead enemies ' face from his skull ? He also gossips in an entertaining way about the lives of various local notables . It is as if you are having dinner with a slighly cynical , retired Samurai , the saki is passed around , and he begins talking freely . On another level the book adresses the questions of loyalty , honor , and the meaning of life . It celebrates virtue and valor , while avoiding the sugarcoating that such subjects get in the west . Anyone who faces dangers and obstacles in their day to day walk will find this little book strangely supportive . In this age where loyalty has a price , and commitment is a meaningless word , the savage beauty and strange purity of the Bushi mind , as revealed by Tsunetomo , can strengthen the heart , and recharge the mind . IF YOU LIKE HAGAKURE , you should read : THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS , Miamoto Mushashi THE UNFETTERED MIND , Takuan Soho ACTS OF WORSHIP , Yukio Mishima
    • 004 4  HAGAKURE : The Book of the Samurai is a very interesting book which describes the everyday life and mindset of a samurai . For those that are not interested in the Samurai thought , this book may appear rather dry and in some instances , absurd . However , I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book . The book is made up of short entries of various topics . Whether it's describing a wise samurai's actions , or cracking jokes at the noblemen around him , it is obvious that Yamamoto Tsunetomo was truly a samurai in every aspect of his life . During Yamamoto's time , the prestige of the samurai was declining , due to a long period of peace in Japan . The samurai lived to die for his lord in battle , but how can one remain a noble samurai during times of peace ? Yamamoto answers this and many other questions in Hagakure . He also points out that when one is focused on dying , he will not be afraid in the presence of death . As Yamamoto liked to say , The way of the Samurai is found in death .
    • 005 4  This review is from : Hagakure : The Book of the Samauri ( Paperback ) Hagakure is a guide to the proper roll of a samurai during feudal times . Things such as expected behaviour , dying with honor , obeying one's lord , etc . . . For today's reader , this book offers several tips on the proper mindset when in combat from a samurai's point of view . Still , Some of these rules are , to say the least , a little strange . For a serious martial arts student , this book will probably find a place on your bookshelf ( if it hasn't already ) . However , if you saw the movie Ghost Dog and were expecting a book of straight warrior-wisdom , you may wish to consider the fact this book has a lot of Japanese history in it . Some of Hagakure's content is a little dry , and although it offers profound insight in some places , it can be a bit hard to sort out what is useful in today's world . Hagakure is also not put together in an user-friendly format . You have to search for specific quotes , because there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it's layout . This can be tough when you want to go back and review how something was phrased to better understand it . Still , this book is well worth the time and money . I have read it several times , and I'll probably read it several more . . .
    • 006 4  Hagakure is a guide to the proper roll of a samurai during feudal times . Things such as expected behaviour , dying with honor , obeying one's lord , etc . . . For today's reader , this book offers several tips on the proper mindset when in combat from a samurai's point of view . Still , Some of these rules are , to say the least , a little strange . For a serious martial arts student , this book will probably find a place on your bookshelf ( if it hasn't already ) . However , if you saw the movie Ghost Dog and were expecting a book of straight warrior-wisdom , you may wish to consider the fact this book has a lot of Japanese history in it . Some of Hagakure's content is a little dry , and although it offers profound insight in some places , it can be a bit hard to sort out what is useful in today's world . Hagakure is also not put together in an user-friendly format . You have to search for specific quotes , because there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it's layout . This can be tough when you want to go back and review how something was phrased to better understand it . Still , this book is well worth the time and money . I have read it several times , and I'll probably read it several more . . .
    • 007 4  Deliberate before purchasing this book unless you are a hardcore Japan fetishist . I know that most of the reviews here are glowing and I am nonplussed by this because , frankly , this book is definitely way too esoteric for most . Hagakure is a compilation of the selected musings of a ' retired ' Samurai as recorded by a disciple or admirer who visited him in his post-retirement gig as a Buddhist monk . These selections pertain to the day to day comportment of a ' good ' Samurai , sweeping statements about how things work , and examples of good ' Way . ' As this was dictated during the late 1600 ' s , you can imagine how otherworldly much of this information is , and frankly this is the book's main attraction : The total alterity of a supposed way of life of a discrete segment of the population of historical Japan . If one reads enough books about subjects Japanese , one is bound to run into excerpts of this book being quoted say , or displayed as chapter headings . This is because the book has some really excellent ' sound bites ' that beg to be used as such . Sadly , this nugget-like structure makes a linear reading of the book a bit of a bore . Also , if one reads the text closely ( assuming that the translator has done a good job , and I am not sure that I would concede this point ) , one is forced to realize that either the narrator is not a particularly deep-thinker or that the scribe to whom he spoke did only a fair job of capturing the essence of the narrator's speech . One needs only to have read , from Japan , Sei Shonagon's brilliant ' Pillow Book ' or ' The Story of a Rogue , ' as I believe it is called , for the contrast between these truly perceptive and insightful efforts and those found here to cast this book in a very poor light . I highly recommend an excellent book by Hiroaki Sato titled Legends of the Samurai where , incidentally , I believe that Yamamoto is quoted , as an alternative to this as a means of getting the Samurai perspective .
    • 008 4  Saw the movie after I had read the book . This is one of those books I read again and again . Similar how some are with the bible . Many good reviews in here , so don't want to retype what they have said , just wanted to add my 5 stars to the pile .
    • 009 4  I'm not quite sure I undertand how in the transition from hardcover to paperback , the family crest on the front got replaced by the biohazard emblem ? But that in itself makes it worthwhile owning the book , although perhaps you need an isolation suit to read it .
    • 011 4  I've read various versions of Hagakure , and this one is my favorite . Very philosophical and inspirational , delves into the mindset of one whose only dedication is to serving one's master and way , in everyday life , and into one's chosen path , the battlefield .
    • 012 4  The hagakure is a short book , but that does not mean that it is a short read . On the contrary , this is longest short read you will ever encounter . This book is dense , it will take you many reads to undestand this book . I have lost count of the amount of times that I have read it . Many deride this book as being written by an armchair samurai , noting the fact that yamamoto tsunetomo never actually fought in any battles . But this is the wrong way to look at the book . The Hagakure was written by a peace time samurai for peace time samurai , and is thus valuable for american practioners of the way . An invaluable book , recommended to all .
    • 013 4  I bought this book after seeing the movie Ghost Dog - Way of the Samurai . I didn't really know what to expect , but the book has some very interesting aspects on life and ways to live , that still work extremely well in todays society . I have at many times found myself in situations described in the book and even though some answers might be a bit hard to understand , the book has given me answers , or perhaps ways to answer / respond , in different situations . It's not really a book you read from cover to cover , but pick up and read a couple of rules every now and then , which after a while are in the back of your head , ready for use . I highly reccommend this book to pretty much every one .
    • 014 4  This is a great book however the problem lies with in ther traanslation . the problem is that only 300 of the 1300 phrases were translated . Although this translation gives the basic message that Master Tsunetomo was trying to get a cross you can not truly absorb thius book with out reading everything that Master Tsunetomo intended you to read . Also the entire 5th chapter is left out of this translation . I would recomend to everyone to find a better translation than this one .
    • 015 4  The bulk of the reviews prior to my own do a great job of covering the books aspects . However , I wanted to make one point in regards to those who , after reading the book , were really impressed by it . If you enjoyed reading the book , also try and find a copy of The Way of the Samurai Yukio Mishima on Hagakure in Modern Life from a library or used book store . It is out of print for the time being , but if you can get ahold of a copy you will get even more out of Hagakure after reading this book . I was fortunate enough to obtain both books around the same time and this really fostered my interest in bushido and the samurai culture in a very profound way as well as lead me to discover Mishima's works and life in regards to the samurai ideals .
    • 016 4  I have to truly say that I have mixed feelings about this one . It provides an eye opening view into the use of Bushido , beyond dry tellings of it's core beliefs . The Hagakure puts fire behind these beliefs and tells anecdotes reflecting this philosophy . The flip side of this is that Tsunetomo could truly be called a psychopath . One anecdote told of his walking down a crowded city street one day when his purse was stolen . Not seeing who had stolen it , he whipped out his katana and killed everyone within 10 feet to be sure that he got the cutpurse . I have to say that anyone interested in the study of Bushido , Budo or just Japanese history in general should buy this book . If you are looking for wisdom in these pages , take everything with a grain of salt . A big one . Think the size of your head .
    • 017 4  The Hagakure explains the Japanese warrior code ( Bushido ) simply and elegantly , and in a much more accessable manner than The Book of the 5 Rings , considered THE authority on the subject . The observations , thoughts and reflections of the author reflect the Zen aspect of the samurai code ( a samurai should reflect daily and in the most graphic manner his demise ) , as well as the strong Confucian influence on Japanese culture ( the tale of his Master , Nabeshima Mitsushige , covering his face with his sleeve in order not to see his men flustered when a wounded boar lunged at a hunting party ) in addition to the crisis of peace the samurai faced under the Tokugawa Shogunate ( providing advice on how to practice severing heads on the condemned . ) All in all it was fascinating , and a marvelous picture in time . I recommend this before reading Sun Tsu ( The Art of War ) or Mushashi ( A Book of Five Rings . )
    • 018 4  This book has gained its notoriety from Jim Jarmusch's excellent movie Ghost Dog - The Way of the Samurai . Personally , I would purchase this book anyway , because I'm fascinated about the samurai and their philosophy . I love it .
    • 019 4  An interesting historical treatise , well translated and engaging . It is filled with the musings of Yamamoto Tsunetomo ( 1659 - 1719 ) , a samurai retainer of the Nabeshima Clan who later became a Buddhist monk . Translated as In the Shadow of Leaves the various anecdotes cover everything from dying properly to how to avoid yawning in public . The Hagakure was once a secret text known only to the samurai vassals of the Hizen fief . Consequently this is translation offers unique insight into feudal Japan . It's not the easiest reading style-wise , but I suspect that is a result of the translation process . Overall it is very interesting and engaging . Lawrence Kane Author of Surviving Armed Assaults , The Way of Kata , and Martial Arts Instruction
    • 020 4  I read this book when it was near / below freezing outside ; I sat on a metal bench . I read with such intensity , that I needed the cold to dedicate my mind to the words I was reading . I was often confused by the writings , where I would think about them in great detail until the message became clear . Each paragraph is very important . It is a short book , but it should take longer to read than the Bible . I read it in two weeks , thanks to the cold , but , still , I missed more than I can imagine . Should your eyes miss one word , or a single thought take you away , you need read the passage again and again . This book will change your perspective . . . change how you view life . It is VERY philosophical , if you concentrate on the reading . I recommend it to those who need change in their lives , those who feel powerless but especially those who feel they cannot control their thoughts . This book is about concentration , dedication and loyalty . This is an important piece of literature !
    • 022 4  A previous review spoke of the passages in this book being a bit odd . I belive this book is a great way of begining shaping the mind to be open to the Way of the samurai . It is also interesting to note that although the author was never in any actual battles . The greatest sword ever made was never intended on being used .
    • 023 4  This review is from : Hagakure : The Book of the Samauri ( Paperback ) The hidden leaves of Yamamoto Tsunetomo were collected , between 1710 and 1716 , by a young samurai . Tsunetomo had been a samurai himself , when his original master died . Prevented by imperial command fromfollowing his lord into death , and unable to accept the new lord , Tsunetomo withdrew into monkhood . This collection summarizes the wisdom gained in his career . This book collects passages , a few lines to a page long , on a wandering range of topics . Some reflect on historical events , others on proper behavior , yet others on Zen and bushido . The range of topics appeals to me , making it easy to open the book at random and read until something touches on my current thoughts . One recurring theme is acceptance of human failure , with examples on pp 28 , 42 , and 113 . By analogy , a wooden beam may be a little out of true or hold little knots and weeps , but still be strong and sound - perfect boards are rare , and very rarely needed . He also acknowledges ( p .52 ) that great genius matures late , that one can not reach the highest achievements without twenty or thirty years of development . This has meaning for me personally , and I hope for the best . I have a few reservations about this translation , no matter how much I like it . It abridges the original 1300 - plus passages down to 300 , and abandoned the traditional organization of passages . I appreciate the brevity , but I wonder how much this non-native translator may have sacrificed in the abbreviation . This is an important look into the samurai's heart and mind - I do not see that becoming a monk ended his life as a samurai . It is cryptic at times , but describes difficult matters . It is as relevant today as when it was written , almost three centuries ago . / / wiredweird
    • 024 4  The hidden leaves of Yamamoto Tsunetomo were collected , between 1710 and 1716 , by a young samurai . Tsunetomo had been a samurai himself , when his original master died . Prevented by imperial command fromfollowing his lord into death , and unable to accept the new lord , Tsunetomo withdrew into monkhood . This collection summarizes the wisdom gained in his career . This book collects passages , a few lines to a page long , on a wandering range of topics . Some reflect on historical events , others on proper behavior , yet others on Zen and bushido . The range of topics appeals to me , making it easy to open the book at random and read until something touches on my current thoughts . One recurring theme is acceptance of human failure , with examples on pp 28 , 42 , and 113 . By analogy , a wooden beam may be a little out of true or hold little knots and weeps , but still be strong and sound - perfect boards are rare , and very rarely needed . He also acknowledges ( p .52 ) that great genius matures late , that one can not reach the highest achievements without twenty or thirty years of development . This has meaning for me personally , and I hope for the best . I have a few reservations about this translation , no matter how much I like it . It abridges the original 1300 - plus passages down to 300 , and abandoned the traditional organization of passages . I appreciate the brevity , but I wonder how much this non-native translator may have sacrificed in the abbreviation . This is an important look into the samurai's heart and mind - I do not see that becoming a monk ended his life as a samurai . It is cryptic at times , but describes difficult matters . It is as relevant today as when it was written , almost three centuries ago . / / wiredweird
    • 025 4  As a philosophical book , or a book about a way of living , I think the Hagakure falls short . Yamamoto Tsunetomo often comes across as simply an irritable , grumpy old badger . During his service to his lord , he never participated in a battle ( he lived in the Edo period ) and he was not really the world's greatest retainer either . Therefore it is difficult to put any merit into his personal ideas and philosophies . If you are looking for a book about the Samurai spirit , or way of the warrior , I highly recommend Code of the Samurai ( though the Cleary translation leaves a little to be desired ) , and the Wilson translation of the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi . Let me give an example of my viewpoint . The basis of Tsunetomo's idealogy seems to be that the greatest achievement of a samurai is to die for his lord . He goes so far as to say merit lies more in dying for one's master than in striking down the enemy . Granted , he lived in a time of peace , but as a warriors philosophy , this just doesn't ring true . It feels as though he took the Zen / Martial idea of losing all fear of death a little too far . Musashi's viewpoint in the Book of Five Rings seems far more correct . Musashi states that while a warrior should always be prepared for death and willing to die for one's lord , the essence of a warrior is actually in the striking down of an enemy . There is no other point to conflict than victory over your opponent . There is merit in the Hagakure . It is very interesting and useful as a historical text describing how warriors felt and acted in the Edo period of peace . It also contains anecdotes from Sengoku era samurai , which I found very interesting . Also , when Tsunetomo is not going on about rushing to one's death , he does manage a few gems of good advice . For instance , When there is something to be said , it is better if it is said right away . If it is said later , it will sound like an excuse . If you are a samurai collector , then this book belongs in your collection . Just be aware of what you are getting .
    • 026 4  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 .
    • 027 4  This book was written in the 18th Century by a monk . It was thus written long after the Samurai had ceased to be real warriors : the age of feuding clans had ended early in the 17th Century . The kind of lifestyle described in this book by the author Tsunetomo is quite simply a lifestyle that was never led . While it is not entirely ' pure imagination ' , it is a work that focuses on all the most extreme and suicidal examples of Samurai behaviour . The author was trying to ' bring back ' a macho ideal of bushido that had in fact never existed . He was upset by the way that the Samurai class had lost their martial edge . Unfortunately , his own biases distort the truth of how Samurai of previous eras lived their lives . We have a great deal of evidence from earlier periods pointing out that the Samurai enjoyed the pleasures of life , and tended to behave as humans , unlike the robotic and slavish picture portrayed by the author . To give a Western analogy , his book is like the works of 19th Century Europe which romanticize the lives of Medieval knights : attributing knights with single-minded devotion to the Code of Chivalry and submission to their ' ladies ' ; while in reality the Code of Chivalry was never really formulated , and the ' ladies ' were other men's wives . I give this book two stars because it is of some use in understanding what an 18th Century Japanese bookworm thought the old Samurai were like , and there is some cultural interest in that . If you want a book that gives a real picture of Samurai duties , lifestyle and obligations , then read the ' Code of the Samurai ' which was written in the 17th Century , which , although a time of peace under the newly-installed Tokugawa regime , was only starting to lose its martial traditions . By the time Hagakure was written in the 18th Century , the true memory of the ' Age of the Country at War ' was very confused and blurred .
    • 028 4  No matter what it is , there is nothing that cannot be done . If one manifests the determination , he can move heaven and earth as he pleases . But because man is pluckless , he cannot set his mind to it . Moving heaven and earth without putting forth the effort is simply a matter of concentration . That's just one of my favorite quotes from the book . There are a lot of similar reflections in the book that give the reader a feeling of the Samurai code . I've read a lot of books on Taoism and Zen , and I find the Hagakure a nice departure from the traditional eastern philosophy books . Whereas a lot of eastern philosophy seems to focus on how one lives the central point of the Hagakure appears to be how one dies . However , its not as morbid as you may think . The focus is on how one reacts , and escapes the pontifications found in most Zen texts . Its a simple read , and it gave me an illuminating insight into the Samurai lifestyle .
    • 029 4  This book is a series of the most interesting excerpts from a much larger japanese version . Tsunetomo's thoughts are interesting , although occasionally a bit odd when compared to other writers on the same subject . Also , the ideas about combat , and courage are hard to pay attention to , as the author never fought in battle . Nevertheless , this book is very much worth reading . Also , fans of Yukio Mishima will want to read Hagakure for insight into Mishima's attitudes
    • 030 4  The book of hidden leaves Hagakure expresses the view of a man who lived in a time three hundred years past , but his words are still valid and usefull in today's society . They preach the values of men who will succeed in life , and if you take time to think about it they are still applicable for a person in present-day . A samurai will use a toothpick even though he has not eaten . Inside the skin of a dog , outside the hide of a tiger .
    • 031 4  Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the 17th century Samurai ! While some of this material evokes a Zen-like sense of clarity and wisdom , other passages seem just plain ridiculous to my modern Western mind . I found that the constantly recurring references to ritual suicide , while ghoulishly interesting at first , grew more and more repulsive as I read through the book . In the end the fierce samurai come across as nothing more than a bunch of mindless robots . In the politics of old Japan , the samurai were just cannon fodder to be moved around from battle to battle . Their masters expected then to follow orders without thought or hesitation , be it attacking a castle or spilling one's guts to atone for some minor infraction of the rigid warrior code . In the end the whole seppuku thing is just too tiresome to put up with anymore . Despite all the spooky ceremony attached to the samurai method of suicide , the act remains what it has always been - the coward's way out of difficulty . Rather than sticking around to suffer with shame and embarrassment ( and just maybe figure out a better way to conduct his affairs ) the proud , stiff-spined samurai drops through the convenient trapdoor provided by suicide . Hagakure offers us a look into an alien world , a way of living ( and dying ) far removed from ordinary everyday experience . In many ways it is strange and repulsive , and yet , like so many other repulsive things , it manages to be very interesting .
    • 032 4  Truely this is the first book if have encountered so far that captures the essence of Bushido so well . . . most likely due to the fact that it was written by a samurai . My only quibble with the book is the fact that the translator , William Scott Wilson , did not include all of Yamamoto Tsunetomo's 1300 refelctions and short anecdotes .
    • 034 4  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 .
    • 035 4  This is a very interesting book about samurai culture . It is a must read for those who are studying the way of the samurai . On the other hand , care must be taken to understand the figurative meaning of some parts of the book . That is to say , this was a transcription of Musashi Sensei wods by Tsunetomo Yamamoto and sometimes reflect the things were done then . Some passages such as those regarding women and harakiri are good examples of that . They express the prejudice towards women and the way that honor was preserved back then . It should not be seen as a bible of samurai culture , but as a nice picture of how this culture managed to keep some of its most important values such as respect , politeness , honor , courage , some of which are clearly lacking in our culture nowadays . As previously stated , a must read .
    • 036 4  If one had to choose a single text to be stranded on an island with , then you could find no better work than this . The more I read this book the higher up my ' ranking ' it goes , to the point where it has toppled Mencius : Mencius ( D.C.Lau translation ) of the top spot and pushed Confucius : The Analects ( D.C.Lau translation ) into third place . Congratulations HA GA KU RE ! I appreciate that the title ' The Book of the Samurai ' is fairly cheesy , and riding on the back of Tom's ' Last Samurai ' ( a highly admirable film , incidentally ) one is inclined to feel that there is some wobbly ' Samurai Bandwagon ' rolling into town and the party had best be avoided , but not so . HA GA KU RE ( hidden by the leaves ) is a work of immense beauty and wisdom , a rare breed indeed . A book penned around 1700 that is as relevant to your life today as any ' healing ' or ' self-help ' book will ever be , only MORE so . What HA GA KU RE truly delivers is not hippy-dippy fake compassion and moral guidance based upon the lowest common denominator . What it offers is a 6 O'clock roll call awoken by a cold shower and a mirror shoved in your sleepy face so that you can see yourself all puffed up in the morning and your hair standing on end . You are NOT beautiful , you simply ARE . Page after page this book is filled to the brim with startlingly obvious and brilliantly simple maxims , ideas , quotations and distilled wisdom that will offer a torch-light to anyone out their who is lost and looking to get back to the Way . The truth be told , whether you approach this book from a Bushido perspective , a historical perspective , a Zen perspective or a Cha No Yuu perspective , your cannot help but feel honoured to be reading such an insightful text . And whichever is your chosen Way one thing is sure , it will bring together a number of other areas of your life , or your interest in things Japanese , polish them all up and give them a whole new lease of life . N.B . I think that due credit must be given to William Scott Wilson for his perfect translation
    • 037 4  Book Review Hagakure : The Book of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo Translated by William Scott Wilson Publisher : Kodansha International ( JPN ) 1979 ; reissue edition Jan . 1,1992 180 pages Price $9.00 ISBN # : 4 - 7700 - 1106 - 7 Genre : Nonfiction ; Eastern Philosophy Hagakure is a manual to gain understanding of way if the Samurai . It is also , a collection of thoughts and sayings , written by a former samurai . An example from the book is this one ; It is a good viewpoint to see the world as a dream . When you have something like a nightmare , you will wake up and tell yourself that it was only a dream . It is said the world we live is not a bit different from this . The author did achieve his purpose of the book . The purpose was to inform a wise way of living to dying ; from learning to teaching . Such as this one In affairs like law suits or even in arguments , by losing quickly one will lose in fine fashion . It is like sumo [ wrestling ] . If one thinks only of winning , a sordid victory will be worse than defeat . For the most part , it becomes a squalid defeat . I recommend this book to any reader who likes books on philosophy and if the person is very spiritual . It's a true classic in a book collection !
    • 038 4  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 .
    • 039 4  The book is a compilation of stories describing everyday events in the time of the samurai . It connects you to history and should be compared to Machiaveli's work .
    • 040 4  I read through this book once , then I read through it notating specific anecdotes that stood out to me and ended up marking about half the book . There is a ton of wisdom and insight into not just the Samurai way of life , but the way people - particularly men - have changed ( mostly for the worse ) over time . This book is not about how to fight , or even being a samurai so much as it is about spirit , and courage in the face of life as well as death . There is an occasional absurd anecdote , but 99% of this book is insightful to this day . Above all , this book is about being a man of principle , courage , and usefulness .
    • 041 4  An excellent foray into the mind of the Samurai . Details of the Samurai experience and the Samurai Code . Many hidden treasures in this book , you just have to look for them .
    • 042 4  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 .
    • 043 4  Yamamoto Tsunetomo's treatise is an intimate introduction to mentality of the samurai . You will not really learn too much so far as basic samurai history , but that is not really what this text sets out to discuss . Hagakure is very well-written book , which excels at conveying to the reader the depth of profundity and devotion of Bushido and the Way of the Samurai .
    • 044 4  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 Samurai Meditations ( Penguin Classics )
    • 045 4  As my name says , I love Japan . This book is full of bits of knowledge from Yamamoto , which manifest itself to be principles of a good and obidient samurai . Though the book is full of these random quotes , I enjoy very few of them enough to quote them from the text . I haven't read the entire book yet , but I have given it 5 stars since it is an excellent way to learn about the samurai
    • 046 4  Hagakure is THE difinitive work on Samurai life in feudal Japan . Anyone with interest in Japanese Martial culture or martial arts MUST HAVE this book . I cannot reccomend this book enough !
    • 047 4  This book is great for the aspiring martial artist or even someone who just likes to learn about what feudal Japan was like through the eyes of one of it's warriors . Myself being a student of kenjutsu ( Art of the Sword ) , could relate to a lot of what Yamamoto was saying , and apply it to my everyday life . This isn't a story with a beginning , middle , end and a plot , however it is more of an instructional book from a retired samurai to a younger samurai eager to learn . Yamamoto focuses on methods of how a samurai should act at all times and in different circumstances as well as recounting some stories of past samurai and daimyo ( feudal lord ) . A good buy , definately .
    • 048 4  Hagakure offers an introduction to the much revered Samurai code of Bushido . Originally serving as a secret code of duty and honor , Bushido has become the cornerstone of the Japanese warrior spirit . The book is comprised of around 300 selected sayings of the seventeenth century Samurai turned monk , Yamamoto Tsunetomo . They vary in scope from social etiquette to dying with honor . Hagakure is a must own for anyone who truly wants to understand the history and motives of Samurai Bushido .
    • 049 4  The Hagakure is a mixed bag for the average reader - some of the contents are life changing and pensive , while others seem very out of place . Overall , it provides an excellent view into the way of life that was the Samurai . It had a profound impact in my daily life , and I would like to absorb more after another time through it .
    • 050 4  I was expecting something more like Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings . I believe the era in which Tsunetomo wrote ( early 1700s ) was rather less interesting than the transitional period between Momoyama and Edo eras when Musashi lived . It is essentially a manual of manners and morals for employees who would die for their boss . Lots of yammer about the righteousness of cutting your intestines out for no clear reason , and keeping neat , squeaky clean and ready for death . As I understand things , during this period you were a lot more likely to cut out your own intestines than die in combat . I suppose I would take inspiration from such a thing if I were a sararyman , a bodyguard , low ranking soldier in peacetime , or some such self-loathing type , but meanwhile it really isn't for me . Perhaps it is the book for someone else ; Tsunetomo's era has more in common with our own than Musashi's does ; he was a bureaucrat - chances are , you're more of a bureaucrat than you are a Samurai . On the other hand , the book did develop an appreciation for the concept of badger skin underpants .
    • 051 4  These writings will defy modern Western convention . William Scott's Wilson's translation of the Japanese is , from what I understand , a fairly honest reflection of the spirit of the original Japanese and wonderfully illuminating of a mindset that might as well be from another planet to our so-called refined modern ways . A brilliant book that will rattle every preconception you ever had about Buddhists and Buddhism , Hagakure examines Samurai maxims at the very hardcore of 17th century Bushido . My only lament is that the selection of translated maxims is limited and has not seen updates or additions since the release of the original translations . The Yamamoto Hagakure contains many more writings of which the translated bundle represents but a sampling .
    • 052 4  The Hagakure has changed my life and the way I look at everything .
    • 054 4  if you can't finish reading this book , then you are useless . if you don't like it after you've finished it then you are a useless fool . if you don't understand it , then you are a cowardly useless fool

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