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Voice of the Fox
The Newsletter of the Martial Arts Training Service

Book Review
The Martial Artists Book of Five Rings
by Steve Kaufman
Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1994
Reviewed by Chris Treadwell

When I first saw this book at the bookstore, I snatched it up immediately. I've always wanted to read The Book of Five Rings. The back cover described this version as written "for the martial artist as it was originally intended," so I thought it would be particularly interesting. Most modern-day versions of the book are written for Japanese businessmen, but as the author points out, Musashi was a warrior, not a merchant.

The author, Steve Kaufman, who is described as the "Founding Father of American Karate" (I've heard of several individuals who claim this title) makes some interesting points at the beginning of his translation. He points out that the book was never meant to be about Japanese business strategy, and disregards the idea that "business is war." He also states that the book is for "martialists" rather than martial artists, because the concept of "art" is inappropriate for describing a warrior's purpose. Of course, by his definition of warrior ("the warrior is all passion although he shows none and kills without hesitation"), I have to wonder if any modern-day martial students are the "martialists" he describes.

In any case, Kaufman's introduction is not the highlight of the test; it's his translation of Musashi's writings. I've never read another translation of this book, so I'm not sure how much the fact that this version is "undiluted by a businessman's bias" has improved the text or made it relevant to a martial artist. Even so, as a student of Japanese history and kendo, I enjoyed reading it.

The book is divided into five sections: the books of Earth, Water, Wind, Fire and No-thing-ness. The Book of Earth is an introduction; the Book of Water explains strategy; the Book of Fire describes fighting utilizing the principles of Earth and Water; the Book of Wind compares Musashi's style to the other fighting styles of his day; and the Book of No-thing-ness describes the true "Way" of living, according to Musashi.

Written from Musashi's point of view (though I have no idea how much his words have been altered), the book gave me a window through which I could view medieval Japan and also provided wisdom that is relevant today. Of course, Musashi states that "The Way" can be truly understood only through mortal combat, so it is likely that the higher truths he hints at may be unattainable for modern-day students like myself.

All in all, this book makes interesting reading. At the very least, it's a fascinating historical work for those who are interested in the Japan of centuries ago. I wouldn't spend too much time pondering Kaufman's statements at the beginning of the text, though. Go straight to the rest of the book and enjoy.

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