The Book of Five Rings ― The Strategy of the Samurai

This classic text on samurai fighting skills delves into the mental processes and rigorous discipline which underpin this ancient art. Musashi is considered by many to have been one of the greatest swordsmen in history, a famous Japanese samurai whose performance in numerous duels became legendary, even from a very young age. His Book of Five Rings concerns the strategy, tactics and philosophy of his Niten Ichi Ryu style of swordsmanship, and is still studied today as a blueprint for success. According to Time magazine: 'On Wall Street, when Musahi talks, people listen.'

Miyamoto Musashi was born around 1584 into a samurai family in Harima province. His mother died soon after his birth, so he was raised by his step-mother and then his uncle, a monk from the Shoreian temple. While staying with his uncle, he was taught Zen Buddhisma and basic reading and writing. He had his first duel at the age of thirteen and went on to have 59 more, claiming never to have lost a single one. He completed his influential book on swordsmanship in May 1645, the year he died.