Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai [Paperback]

The comprehensive and accurate edition of theHagakureis a must-have for serious martial artists or fans of samurai and the bushido code.

TheHagakureis one of the most influential of all Japanese texts—written nearly 300 years ago by Yamamoto Tsunetomo to summarize the very essence of the Japanese Samuraibushido( warrior ) spirit. Its influence has been felt throughout the world, and yet its existence is scarcely known to many Westerners. This is the first translation to include the complete first two books of theHagakureand the most reliable and authentic passages contained within the third book; all other English translations published previously have been fragmentary and incomplete.

Alex Bennett's wholly new and highly readable translation of this essential work includes extensive footnotes that serve to fill in many cultural and historical gaps in the previous translations. This unique combination of readability and scholarship givesHagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samuraia distinct advantage over all previous English editions. [A] strong point is a scholarly and succinct introduction that grounds the work in historical and social context, equipping the reader with a cultural map of Yamamoto's world. Footnotes provide valuable background and add resonance throughout, keeping names and familial relations straight, highlighting pertinent cross-references and generally rendering the work accessible to contemporary readers. —The Japan Times Alex Bennett has produced the first truly authoritative translation and analysis ofHagakure—perhaps the most famous text ever written about samurai honor—to appear in any Western language. Simultaneously erudite and accessible, this volume belongs on the bookshelves of anyone—scholar or hobbyist alike—interested in samurai culture, or modern perceptions thereof. —Dr. Karl F. Friday, author ofSamurai, Warl!