Available Formats
Paperback
Published: 2nd February 2001
Paperback
Published: 1st July 1992
Paperback
Published: 23rd October 2018
Paperback
Published: 15th April 2005
Hardback
Published: 1st August 2012
Hardback
Published: 9th June 2025
The Book of Five Rings: Gilded Pocket Edition
By (Author) Miyamoto Musashi
Illustrated by Victor Harris
Translated by First Edition Translations Ltd
Arcturus Publishing Ltd
Arcturus
9th June 2025
1st November 2021
United Kingdom
Hardback
208
Width 105mm, Height 165mm, Spine 19mm
127g
'When you attain the Way of strategy, there will not be one thing you cannot see.'
-Miyamoto Musashi
This luxurious hardback presents The Book of Five Rings, a classic Japanese text by the undefeated swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Shortly before his death in 1645, Musashi retreated to a cave to live as a hermit. There he wrote five scrolls describing the "true principles" required for victory in the martial arts and on the battlefield. Instead of relying on religion or theory, Musashi based his writings on his own experience, observation, and reason.
The scrolls, published as The Book of Five Rings, have recently gained an international reputation in the business world as a means of resolving differences and achieving success. But their delineation of the psychological strength, rigorous self-control, and practical application necessary for dealing with physical and mental conflict also has a wider relevance and can be usefully applied to all our lives.
This compact luxury edition is perfect as a gift.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Gilded Classics presents luxury gift editions of classic works, featuring hardcover Wibalin binding, foil-embossed cover designs, beautifully designed end-papers and gilded page edges. These make perfectible collectibles for bibliophiles and lovers of classic literature.
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.