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The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works: Definitive New Translations of the Writings of Miyamoto Musashi - Japan's Greatest Samurai Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,079 ratings
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The culmination of 25 years of research, Alex Bennett's groundbreaking English translation of Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings reveals the true meaning of the original work.

This piece of writing by famed samurai Musashi (1584–1645) is the single-most influential work on samurai swordsmanship, offering insights into samurai history, the Zen Buddhist state of "no-mind" that enables warriors to triumph and the philosophical meaning of Bushido — "the way of the warrior."

Until now, English translations of The Book of Five Rings have been based on inaccurate copies of Musashi's long-lost original manuscript. Bennett's translation is the first to be based on a careful reconstruction of the original text by Japan's foremost Musashi scholar. By identifying discrepancies among the existing copies, adding missing texts and correcting over 150 incorrect characters, this source is the closest representation of Musashi's original work possible. Utilizing this new source, Bennett captures the subtle nuance of the classic Japanese text, resulting in the most accurate English translation of The Book of Five Rings available.

The texts are richly annotated by Bennett, who includes an extensive introduction on Musashi's life and legacy.

The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works will be widely heard by those interested in Japanese culture, Samurai history, and martial arts — setting a new standard against which all other translations will be measured.

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  1. Listening Length
    5 hours and 50 minutes
  2. Author
    Miyamoto Musashi, see all
  3. Narrator
    Richard Trapp
  4. Audible release date
    October 13, 2021
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Tuttle Publishing
  7. ASIN
    B09HVFM59G
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 50 minutes
Author Miyamoto Musashi, Alexander Bennett - translator, Graham Sayer - foreword
Narrator Richard Trapp
Audible.com Release Date October 13, 2021
Publisher Tuttle Publishing
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09HVFM59G
Best Sellers Rank #16,511 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#5 in Japanese History (Audible Books & Originals)
#11 in Combat Sports & Self-Defense
#25 in Japanese History (Books)

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
1,079 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an interesting read about a remarkable historical figure. They appreciate the clear historical context and explanations of Musashi's writings. The translation is well-received, with numerous endnotes that illuminate its explanations. The introduction provides details not found in other accounts. Many readers consider the book a must-read for serious practitioners of martial arts or life-mastery practices.

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ReadabilityHistoryTranslation qualityIntroductionMartial arts content
25 customers mention "Readability"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's well-written and enjoyable. The translation maintains a literary flow and is beautifully done.

"Walks you through the history surrounding one of the most laudable swordsmen from Japan...." Read more

"...The book of the 5 rings is insightful. Well written and easy to read. Highly recommend." Read more

"...this version you can delve deeper into the mind of the greatest swordsman to ever live. I'm an avid reader and couldn't live without this book." Read more

"...It's a relatively easy and interesting read about a true historical badass and greatest swordsman of Japan." Read more

16 customers mention "History"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's history fascinating and well-researched. They appreciate the clear explanation of the historical context and references. The book provides a detailed account of Musashi's life and teachings as a martial artist.

"Walks you through the history surrounding one of the most laudable swordsmen from Japan...." Read more

"...The book of the 5 rings is insightful. Well written and easy to read. Highly recommend." Read more

"...'s always something new to find and with this version you can delve deeper into the mind of the greatest swordsman to ever live...." Read more

"...It's a relatively easy and interesting read about a true historical badass and greatest swordsman of Japan." Read more

10 customers mention "Translation quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the translation quality. They say it's a great translation of the Book of Five Rings, and the book is well-known.

"...Furthermore this is the most accurate translation I have read to date, even going so far to explain the different readings of each word, and what..." Read more

"...The translations are clear and approachable *..." Read more

"...The Book of Five Rings is well known, so I needn't praise Musashi (any more than has already been done), but the translation is excellent, with..." Read more

"...The translation and editing is great, from a very experienced translator and Kendo practitioner." Read more

6 customers mention "Introduction"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the introduction fascinating. It has numerous endnotes that explain much, with the artist's voice shining through to illuminate his explanations. The book provides details that they hadn't encountered in other accounts. It explains the different manuscripts attributed to Musashi and the translations are clear and approachable.

"...This book also explains the different manuscripts that have been attributed to Musashi and their reliability...." Read more

"...The translations are clear and approachable *..." Read more

"...’s knowledge as a martial artist shines through and helps illuminate his explanations." Read more

"This is a great translation of the Book of Five Rings. I love the introduction and found it very fascinating...." Read more

5 customers mention "Martial arts content"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's martial arts content useful for serious practitioners. They mention it's a must-read for anyone interested in samurai techniques and sword fighting.

"...serious about learning the history behind the philosophy, art and martial art." Read more

"Good book about samurai techniques and sword fighting. A must-read for any martial artist. I highly recommend this book to all." Read more

"...This is a fact based historical account of his life and teachings as a martial artist and is the best translation of "The Book of Five Rings," it..." Read more

"...A must for serious practitioners of martial arts or of life-mastery practices." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Wesley Lyon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Walks you through the history surrounding one of the most laudable swordsmen from Japan. Recommended for those who are serious about learning the history behind the philosophy, art and martial art.
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  • Joe Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Anyone interested in philosophy should read this book. The book of the 5 rings is insightful. Well written and easy to read. Highly recommend.
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  • Michael Crain
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great translation with many extras.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I have a few versions of the book of five rings. This along with Thomas Cleary's version are my two favorites. I've read through and highlighted many parts of this book over and over again. There's always something new to find and with this version you can delve deeper into the mind of the greatest swordsman to ever live. I'm an avid reader and couldn't live without this book.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • mitch marvel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I had also purchased "The Book of Five Rings" written by Musashi (which is also included in this book) but this book has his other writings, and helps put into context "The Book of Five Rings" with footnote explanations and historical context. This book also explains the different manuscripts that have been attributed to Musashi and their reliability.
    It's a relatively easy and interesting read about a true historical badass and greatest swordsman of Japan.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Hannibal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Good book about samurai techniques and sword fighting. A must-read for any martial artist. I highly recommend this book to all.
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  • Preston
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, but....
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Only 1 page dedicated to "The Path Walked Alone" and only listed the 21 Principles of Dukkodo with no expansion, explanation, etc.
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  • Raven999?
    5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book of Five Rings
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    There are so many variations of this book you could spend a lifetime trying to compare them. This one puts musashi into a historical context and tries to stay as close to musashi's ideas as possible. Highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book of five rings Translation from a swordsman.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Anyone seriously studying Japanese Swordsmanship should purchase THIS version of Go-Rin-No-Sho. Bennett sensei immediately dispels many of the myths of Miyamoto Musashi propagated through Pop-culture, and the Yoshikawa Eiji novel. This is a fact based historical account of his life and teachings as a martial artist and is the best translation of "The Book of Five Rings," it clearly explains in full historical context, every obscure reference and history behind the book. Furthermore this is the most accurate translation I have read to date, even going so far to explain the different readings of each word, and what Musashi was implying with each statement.
    Furthermore, this book not only included Go-Rin-No-Sho, but also Musashi's other lesser known works. Heiodokyo, Heiho Kakitsuke, Heiho Sanjugo-Kajo, Goho no Tachi no Michi, Dokkodo, Kokura-hibun.

    Bennett sensei himself is a master swordsman who not only is a 7dan in kendo, but also the international Naginata-do representative, and co-founder of Kendo-World. Furthermore he holds 2 PHD's and teaches the History of Budo at Kansai University. His credentials in the Japanese swordsmanship community are amazing. This unique perspective clarifies many of the esoteric aspects that most other translations of these works are missing.
    42 people found this helpful
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  • Oliver Isac Ruiz Hernandez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirador
    Reviewed in Mexico on January 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Un escrito de gran trascendencia heredado por Miyamoto musashi. Al leerlo sin agregar o quitar ideas basadas en las experiencias propias, se puede percibir la simpleza de las enseñanzas de musashi, las cuales pueden servir para superar barreras en cualquier ámbito.
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  • Richard Rodrigues de Souza
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tudo ok
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Comprei junto com outros livros que AINDA vou ler, como os Estoicos, Maquiavel, a arte da guerra, mas Dokkodo, pelo que vi se refere a umas vinte linhas escritas por Miyamoto sobre como viver uma vida disciplinada. De resto todo o livro, fala sobre técnicas de espada.Mrsm assim vou ler.
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  • Venicius Soares da Silva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good quality as we expect from a book.
    Reviewed in Germany on August 20, 2024
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    Venicius Soares da Silva
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Good quality as we expect from a book.

    Reviewed in Germany on August 20, 2024

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  • Plotinus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but I have a suggestion
    Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There is no question this translation is effectively perfect. The translator is one of the leading authorities on feudal Japan and Japanese martial arts and the samurai. His introduction and notes are expertly researched and written, importantly cutting away the myth from the real person who was Musashi. I super appreciate this effort and skill on the part of the translator and commentator. I always wanted to know who the real Musashi was and I honestly find this book to give me a very good idea of him! Absolutely wonderful!
    Now, I have a suggestion for a second edition. It was evident to me way back when I was a teen and read a translation of the Five Rings that this is in fact a fencing manual. Back then without the internet it was impossible to actually watch modern exponents of Musashi's school performing the movements. I tried very hard to make sense of the 5 movements described in the kata, which is the absolute essence of his method of fencing, but to little avail as there is not enough description of them to allow you to recreate them. Luckily for us his school has survived over the years and it is possible to learn his kata from today's practitioners. What I suggest therefore is a detailed and illustrated explanation of how to do the kata insterted into the book. If the translator has his doubts about the exact transmission of the kata (not saying he necessarily does of course) it would still be worth including what the modern Two Heavens (Swords) as One school teaches. There is already a page showing the author holding the two swords in the five guard postures, so why not continue on and show him and a partner demonstrating the kata together with notes to explain how to do it correctly. Of course nothing replaces real face to face instruction, but given the remarkable help the "Looking at a Far Mountain" kendo kata book has done for my study of the Kendo No Kata, I am sure even just for the sake of informing the reader it would be worthy to include a similar step by step teaching of Musashi's kata in this edition of the Five Rings.
    Other than this, the rest of the book contains excellent and comprehensible advice on how to fence well, most of which will make little to no sense to anyone who is not already an accomplished fencer... which is again why I'd like to see the kata explained properly so at least I'd have something to start with.
    Now, as to why non-fencers would read this book... I don't quite get it! Some passages can relate to things other than fencing, but not too many of them.
    By the way, I don't see why this book would be limited to modern exponents of Japanese style fencing. The lessons make sense with some measure of interpretation for any kind of fencing. Still... his whole method is predicated on mastery of his five kata movements, so please teach these in the book!
    In any case, just like the works of historical Western fencers like Swetnam and Silver, this book needs to be treated as a fencing manual and requires illustrations and lessons to explain the moves.
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  • A. H. Normand
    5.0 out of 5 stars MUCH Wisdom!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    OLD Japanese Philosophy from really tough times still have VERY much to teach any Person in this World.
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