The Pocket SamuraiSelected writings from the most influential texts of the samurai era—in a pocket-size edition. The samurai of Japan, who were the country's military elite from medieval times to the end of the nineteenth century, were synonmous with valor, honor, and martial arts prowess. Their strict adherence to the code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"), chivalry, and honor in fighting to the death continues to capture the imagination of people today, inspiring authors, filmmakers, and artists. The Pocket Samurai contains the essential writings of the era by the most esteemed samurai and philosophers of the age, including the iconic Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of Five Rings; Yamamoto Tsunetomo, author of Hagakure, the best-known explication of the samurai code; Takuan Soho, the Zen priest and adviser to samurai; Yagyu Munenori, whose The Life-Giving Sword describes a deeply spiritual approach to sword fighting; and others. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Yamamoto Tsunetomo | 23 |
Nabeshima Naoshige | 52 |
Takeda Shingen | 64 |
Daidoji Yuzan | 77 |
Kobayakawa Takakage | 119 |
Gamo Ujisato | 127 |
Takuan Soho | 133 |
Miyamoto Musashi | 155 |
Kaibara Ekiken | 195 |
Kato Kiyomasa | 235 |
Yamaoka Tesshu | 258 |
Torii Mototada | 288 |
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Common terms and phrases
battle Battle of Sekigahara battlefield become body born Buddhist Bushido called carpenter castle ch'i chapter character Chinese clever Confucian consider correct courage coward daimyo death defeat derstand difficult drink duty Ekiken enemy essential evil fief foolish fundamental health Hagakure halberd hand heart heaven and earth Kamigata Kato Kiyomasa Kiyomasa Kuroda Nagamasa lacking lightly listen live Lord Ieyasu loyalty martial artist martial arts matter merchant meritorious deeds military mind Mototada Musashi Nabeshima Nabeshima clan Nabeshima Naoshige Naoshige natural never night Nurturing Oda Nobunaga one's opponent peace person practice praise principles province reason resolved retainers rhythm right-mindedness rior samurai shame Shingen shogun siege of Osaka simply skandha speak spear strong style swordsman swordsmanship Takeda Takeda clan Takuan Tesshu things thought thousand tion Tokugawa Torii Mototada Toyotomi Ujisato understand vassal warrior weapons wind words Yamaoka Tesshu Yuzan