The Life-Giving Sword: Secret Teachings from the House of the Shogun

by Yagyu Munenori

Book Overview

This is a translation of an important classic on Zen swordfighting. Yagyu Munenori was so widely renowned that he was appointed official sword instructor to two Tokugawa shoguns. (The position was always coveted by Miyamoto Musashi, but he never succeeded in gaining the post). Yagyu's style is known as the Shinkage-ryu style, for centuries the official style of the Tokugawa dynasty. His spiritual mentor was Zen priest Takuan. Here, Yagyu's Buddhist...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4770029551
• ISBN13: 9784770029553
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 191 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Different than what I'm used to, but still very insightful

This book was really interesting to read. In my martial arts training I have always been taught to make the first move. This book teaches the opposite, and offered a different but challenging perspective for me. I found it very insightful and useful.

Great!

The author/translator provides a clear translation of the original Japanese writing. Not a lot of details or explanations; simply provides the original text. I highly recommend this to be read alongside The Life-Giving Sword: The Secret Teachings From the House of the Shogun.

Should be near the top of ANY Martial Artists list of "Must Have books"!!

An accurate & comprehensive historical account of one of the world's greatest swordsmen dating back nearly 400 years, written in a clear & easy style that keeps the readers interest all the way through. Almost "a rags to riches" story of a man who came from a humble background & rose to one of the highest positions in Japanese Society. It gives proof that with a degree of dedication & persistence along with the constant practice & perfection of just one skill, in this case swordsmanship, one can use that skill & make a success of ones life & be rich in many more ways than just financial. William Scott Wilson is a true genius when it comes to writing about ancient Japanese history & subjects concerning the life of famous samurai warriors. His successful & prolific writings are a testament to this. About a third of the book is devoted to a very interesting background to the life of Munenori & life in Japan as it was nearly 400 years ago. Also, it was a bonus to see in this account many mentions made to another famous samurai that lived at the time - Miyamoto Musashi (author of "The Book of Five Rings" fame) & their spiritual companion & Zen Priest: Takuan Soho (author of "The Unfettered Mind"). These two great & so different warriors must have been aware of each others existence, one wonders whether they had ever met in person & if they had, what the outcome would have been? A great historical & truly valuable account by a master writer, which ought to be on the top of any martial artists list of important books. Look out for Wilson's other title "The Lone Samurai" which traces the life of Munenori.

Wonderful

I give this book five stars simply because I love it. For anyone who finds Miyamoto Musashi's book a little hard to fathom at first, then maybe you could start with this. I have a number of translations by William Scott Wilson, the most recent being 'The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts', I love them all and have to say that I prefer his translations over any other.

Simple

Minimalist, simple and direct. If you know the japanese culture, these three words are complements for this book. As the yagyu shinkage ryu, the book is the essence of a fantastic and very effective art. If you practice Yagyu ryu as we do or you're a martial artist, this book is just as mandatory as Inato Nitobe's Bushido, Tsunetomo's Hagakure or even Musashi's GoRi no Sho

Mysteries of the Sword

From the the start to the end of the Art of Advantage it is the Way of the Longsword and the Side Arm. For those men/women at Arms this is the cycle.