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The Hagakure: Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Everything about what it means to be a warrior can be found within the pages of this book, and it s just as relevant today as the day it was written. Words like sacrifice, integrity, and honor are more then just words to us; they are a mantra that sends shivers down our spines. It is this spirit of heart and calling that makes some rush to enlist during times of trouble wh...more
Paperback, 132 pages
Published
November 26th 2002
by Writers Club Press
(first published October 1st 1979)
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I love the randomness of this book. One paragraph is a about how to wear your awesome samurai hat, and the next is about the proper way to decapitate someone.
It irks me that people don't know the history of this book.
A lot of people seem to read it assuming that it's some sort of rule book that the samurai class carried around in their kimonos so as to follow its writings without err.
This is not the case. The book was written after 100 years of peace in Japan, when the samurai class was transforming into an administrative class.
Yes, that's right -- the author was some pencil-pusher for the state.
This...more
A lot of people seem to read it assuming that it's some sort of rule book that the samurai class carried around in their kimonos so as to follow its writings without err.
This is not the case. The book was written after 100 years of peace in Japan, when the samurai class was transforming into an administrative class.
Yes, that's right -- the author was some pencil-pusher for the state.
This...more
"If one dedicates these four vows to the gods and Buddhas every morning, he will have the strength of two men and will never slip backward. One must edge forward like the inchworm, bit by bit. The gods and Buddhas, too, first started with a vow."
A samurai's journal of anecdotes and aphorisms I've been rereading for years. It means something different to me each time, though the lessons are often the same ones I've forgotten. It's amazing how these lessons apply themselves to ...more
A samurai's journal of anecdotes and aphorisms I've been rereading for years. It means something different to me each time, though the lessons are often the same ones I've forgotten. It's amazing how these lessons apply themselves to ...more
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Nice little sneak peak to the life of samurai and Japan of samurai.
I think Tsunetomo was a bit extreme even for a samurai. In "Act now! Contemplate later." sort of way. Or maybe he was bitter. After all he stayed alive while samurais most important goal and duty is to die. At least according to him.
The "real" Japan of samurai was long past when Tsunetomo blurted out his visions. Tsunetomo maybe was one of the most hard core samurais that still existed in that time so let's gi...more
I think Tsunetomo was a bit extreme even for a samurai. In "Act now! Contemplate later." sort of way. Or maybe he was bitter. After all he stayed alive while samurais most important goal and duty is to die. At least according to him.
The "real" Japan of samurai was long past when Tsunetomo blurted out his visions. Tsunetomo maybe was one of the most hard core samurais that still existed in that time so let's gi...more
This is a really powerful book, which I think people could take lessons from even still today. It's possible that someone would have to know something about Japanese history and culture to begin to appreciate this writing, even as it teaches more deeply about the Japanese way of thinking, but I still think everyone should read this and try to wrap their heads around it. I don't pretend to have understood the significance of everything I read in it, and there are other concepts that in literal ...more
Knowing nothing about Samurai's history and/or tradition, I can take only the "philosphy" from this book.
Death is considered the only very important thought, around which everything else must dance in one's life. Death is our ultimate destination, and everything must be done in view of that unavoidable event. I can agree, but I cannot wholly share the attitude of a Samurai about it, since I believe I can leave more seeds and fruits through my life than through my death. I can te...more
Death is considered the only very important thought, around which everything else must dance in one's life. Death is our ultimate destination, and everything must be done in view of that unavoidable event. I can agree, but I cannot wholly share the attitude of a Samurai about it, since I believe I can leave more seeds and fruits through my life than through my death. I can te...more
How did the samurai live? What was the ultimate purpose of their life?
This book answers to all of these questions and more.
I managed to extract tons of great quotes out of this one, most of which have retained their relevance throughout all of these years. However, it IS impossible to keep up with the names (even in the same story), especially in the later, anecdote filled chapters derived from the writer's memory and circulating rumors and stories.
Also, this book ...more
This book answers to all of these questions and more.
I managed to extract tons of great quotes out of this one, most of which have retained their relevance throughout all of these years. However, it IS impossible to keep up with the names (even in the same story), especially in the later, anecdote filled chapters derived from the writer's memory and circulating rumors and stories.
Also, this book ...more
I read a selection of parts from Hagakure in the final year of high school for my end paper. Now, I picked up this illustrated hardcover copy in Dutch, which will make for a nice reference. It turns out its nearly 300 pages contain only a modest selection of the original work, so I wonder how many Hagakures are actually completely unabridged.
The book is deservedly a classic of Japanese philosophy, and it gives a valuable contrast to works like Musashi's Book of Five Rings, who emphas...more
The book is deservedly a classic of Japanese philosophy, and it gives a valuable contrast to works like Musashi's Book of Five Rings, who emphas...more
I enjoyed this very much. Reading it is very soothing, there is some excellent sage advice, and it's frequently hilarious, what with all the beheadings and whatnot. Slightly scary, but also hilarious.
It beats Marcus Auralius hands down (neck severed).
Favourite quotes: Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like. It is foolish to live within this dream of a world seeing unpleasantess and doing only things that you do not like. But it...more
It beats Marcus Auralius hands down (neck severed).
Favourite quotes: Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like. It is foolish to live within this dream of a world seeing unpleasantess and doing only things that you do not like. But it...more
So, want to read a book written by a mid-level clerk about samurai that never existed in his own time? A book whose message was corrupted by the militaristic rulers of Japan following the Meiji Resotoration?
If so, you've found the book you are looking for. This is a steamy pile, so bring some fresh gloves. If your black belt instructor is making you read this, hit him (or her) in the knee with it and ask for your money back. This is a prime example of how something awful can be made...more
If so, you've found the book you are looking for. This is a steamy pile, so bring some fresh gloves. If your black belt instructor is making you read this, hit him (or her) in the knee with it and ask for your money back. This is a prime example of how something awful can be made...more
To begin with it is not for everyone. It is disjointed and quite unreadable to a person who is unfamiliar with Japanese history and culture. With this understood, however, it is an excellent read. The Hagakure, or Book of the Samurai, lets the reader into the world of 17th and 18th century Japan. Written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, well written is actually inacurate. It was passed on to a visitor of Yamamoto's, who then transcribed it. Unfortunately it comes to us incomplete. This no doubt has...more
I began reading this with the air of a bit of a chore. It was fairly dry in its first initial chapters. I`m not sure exactly where it began to hook me but by around the 4th Chapter, I began to `get it`. This book is unlike the other Samurai Code book I`d read, the Book of five rings, which is mainly based on discipline & the perfection of the trade or art of the Samurai. This text on the other hand is a very pragmatic set of beliefs surrounding the role a Samurai plays & what that entails, chief...more
Budo International Publising
Il voto è assegnato all'edizione. Esistessero le stelline negative, ne meriterebbe almeno dieci.
Il libro non è scritto in italiano.
Alcuni esempî tratti dalla sola introduzione, li copio così come li leggo:
- "Tra I secoli VIII al XVI il Giappone era coinvolto in continue guerre feudali."
- "...uno sviluppo straordinario delle arti guerriere, le così chiamate arti marziali."
- "...ma fù più dardi d...more
Il voto è assegnato all'edizione. Esistessero le stelline negative, ne meriterebbe almeno dieci.
Il libro non è scritto in italiano.
Alcuni esempî tratti dalla sola introduzione, li copio così come li leggo:
- "Tra I secoli VIII al XVI il Giappone era coinvolto in continue guerre feudali."
- "...uno sviluppo straordinario delle arti guerriere, le così chiamate arti marziali."
- "...ma fù più dardi d...more
The definitive book of my adult life.
This book was popularized in the film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, showing an assassin for the mob who lives according to the his interpretation of the principles of this book. That is how I first came across the book, and since then the book has been a central part of my life.
The book is some 300 excerpts from a total of about 1,300 dictated to Yamamoto's attendant over the course of 7 years, between 1710 and 1716. Yamamoto wa...more
This book was popularized in the film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, showing an assassin for the mob who lives according to the his interpretation of the principles of this book. That is how I first came across the book, and since then the book has been a central part of my life.
The book is some 300 excerpts from a total of about 1,300 dictated to Yamamoto's attendant over the course of 7 years, between 1710 and 1716. Yamamoto wa...more
Some nice quotes, but generally just wacky.: Anyone interested in Japanese feudalism and the arts
risen from it, not to mention WWII should read this
book, or at least read it on-line as it's available
in it's entirety on several sites.
Those who have seen the film Ghost Dog will have already
'read' the best quotes from the book, as there are some
delightfully quirky quotes in there.
Personally what I find most distasteful about hagakure
is that it is negatively Confucian. The Samurai's be all
and end-...more
risen from it, not to mention WWII should read this
book, or at least read it on-line as it's available
in it's entirety on several sites.
Those who have seen the film Ghost Dog will have already
'read' the best quotes from the book, as there are some
delightfully quirky quotes in there.
Personally what I find most distasteful about hagakure
is that it is negatively Confucian. The Samurai's be all
and end-...more
"Bushido: The way of the Samurai" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo is the words of a power samurai (Yamamoto Tsunetomo) in his final days. Most of the book entails battle tactics and stories of battles, but through this stories a message about how to live your life better is portrayed. Like most wise samurai, Yamamoto belived that aspects that are learned in the battle field are ones that can be used to everyday life. I found this book very interesting because i am very into the whole "war v...more
From the First Chapter:
"The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either-or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling."
"The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either-or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling."
A book in the style of texts such as Confucius' analects and Mencius, Hagakure is a collection of statements meant to teach the samurai how he should act. Some of the statements are meant to teach through example, and many are not immediately clear. My only issue with this translation is not a translation of the complete work.
Its really about humility, and being in the service not only as a Samurai but as a retainer. Its not something that i guess alot of people of this day of age could understand but to be able to serve someone with such dedication and devoution is i could only describe as "beautiful".
This was interesting to read, very accessible, and lays a foundation for understanding the business world in Japan if you can draw a throughline from the Tokugawa Shogunate through zaibatsu and keiretsu to the current era. Some of what he said was actually applicable to modern day, while other things were more dated and culture-specific. It's surprising when a feudal culture is more open and liberal than our own...
A pretty fascinating series of excerpts from a pretty fascinating guy - Yamamoto was forbidding by his master from committing suicide upon said master's death, so he became a Buddhist priest and spent some of the next seven years grumbling about proper Samurai conduct and kids today to a younger warrior. Given his emphasis on fanaticism (translator's words) and dying for one's lord, I take him with a grain of salt, but there's some good stuff in here - and it's always entertaining, in any case.
I was not able to finish or really start this book. It looked interesting, but it is segments of wisdom and doesn't flow. It is more of resource book of very small anecdotes. I'm not saying it may not be a better read and some future date, but not today.
Zdream
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommended to Zdream by:
history teacher
Shelves:
an-intellectual
Did i get more insight into the life of a samuri? more or less. Though this book does offer some excellent truths about the nature of humans and some humorous stories, it spoke more about samuri etiqutte than training. The glimpse into the samuri mindset was also very vague.
I picked this book up because I saw it being read by the main character in "Ghost Dog: The Way of The Samurai," with Forest Whitaker. It was very cool to be able to read the very words of a 17th century samurai, and to be let into their real world.
Hagakure means "Hidden Among the Leaves." The book is the philosphy of being a samurai and is told with parables and sayings like Zen. It is worth a read if you are interested in that sort of thing.
A beautifully written glimpse into the world of the samurai. Easily adaptable to present day life, The Art of the Samurai provides an ancient framework of an honorable way of life.
Not to be too cheezball about it, but this is the book that helped me calm myself down and look at things differently. Learn to look at things as a samurai would have (minus the weapons).
Fans of Chanbara (Samurai cinema) and students of Asian philosophy may find this work worth pursuing, but the casual reader will find little of value in this study of Bushidō.
Seminal reading even if just for perspective. To think this text was meant to be burned after it had been written is enough to make you anxious. It would have been a great pity.
While not a narrative, there is a flow to this. My friend calls it "Chicken Soup for the Samurai Soul", and it's comical, but not entirely inappropriate.
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Yamamoto Tsunetomo, also known as Yamamoto Jōchō, was a samurai and monk whose collection of commentaries Hagakure (also known as 葉隱, 葉隠, In the Shadow of Leaves, Analects of Nabeshima, Bushido, The Book of the Samurai, The Art of the Samurai, or The Way of the Samurai) has become in the twentieth century one of the most famous books on samurai.
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“There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. There will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment.”
—
19 people liked it
“There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.”
—
13 people liked it
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