The Samurai Mind

by Hellman, Christopher

• ISBN13: 9780804841153
• ISBN10: 0804841152
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-03-10
• Publisher: Tuttle Pub

Summary

The Samurai Mind is a collection of five seminal Japanese texts which together convey the very essence of the traditional samurai warrior ethos. These texts range from the ferocious to the esoteric - with their common thread being the importance of mastering one's own mind as the key to overcoming opponents. They were written from the mid-18th to early 19th century, at a time when the effectiveness of traditional training methods was being called into question. The authors were acknowledged master warriors who were keen to address a broader audience beyond their circle of students and acolytes. Their aim was to explain their craft to the outside world, and they do so with great insight. While each text is very different in content and tone, all of them emphasise that truly great warriors study much more than just physical techniques - for it is in understanding and control over inner factors involving mind and spirit that elevate a sword master above his peers. Four of the five texts in this volume are translated into English for the first time, making The Samurai Mind an important addition to the literature on Japanese samurai.

Author Biography

Christopher Hellman currently resides in Kyoto. He has studied and trained in Japanese swordsmanship for over two decades.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 7
The Mysterious Skills of the Old Cat	p. 17
Sword Theory	p. 25
A Treatise on the Sword	p. 31
Joseishi's Discussions on the Sword	p. 46
Ignorance in Swordsmanship	p. 100
Acknowledgments	p. 127
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