Description
Book SynopsisThe definitive translation of the seminal treatise on the code of the samurai. Living and dying with bravery and honor is at the heart of
Hagakure, a series of over 1,300 short texts written by eighteenth-century samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo. These texts illuminate the classic Japanese concept of
bushido (the Way of the Warrior), which dictated how samurai were expected to behave, conduct themselves, live, and die. Acclaimed translator William Scott Wilson has selected and translated here three hundred of those texts to create an accessible distillation of this guide, making it one of the most thorough and astonishing windows into the captivating world of the samurai available.
This edition includes an introduction that delves into the Zen concept of
muga, or ?death? of the ego, giving an in-depth historical and philosophical background for the more metaphorical reading of
Hagakure that is based on Tsunetomo?s reference to
bushido as ?the Way of death.? Through this lens, which has held a morbid fascination for readers through the years, the classic takes on a fresh and nuanced appeal.
This book was previously published under the title
Hagakure.
This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series.
The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts.The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman.The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compactformat that is collectible, reader-friendly, andapplicable to everyday life.
