You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
112 reviews for:
Art Of The Samurai: Yamamoto Tsunetomo's Hagakure
Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Barry D. Steben
3.64 AVERAGE
112 reviews for:
Art Of The Samurai: Yamamoto Tsunetomo's Hagakure
Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Barry D. Steben
3.64 AVERAGE
This text wasn’t insightful as I hoped it would be, but I felt that it was a brief glimpse into another culture, lifestyle, and time period, which is definitely something to be prized.
One thing that surprised me was the emphasis put on physical appearance and public image. I didn’t strike that as important or relevant to the way, or life, of a samurai - so that was interesting!
My favourite quote from this book was: “By being impatient, matters are damaged and great works cannot be done. If one considers something not to be a matter of time, it will be done surprisingly quickly. Times change.”
One thing that surprised me was the emphasis put on physical appearance and public image. I didn’t strike that as important or relevant to the way, or life, of a samurai - so that was interesting!
My favourite quote from this book was: “By being impatient, matters are damaged and great works cannot be done. If one considers something not to be a matter of time, it will be done surprisingly quickly. Times change.”
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
If you cut a face lengthwise, urinate on it, and trample on it with straw sandals, it is said that the skin will come off. This was heard by the priest Gyōjaku when he was in Kyoto. It is information to be treasured.
This was - without a doubt - the weirdest book I've read this year. And last year. It was not what I expected.
Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like. (...) But it is important never to tell this to young people as it is something that would be harmful if incorrectly understood.
Hagakure consists of a lot of anecdotes and short stories and stuff about how to be the best retainer (kinda like a personal servant to a Master) and living as the Way of the Samurai suggests. A lot of it was something that I didn't understand or couldn't relate to (none of my brothers or male friends have been trained in decapitating condemned men for the sole purpose of getting better at decapitation (which will come in handy in a war or in an argument (because cutting someone down is the solution to everything in the Way of the Samurai: Act first, think later, as seen in the following quote))).
Indeed, one may be blamed later in an investigation as a confederate of the killer, or as someone who had a grudge against him. But at that time one should think only of cutting the man down and not anticipate later blame.
I also wasn't particularly fond of the view on women (one woman was accused of adultery as she let a man passing by use the toilet in her house (they were both sentenced to death, of course, as no man should take off his trousers near a woman)). I know that Yamamoto Tsunetomo lived in the 17th century - but still. Women and daughters weren't appreciated at all.
The late Jin'emon said that it is better not to bring up daughters. They are a blemish to the family name and a shame to the parents. The eldest daughter is special, but it is better to disregard the others.
Though I didn't like the stomach-cutting (which happened very often), I did like the occasional make-up and behavioural tips:
It is good to carry some powdered rouge in one's sleeve. It may happen that when one is sobering up or waking from sleep, his complexion may be poor. At such a time it is good to take out and apply some powdered rouge.
One should constantly give the impression that he is doing something exceptional.
Even if one’s head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty.
One should constantly give the impression that he is doing something exceptional.
Even if one’s head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do One more action with certainty.
Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like. (...) But it is important never to tell this to young people as it is something that would be harmful if incorrectly understood.
And also the tips on the usefulness of wind-bells in terms of attacking someone:
Wind-bells are things that are used during campaigns in order to know the direction of the wind. For night attacks, fire can be set windward while the attack can be carried out from the opposite direction. Your allies should be mindful of this also. One should always hang wind-bells in order to know the direction of the wind.
This book contains a lot of wisdom, but also reveals the preoccupations of a society deeply concerned with the opinion of others - particularly one’s superiors. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s certainly different when considered against the prevailing attitude of modern Western society, in which the idea of equality is paid endless lip service. Still a great read, especially when bits of Buddhist wisdom pop up here and there.
Mi-au plăcut lecțiile naratorului şi perspectiva sa în privința vieții unui samurai, a legilor (nescrise) pe care trebuie sã le urmeze şi viziunea asupra familiei, stăpânului şi a purității spiritului.
informative
slow-paced
A collection of sayings on how to conduct yourself as a Samurai. Some are odd and antiquated, especially those exhorting blind loyalty; others are timeless - having a singularity of will, being deliberate in the practice of one's craft, and knowing that perfection is something never attained and that a true follower of the Way will still be learning even on the day he dies.
I have said before that it's impossible to rate these kinds of texts that were written hundreds of years ago, in a political context and social sphere that no longer exist. On top of that, they are a translation. It's a bit like rating scripture. Do I talk about the part where it says to dash babies' skulls against the rocks or the part where Jesus says sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor? With the Hagakure, I'm not sure whether to rate the section that basically calls anyone a pansy who won't kill a prisoner who has been tied up, because killing is a sign of bravery and manhood, or the section that talks about seeking wisdom from a neutral source as you try to make a decision. One is great advice, the other is insane cruelty.
I think this book serves more as a window into a philosophy of a time gone by, than anything that should apply to modern society. I have heard people talk reverently about it as "the way of the warrior" but for rationality's sake, please don't take this book to heart when studying how to be a better soldier for your cause. It's obsolete. Interesting, but dead, and that's how it should be treated. My concern is that the translator, and the person who wrote the foreword, clearly don't think of this text as dead, but as a living and beautiful instruction manual. That's disturbing.
I think this book serves more as a window into a philosophy of a time gone by, than anything that should apply to modern society. I have heard people talk reverently about it as "the way of the warrior" but for rationality's sake, please don't take this book to heart when studying how to be a better soldier for your cause. It's obsolete. Interesting, but dead, and that's how it should be treated. My concern is that the translator, and the person who wrote the foreword, clearly don't think of this text as dead, but as a living and beautiful instruction manual. That's disturbing.
So...
I am a wrestler and I seek knowledge on how to improve my mental disposition and strategy. Nevertheless, I looked into this book to see if I could pull anything out of it to create my own personal warrior ethos.
It takes a lot of sifting, but I do think I got what I wanted out of reading this book. Not sure I would recommend it to everybody, but it definitely gives a lot of thought-provoking advice.
But my favorite section of the book is as follows:
"Hirano Gonbei was one of the Men of Seven Spears who advanced straight up the hill at the battle of Shizugadake. At a later date he was invited to become one of Lord Ieyasu's hatamoto. Once he was being entertained at Master Hosekawa's. The master said, "Master Gonbei's bravery is not a hidden matter in Japan. It is truly a shame that such a man of bravery has been placed in a low rank such as you are in now. This must be contrary to your wishes. If you were to become a retainer of mine, I would give you half the domain .''
Giving no answer at all, Gonbei suddenly pot up from his seat, went out to the veranda, stood facing the house, and urinated. Then he said, "If I were the master's retainer, it would never do to urinate from here."
I am a wrestler and I seek knowledge on how to improve my mental disposition and strategy. Nevertheless, I looked into this book to see if I could pull anything out of it to create my own personal warrior ethos.
It takes a lot of sifting, but I do think I got what I wanted out of reading this book. Not sure I would recommend it to everybody, but it definitely gives a lot of thought-provoking advice.
But my favorite section of the book is as follows:
"Hirano Gonbei was one of the Men of Seven Spears who advanced straight up the hill at the battle of Shizugadake. At a later date he was invited to become one of Lord Ieyasu's hatamoto. Once he was being entertained at Master Hosekawa's. The master said, "Master Gonbei's bravery is not a hidden matter in Japan. It is truly a shame that such a man of bravery has been placed in a low rank such as you are in now. This must be contrary to your wishes. If you were to become a retainer of mine, I would give you half the domain .''
Giving no answer at all, Gonbei suddenly pot up from his seat, went out to the veranda, stood facing the house, and urinated. Then he said, "If I were the master's retainer, it would never do to urinate from here."