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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
خلاصه کل کتاب
1- حواست به زبونت باشه
2- به امیرت در تمام شرایط وفادار باش
3- کمتر فکر کن بیشتر عمل
4- اگه آبرو ریزی کردی خودکشی کن!
این سه تا توصیه رو به شصت شکل مختلف تکرار کرده! خیلی حکمت خاصی هم در کتاب موجود نیست!
1- حواست به زبونت باشه
2- به امیرت در تمام شرایط وفادار باش
3- کمتر فکر کن بیشتر عمل
4- اگه آبرو ریزی کردی خودکشی کن!
این سه تا توصیه رو به شصت شکل مختلف تکرار کرده! خیلی حکمت خاصی هم در کتاب موجود نیست!
Embrace death and drink horse shit. A stark reminder of differences between cultures and ideologies.
What an interesting look into the Samurai and Feudal Period of Japan. This reads as a collection of proverbs, myths, historical accounts, and descriptions of events that end in seppuku (when you stab yourself in the gut to release your spirit, then have someone cut off your head before you start complaining about it).
Seriously. The punishment for every crime, and just the end result of what must have been half of the stories here, is seppuku. Your master dies of old age? The rest of the house is going to commit seppuku. Lose at Go and beat up your opponent in a fit of rage? Commit seppuku. Get mugged by some peasants, then get chastised by your wife for not killing them all on the spot, but then actually kill them when they show up again at your house later? Get sentenced to seppuku. Run into a burning house to collect the Lord of the domain's genealogical scrolls, but get halfway burnt to death in the process? Commit seppuku before you're fully burnt to death. Get caught in adultery? Commit seppuku, but in the process write a note to your uncle who called you a coward one time and tell him he's a piece of garbage.
There were some interesting stories and good advice here, and ultimately I found the book entertaining in a variety of ways.
Christmas Eve Gift from Bailey 2021
Seriously. The punishment for every crime, and just the end result of what must have been half of the stories here, is seppuku. Your master dies of old age? The rest of the house is going to commit seppuku. Lose at Go and beat up your opponent in a fit of rage? Commit seppuku. Get mugged by some peasants, then get chastised by your wife for not killing them all on the spot, but then actually kill them when they show up again at your house later? Get sentenced to seppuku. Run into a burning house to collect the Lord of the domain's genealogical scrolls, but get halfway burnt to death in the process? Commit seppuku before you're fully burnt to death. Get caught in adultery? Commit seppuku, but in the process write a note to your uncle who called you a coward one time and tell him he's a piece of garbage.
There were some interesting stories and good advice here, and ultimately I found the book entertaining in a variety of ways.
Christmas Eve Gift from Bailey 2021
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.
Kind of an odd collection of how to be a good samurai (including musings on how the kids today weren’t properly disembowling themselves when they should have), mixed in with ... I guess a few things that are kinda good advice?
Hagakure, by Yamamoto Tsunetomo is a book less about how to become a Samurai, and more about what sort of mindset is ideal for those who follow 'The way' of the Samurai.
The first few chapters contain observations to this effect. While the latter part of book are filled with countless anecdotes and hearsay tales of those individuals who lived and died in accordance with 'The way'. Which is counter by how Yamamoto was a Samurai who lived in a time of peace during the Tokugawa Shogunate.
For all his words Yamamoto seems to be the one who regrets the passing of the times of Sengoku, when blood flowed freely and men gained glory in battle. Yamamoto believed that, in his time, men have become soft. Men’s pulse which was distinct to a woman, had now become the same for both sexes. So much so that medicine which once was used for women, could be used for men. The pulse of men had diluted, and there were fewer men of character. And fewer who could commit clear beheadings with conviction. Strange times, eh
He preaches a dangerous world, where men should throw themselves headlong into battle, with no though of tactics or planning, for these were deplorable. Everyone knows that a true man can win battles with his strength alone. And start cutting down bodies left and right, at the slight hint of being offended.
I can see why Imperialist Japan encouraged its spread during the early 20th century. The book prescribes unwavering and unquestioned loyalty to one's master, assuming that said master too is a man of character.
Keeping aside some questionable views, which can be considered par for course for its time, Hagakure also establishes what is the four tenets of the way of the Samurai
One thing I appreciate books of this genre, like [b:A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy|867247|A Book of Five Rings The Classic Guide to Strategy|Miyamoto Musashi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440367630l/867247._SX50_.jpg|1318780] is that they don't presume to tell you how to do the things. Rather, how to develop the right mindset for a warrior prepared to court death. Things should be kept simple and clear, (Yamamoto also has a distaste for the likes of 'martial arts' implying such arts are not befitting for a warrior. Seeing the drama that certain chinese martial arts, I tend to agree)
But where it truly shines is as an almost meditative treatise on what things are necessary for a proper life. How not be marred by mediocrity, how to live and die with purpose. Hell, some passages could've come straight out of some self-help book.
Approach the book like a crow, pick what you want, and see as useful; There is much to learn in this manner.
The first few chapters contain observations to this effect. While the latter part of book are filled with countless anecdotes and hearsay tales of those individuals who lived and died in accordance with 'The way'. Which is counter by how Yamamoto was a Samurai who lived in a time of peace during the Tokugawa Shogunate.
“It is said that what is called "the spirit of an age" is something to which one cannot return. That this spirit gradually dissipates is due to the world's coming to an end. For this reason, although one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation.”
For all his words Yamamoto seems to be the one who regrets the passing of the times of Sengoku, when blood flowed freely and men gained glory in battle. Yamamoto believed that, in his time, men have become soft. Men’s pulse which was distinct to a woman, had now become the same for both sexes. So much so that medicine which once was used for women, could be used for men. The pulse of men had diluted, and there were fewer men of character. And fewer who could commit clear beheadings with conviction. Strange times, eh
He preaches a dangerous world, where men should throw themselves headlong into battle, with no though of tactics or planning, for these were deplorable. Everyone knows that a true man can win battles with his strength alone. And start cutting down bodies left and right, at the slight hint of being offended.
I can see why Imperialist Japan encouraged its spread during the early 20th century. The book prescribes unwavering and unquestioned loyalty to one's master, assuming that said master too is a man of character.
Keeping aside some questionable views, which can be considered par for course for its time, Hagakure also establishes what is the four tenets of the way of the Samurai
Never lag behind in the pursuit of Bushido
Always be loyal and devoted to the service of your lord
Do your duty to your parents
Manifest great compassion; and act for the sake of Mankind.
One thing I appreciate books of this genre, like [b:A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy|867247|A Book of Five Rings The Classic Guide to Strategy|Miyamoto Musashi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440367630l/867247._SX50_.jpg|1318780] is that they don't presume to tell you how to do the things. Rather, how to develop the right mindset for a warrior prepared to court death. Things should be kept simple and clear, (Yamamoto also has a distaste for the likes of 'martial arts' implying such arts are not befitting for a warrior. Seeing the drama that certain chinese martial arts, I tend to agree)
But where it truly shines is as an almost meditative treatise on what things are necessary for a proper life. How not be marred by mediocrity, how to live and die with purpose. Hell, some passages could've come straight out of some self-help book.
"Everyone let's the present moment slip by, and then looks for it as though it were somewhere else."
"Throughout your life, advance daily. Becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending."
Approach the book like a crow, pick what you want, and see as useful; There is much to learn in this manner.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
An interesting insight into the philosophy of samurai.
It was good.
A bit long-in-the-tooth though. It took a while to get going.
Really enjoyed the honor and duty aspects of the warriors. Great lessons in the philosophy and code of the Bushido.
I would instead recommend you first read [b:A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy|867247|A Book of Five Rings The Classic Guide to Strategy|Miyamoto Musashi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440367630l/867247._SX50_.jpg|1318780] or [b:Bushido: The Soul of Japan. A Classic Essay on Samurai Ethics|661723|Bushido The Soul of Japan. A Classic Essay on Samurai Ethics|Inazō Nitobe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348666091l/661723._SX50_.jpg|2279634] if interested in Japanese philosophy.
3.5/5
A bit long-in-the-tooth though. It took a while to get going.
Really enjoyed the honor and duty aspects of the warriors. Great lessons in the philosophy and code of the Bushido.
I would instead recommend you first read [b:A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy|867247|A Book of Five Rings The Classic Guide to Strategy|Miyamoto Musashi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440367630l/867247._SX50_.jpg|1318780] or [b:Bushido: The Soul of Japan. A Classic Essay on Samurai Ethics|661723|Bushido The Soul of Japan. A Classic Essay on Samurai Ethics|Inazō Nitobe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348666091l/661723._SX50_.jpg|2279634] if interested in Japanese philosophy.
3.5/5
Honestly about 2.8 but I’m rounding up. Less to do with the book itself (there’s nothing wrong with it) but it just wasn’t for me. I was hoping to get more cultural tidbit out of this reading but after about 30% you know what you’re in for and not much else is revealed.
I'm aware of the time period in which this was written, but I still ick when he comments about women. He thinks that you should only "keep" the eldest daughter, the others are useless, etc... To be honest, this really pisses me off. I wanted to shake him and yell "Leave the women alone!"
On the other hand, you can get an insight into Japanese heritage and culture. But be aware that this book is quite old, so some of the views are incredibly outdated and triggering. :)
On the other hand, you can get an insight into Japanese heritage and culture. But be aware that this book is quite old, so some of the views are incredibly outdated and triggering. :)