What are the best (English) versions of these books/texts? I'm thinking of buying them, but after a quick search on an internet bookstore I found 15 or so editions of Book of Five Rings, and a similar number for Art of War (bit less for Hagakure), so which ones should I buy? I'm looking for the most complete and best translated versions, not necessarily top-quality hardbacks. I want to read them, not show them off in my bookshelf.
heya hanzo, it all depends on what topic your after, if you want strategy go for the art of war, hagakure for a guide on bushido, five rings is miyamoto musashis book on way of a warriors life, hope it helps you out, good luck!
In my sword; the wind, in my heart; courage, in my eyes; death...I am Minagawa
I picked up a cheapo $5 paperback copy after seeing Ghost Dog and it suited me just fine. Unless you're a linguist or historian of Japan, most copies in English probably read pretty much the same.
Minagawa: I know what they are, and I want to buy all of them, not just one of them. What I was asking for was which version of each to buy.
The Thomas Cleary translations of 'Art of War' and 'Five Rings', published currently through Shambala, have always been well-regarded. Cleary has a reputation as one of the west's foremost translators. My favorite Hagakure translation was that done by William Scott Wilson (and published by Kodansha). I have never come across an unabridged 'Hagakure' in english before, however.
Thanks a bunch. Those suggestions were really helpful, and I found good prices, so I'll be buying them today.
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