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Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 5 2012, 01:16 PM

Well, since I got into the martial arts field, I have started studying famous books written by the masters of the olden times. And what book would be best to start with, other than 'The book of 5 rings' written by the founder of the technique I am studying myself? Miyamoto Musashi was a brilliant person - master swordsman - actually it is said he was the greatest that ever lived, strategist, painter and poet. No wonder that a guy like him could have such a broad vision and understanding of things!

Gorin No Sho - The Book of 5 Rings, is a strategy book at its roots, but it deals with life and makes a lot of interesting parallels with everything surrounding us, in such a way that if a person takes some time to extrapolate and apply his teachings in modern life and reality, his/ her life would be a lot nicer and better.

Now, reading Musashi doesn't mean you need to pick up a sword and start training day and night (although this was his fervent preaching), but for instance, from his saying - 'From one thing, come to know 10000 things' we can realize the similarities which can be drawn between various fields of activities, conceptually speaking. For me, being acquainted with playing the guitar, has provided a big advantage once I picked up the sword - I am armed with the patience, attention to detail, focus and willingness to practice constantly, which I acquired only because I've been friends with the 6 stringed instrument.

Or from 'Everything is difficult at first' we come to realize that it takes practice to transform something into second nature - just like with playing the guitar. I think that all of us here could draw A LOT of benefits GUITAR/ MUSIC wise, just by taking the time to read his book, not only with our eyes but with our minds as well.

If you want to find out more, just click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Five_Rings

I for one am addicted So why not give it yourself a try?

Cosmin

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Sep 5 2012, 03:34 PM

I read "The Lord of the Rings" a couple of times, does this help me in any way when it comes to martial arts?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 5 2012, 04:22 PM

I don't know

You might become good at shooting the bow like Legolas, right?

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Sep 5 2012, 04:27 PM

Hehe, I should give it a try ^^

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 5 2012, 04:42 PM

It's crazy how many times he says - 'You must practice constantly/ You must practice hardly/ You must practice assiduously....'

I feel almost like he will kick my b..t if I don't practice

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 5 2012, 11:42 PM

This is the book that I mentioned in that really long thread I did "The Way is Training" a while back and it's AWESOME! I included a great documentary in the post as well that goes in to the books history. CHeck the vid out if you get a chance! The thread ended being worth of framing

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=45372&view=findpost&p=597904


Here is the documentary. Long but worth a watch for any budding Samurai, or Shredder.

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 5 2012, 08:16 AM)

Well, since I got into the martial arts field, I have started studying famous books written by the masters of the olden times. And what book would be best to start with, other than 'The book of 5 rings' written by the founder of the technique I am studying myself? Miyamoto Musashi was a brilliant person - master swordsman - actually it is said he was the greatest that ever lived, strategist, painter and poet. No wonder that a guy like him could have such a broad vision and understanding of things!

Gorin No Sho - The Book of 5 Rings, is a strategy book at its roots, but it deals with life and makes a lot of interesting parallels with everything surrounding us, in such a way that if a person takes some time to extrapolate and apply his teachings in modern life and reality, his/ her life would be a lot nicer and better.

Now, reading Musashi doesn't mean you need to pick up a sword and start training day and night (although this was his fervent preaching), but for instance, from his saying - 'From one thing, come to know 10000 things' we can realize the similarities which can be drawn between various fields of activities, conceptually speaking. For me, being acquainted with playing the guitar, has provided a big advantage once I picked up the sword - I am armed with the patience, attention to detail, focus and willingness to practice constantly, which I acquired only because I've been friends with the 6 stringed instrument.

Or from 'Everything is difficult at first' we come to realize that it takes practice to transform something into second nature - just like with playing the guitar. I think that all of us here could draw A LOT of benefits GUITAR/ MUSIC wise, just by taking the time to read his book, not only with our eyes but with our minds as well.

If you want to find out more, just click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Five_Rings

I for one am addicted So why not give it yourself a try?

Cosmin

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 6 2012, 07:56 AM

As I have said in your thread, I have watched the documentary a few months ago and I discovered stuff out of there as well. You know, it's much more TV oriented But the book....THE BOOK man Read it

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 6 2012, 10:29 AM

I've wanted to read this book for a long time but apparently there's many translations so it's easy to get a bad one instead of a good one.. not sure which one to get. Same situation as 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu. Another classic but beware of bad translations. Sounds like you got a good one though !

QUOTE (Marcus Siepen @ Sep 5 2012, 03:34 PM)

I read "The Lord of the Rings" a couple of times, does this help me in any way when it comes to martial arts?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 6 2012, 10:30 AM

Got both from my Sensei, so I think he has the good ones

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 6 2012, 02:42 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 5 2012, 11:42 AM)

It's crazy how many times he says - 'You must practice constantly/ You must practice hardly/ You must practice assiduously....'

I feel almost like he will kick my b..t if I don't practice

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 6 2012, 02:56 AM)

As I have said in your thread, I have watched the documentary a few months ago and I discovered stuff out of there as well. You know, it's much more TV oriented But the book....THE BOOK man Read it

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 6 2012, 03:19 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Sep 6 2012, 01:42 PM)

A man after my own Heart! : )

At the end of all my youtube videos, I'd always end with 'PRACTICE!!!!!".





My bad! I forgot all about the fact that we actually discussed the documentary Sorry about that.

You nailed on on the TV bit, it's a great documentary but it pales to the book of five rings itself!

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Sep 6 2012, 04:15 PM

Thanks for sharing this documentation, I will be in the USA next week to play a show at the Prog Power Festival in Atlanta and I am sure that my Jetlag will offer me a good opportunity to watch it ;-)

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 7 2012, 07:41 AM

QUOTE (Marcus Siepen @ Sep 6 2012, 03:15 PM)

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Sep 7 2012, 08:05 AM

Do you know if there is a version for the kindle? I will check this later.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 7 2012, 08:09 AM

QUOTE (Marcus Siepen @ Sep 7 2012, 07:05 AM)