Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai

Si trovano in giro un'infinità di traduzioni dell'Hagakure, alcune grossolanamente incomplete o reinterpretate. non dico che questa sia la migliore perché a questo punto è difficile capire quale corrisponda di più all'originale. Ciò detto, il testo appare molto completo e vicino allo stile dell'opera originale di cui non conosco che alcuni brani (rivisti) in lingua giapponese moderna. Utilissime le note e sobria l'interpretazione, come si addice agli argomenti trattati.

I love history so this is quite an interesting and addictive book, the amount of detail is amazing. As your reading it your always gasping ' I never knew that, " it's that good. Samurai fans, history fans and even normal people ( only kidding we're all normal even history fans,) will enjoy this book.

Gutes buch

I can think of perhaps no one better qualified than Alex Bennett to do a new translation of Hagakure into English; Professor Bennett is probably the foremost authority on Budō and bushidō writing in English (and probably any other language) today. His extensive experience as both a practitioner and researcher of the Japanese martial traditions renders him especially suited to the task, and Bennett's translation does not disappoint: thoroughly researched from a historical perspective, yet with a keen eye toward what lessons the text may hold for readers of today, both practitioners of the martial arts and non-practitioners alike. It is eminently readable, devoid of the stuffy archaicisms often resorted to by translators of such texts in order to give them an exotic flavor; this translation favors substance over surface. My only quibble with the text has nothing to do with the translation, but with the publisher Tuttle's decision to go with a somewhat substandard quality of paper used for the first imprint of the book itself. I understand that the publishing industry is facing difficulties with the production of physical books in the face of digital publishing's continuing rise, but cutting costs by producing cheaper printings seems like a step in exactly the wrong direction. This is not a throwaway beach novel or once-through self-help toss-off, but a classic, one to which readers will want to refer again and again, and which deserves a physical presentation worthy of its quality. I can only hope that future editions are of higher physical quality, perhaps also with a hardcover available. In this day and age, if one is going to buy an actual book, it seems like it should be one worth keeping. In the meantime, I'm afraid I would suggest the Kindle edition.

This book is amazing. It's intellectual, inspiring, and thought contemplative. Highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks a purpose in life. Just like the book of 5 rings by Miyamoto Musashi, or that of Bushido the soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe the path of the Samurai or as a Ronin is a life worthy of your attention. Honor will come.