The Go Rin no Sho of Miyamoto Musashi (The Budo Classics #3) Book by Kim Taylor

Already many translations have been made and published of the Gorin no Sho scrolls. Why publish another one then?

To quote Raymond Sosnowski: “The most famous bodies of literature were written in Biblical Hebrew, Classical Latin, Sanscrit, Classical Chinese, etc. Not in English. Due to this fact, translated works are open to varied interpretation based on experience”.
In the case of Gorin no Sho, translations up to now show a definite ‘lack’ of experience of the writer/interpreter. Gorin no Sho was written in Japanese Medieval times, when education was drawn from Confucian and Buddhist meanings. Musashi draws strongly on the virtues of Buddhist teaching, therefore it is a prerequisite for those studying his work in depth to also study Buddhism.

The lack of accuracy in translations is always the result of inadequate background knowledge of a subject. Many translators substitute for this lack of knowledge by making translations that are made up for with ‘flowery words’. Many are without doubt excellent wordsmiths but have never actually practiced within the school. It not only teaches the practical fundamentals but also the philosophical outlook one needs to acquire along with the tests of spiritual and mental capability.

Why should one choose to favor this translation?

Because Kim Taylor already had a more than ample background knowledge of Musashi's strategy and methods before he decided to do this work. Reading between the lines in interpretation is not necessary. Add the practice to the reading, commit a lifetime to its study and we have the whole picture. This is the translation you will need to piece it all together and to identify with other schools methodology. As Musashi himself said, “Flowers look nice but don’t bear fruit”. This translation is fruit you need to consume.

208 pages