The Swordsmanship of Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings" as Interpreted by the Successor of the Enmei Ryu School Book by Tatsuo Akabane & Daisuke Akabane

As practitioners of swordsmanship, what can we truly learn from Miyamoto Musashi? This book delves into the authentic philosophy and value of Musashi, interpreting The Book of Five Rings as a manual for swordsmanship. Musashi was Japan's first figure to derive profound ideas directly from physical practice.

Unlike the common perception of him as a seeker dedicated to elevating his spirit, Musashi was a samurai wholly focused on defeating his enemies and perfecting the art of the sword. His philosophy contradicted the ideals of harmony between the literary and martial arts and stood in stark opposition to the Edo-period Bushido. Musashi’s swordsmanship rejected the concept of “life-giving sword” (katsujinken) and emphasized a physical rather than spiritual approach to mastery.

The authors, inheritors of Musashi's Enmei-ryu and practitioners of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu at the Harukaze-kan Dojo in Nagoya, uncover historical texts such as Enmei Sanjugo Kajō (The 35 Articles of Enmei) and its derived Heiho Sanjugokajō. These sources, along with the developmental process of The Book of Five Rings, trace Musashi’s evolution in thought, words, and techniques. This comprehensive study by seasoned Musashi scholars is the culmination of years of dedicated research, offering insights into his character, swordsmanship, and ultimate principles.

About the Authors

Tatsuo Akabane
An emeritus professor of philosophy at Kanagawa Dental University, Tatsuo Akabane has dedicated his life to studying and practicing traditional Japanese martial arts. At the Nagoya-based Harukaze-kan Dojo, he has trained in Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, Enmei-ryu, and Owari Kanyu Sojutsu, techniques preserved since the Edo period. Currently, as the head of the Harukaze-kan Kanto Branch, he leads and teaches "Shinkage-ryu and Enmei-ryu Training Groups" in Kamakura and Yokosuka. His notable works include Learning Yagyu Shinkage-ryu and Learning Musashi's Enmei-ryu (Book and DVD), Musashi's Undefeated Technique, and  Musashi and Yagyu Shinkage-ryu.

Daisuke Akabane
A master of Kanyu Sojutsu and Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, Daisuke Akabane is also the 17th successor of Owari Enmei-ryu. He teaches alongside his father, Tatsuo Akabane, at the Harukaze-kan Kanto Branch. His co-authored works include Military Studies of Shinkage-ryu: Kun’etsushu, Learning Musashi's Enmei-ryu, and Musashi and Yagyu Shinkage-ryu. He has also contributed to Studies of the Yagyu Arts, edited by Kanekichi Kobe, and Research on Miyamoto Musashi's Enmei-ryu Sakurayama Family Records.

272 pages

Language: Japanese

Publication date: 2014