Training the Samurai Mind · A Bushido Sourcebook

Through the ages, the samurai have

been associated with honor, fearlessness, calm, decisive action, strategic

thinking, and martial prowess. Their ethos is known as bushido , the Way of the Warrior-Knight.

Here,

premier translator Thomas Cleary presents a rich collection of writings on

bushido by warriors, scholars, political advisors, and educators from the

fifteenth century through the nineteenth century that provide a comprehensive,

historically rich view of samurai life and philosophy. Training the Samurai Mind gives an insider’s view of the samurai

world: the moral and psychological development of the warrior, the ethical

standards they were meant to uphold, their training in both martial arts and

strategy, and the enormous role that the traditions of Shintoism, Buddhism,

Confucianism, and Taoism had in influencing samurai ideals.

The

writings deal with a broad range of subjects—from military strategy and political

science, to personal discipline and character development. Cleary introduces

each piece, putting it into historical context, and presents biographical

information about the authors. This is

an essential read for anyone interested in military history and samurai

history, and for martial artists who want to understand strategy.