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The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman
 
 
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The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman [Special Edition] (Hardcover)

by Takuan Soho (Author), William Scott Wilson (Translator) "The term ignorance means the absence of enlightenment ..." (more)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 142 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd; Gift edition edition (9 Jan 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 4770029470
  • ISBN-13: 978-4770029478
  • Product Dimensions: 19 x 13.5 x 1.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 396,859 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

This martial arts guide contains three essays from the golden age of the samurai, composed by the spiritual mentor of Musashi and which expound upon the true philosophy of the martial way. It should offer sound guidance for enhanced spiritual development for today's practising martial artist.
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The term ignorance means the absence of enlightenment. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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4.1 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating, an essential companion for all men of faith, 30 Aug 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master (Paperback)
Takuan Soho's insight into the mechanics of the mind and its effects on performance, is much more than a manual for the martial artist. To sum up the first essay simply as saying "practice makes perfect" shows the ignorance Soho addresses in the first line of the first essay.

The three essays requires contemplation and an appreciation of its context. It is a useful companion to anyone who sees the usefulness of constant striving to improve one's Self, "We are that which we habitually do...", and a reminder to all faiths that humanity requires a moral code.

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14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent collection from an old master, 24 Nov 2002
This review is from: The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master (Paperback)
In this book, do not expect to find either enlightenment or the answer to your questions, because this is not a guide to life or spiritualism. Rather, the unfettered mind is a collection of letters, each revealing the viewpoint of the Zen master Takuan to the reciever. An amusing and deeply philosophical book, portraying a "path" long since abandoned. A must for anyone's bookshelf that contains spiritual books.
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6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but not illuminating., 6 April 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master (Paperback)
Takuan Soho has a book made of 3 parts, the first is a letter he wrote to a sword master about not "stopping the mind" and "the right mind" which basically amounts to "practice makes perfect" to the modern marital artist. I can't say that it went any further than that.

The next section reminded me very strongly of Plato's republic, as Takuan Soho went into the nature of the world as it is, which is very much seen through the lense of his understanding (16th century Japanese science I guess) which is sometimes ridiculous, and of limited use.

The third section is interesting, as he takes writing of various martial artists and interprets them or critiques them. This is useful for a modern martial artist, as we lack much of the historical and cultural context to interpret these directly from the translation. This section, along with the first are what makes the book worth reading. Still, I think that there are many more useful books out there for the martial artist to read before this one. Try Frederick Lovret's "Way and the Power", or Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" or Musashi's "A Book of Five Rings". All of these are much more useful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A different angle
I have read allot of these types of books, I find them very hard going at times. What I get out of them is a view into a different world, sometimes they barely seem human but... Read more
Published 10 months ago by M. Davidson

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Translation
This book contains a collection of three letters/essays from Takuan Soho to masters of the sword arts. They contain some incredible gems. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2007 by M. A. Ramos

2.0 out of 5 stars A bit spiritual
I couldn't get into this book. I preferred the philosophy of Hagakure and the practicality of the Book of 5 Rings. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2002 by Chris (mcmurdofromtheair@hotma...

5.0 out of 5 stars A PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
I have been involved with the martial arts for over 25 years. Student, instructor, swordsman. I consider this book a reference tool and a source of inspiritation. Read more
Published on 11 Jul 1998

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