The Way of the Warrior - 25 Essential Books for the Warrior Lifestyle
Discover the 25 essential books for the warrior lifestyle, from Hagakure to the Code of the Samurai. This curated list of philosophy, history, and discipline is your ultimate guide to mastering the way of the warrior.
Book
Code of the Samurai
by Thomas Cleary
A powerful contemporary translation of the classic treatise of the Way of the Warrior! Code of the Samurai is a four-hundred-year-old explication of the rules and expectations embodied in Bushido, the Japanese way of the warrior. Bushido has played a major role in shaping the behavior of modern Japanese government, corporations, society, and individuals, as well as in shaping the modern martial arts within Japan and internationally. The Japanese original of this book, Bushido Shoshinshu, has been one of the primary sources on the tenets of Bushido, a way of thought that remains fascinating and relevant to the modern world, East and West. With a clear, conversational narrative by Thomas Cleary, one of the foremost translators of the wisdom of Asia, and powerfully evocative line drawings by master illustrator Oscar Ratti, this book is indispensable to the corporate executive, student of the Asian Culture, and martial artist.
Book
Hagakure
by Tsunetomo Yamamoto
This treatise comprises the authentic relections of a 17th-century Samurai warrior on the character of martial life and death. It aims to be an invaluable guide to the disciplines of thought and practice required of the serious martial artist. Hagakure (In the Shadow of Leaves') is a manual for the samurai classes consisting of a series of short anecdotes and reflections that give both insight and instruction-in the philosophy and code of behavior that foster the true spirit of Bushido-the Way of the Warrior. It is not a book of philosophy as most would understand the word:'
