The Unfettered Mind

Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

Takuan Soho, William Scott Wilson, William Scott Wilson

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English

Shambhala Publications Inc
15 June 2012

Zen Buddhism

The Japanese have always closely associated the sword and the spirit, but it was in the 1600s during the Tokugawa shogunate when the techniques of swordsmanship became forever associated with the spirit of Zen.

The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention, written by the 17th-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573-1645). Takuan was a gardener, calligrapher, poet, author, adviser to samurai and shoguns, and a pivotal figure in Zen painting.

He was also known for his brilliance and acerbic wit. The succinct and pointed essays in this book were written to the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi.

In these writings Soho is concerned primarily with understanding and refining the mind--both generally and when faced with conflict. Soho illuminates the difference between the right mind and the confused mind, the nature of right-mindedness, and what makes life precious.

First published in 1988, this book is considered a true classic that influenced the direction that the art of Japanese swordsmanship has taken since.

The classic samurai-era text that fused Japanese swordsmanship with Zen philosophy-written by the incomparable Zen master Takuan Soho

Written by the seventeenth-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573-1645), The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention. It was written as a guide for the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi.

Takuan was a giant in the history of Zen; he was also a gardener, calligrapher, poet, author, adviser to samurai and shoguns, and a pivotal figure in Zen painting. He was known for his brilliance and acerbic wit. In these succinct and pointed essays, Takuan is concerned primarily with understanding and refining the mind-both generally and when faced with conflict. The Unfettered Mind was a major influence on the classic manifestos on swordsmanship that came after it, including Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings and Yagyu Munenori's Life-Giving Sword.

By: Takuan Soho
Translated by: William Scott Wilson, William Scott Wilson
Imprint: Shambhala Publications Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 190mm, Width: 133mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 142g
ISBN: 9781590309865
ISBN 10: 1590309863
Pages: 144
Publication Date: 15 June 2012
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

William Scott Wilson is the foremost translator into English of traditional Japanese texts on samurai culture. He received BA degrees from Dartmouth College and the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies, and an MA in Japanese literary studies from the University of Washington. His best-selling books includeThe Book of Five Rings,The Unfettered Mind, andThe Lone Samurai, a biography of Miyamoto Musashi.

Reviews for The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

All of the essays aim at helping the individual know himself and in helping him to embrace the art of life. -The Japan Times Takuan's writing is light on sword-handling and heavy on the spiritual side. -Asahi Evening News All of the essays aim at helping the individual know himself and in helping him to embrace the art of life. -The Japan Times Takuan's writing is light on sword-handling and heavy on the spiritual side. -Asahi Evening News All of the essays aim at helping the individual know himself and in helping him to embrace the art of life. -The Japan Times Takuan's writing is light on sword-handling and heavy on the spiritual side. -Asahi Evening News All of the essays aim at helping the individual know himself and in helping him to embrace the art of life. -The Japan Times Takuan's writing is light on sword-handling and heavy on the spiritual side. -Asahi Evening News