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+Wilson translation

Hagakure: Book of the Samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo 2nd version, revised January 2005

William Scott Wilson

Contents

About this ebook iii
Preface iv
1 Although it stands 1
2 It is said that 52
3 Lord Naoshige once said 77
4 When Nabeshima Tadanao 79
5 No text 82 (No text exists for this Chapter!)
6 When Lord Takanobu 83
7 Narutomi Hyogo said 90
8 On the night of the thirteenth day 104
9 When Shimomura Shoun 124
10 There was a certain retainer 134
11 In the “Notes on Martial Laws” 151
12 Late night idle talk 166

Preface

Hagakure is the essential book of the Samurai. Written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, who was a Samurai in the early 1700s, it is a book that combines the teachings of both Zen and Confucianism. These philosophies are centered on loyalty, devotion, purity and selflessness, and Yamamoto places a strong emphasis on the notion of living in the present moment with a strong and clear mind.

The Samurai were knights who defended and fought for their lords at a time when useful farming land was scarce and in need of protection. They believed in duty, and gave themselves completely to their masters. The Samurai believed that only after transcending all fear could they obtain peace of mind and yield the power to serve their masters faithfully and loyally even in the face of death.

The word Hagakure literally translates as hidden beneath the leaves and also fallen leaves. Perhaps it was named this because at the time that it was written, the way of the samurai was becoming obsolete.

The Hagakure has been rewritten in modern terms by one of Japan’s famous writers, Yukio Mishima. His own views were very similar to those of Yamamoto, particularly the philosophy of cultivating the self. His characters all had self sufficiency in common, and did not rely upon anyone else for completion.

Although the Hagakure was written centuries ago for a breed of warriors that no longer exist, the philosophies and wisdom within are still practical, even in our modern times.

+Wilson translation