The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho) was written by Miyamoto Musashi. It is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, much like Sun Tzu's The Art of War.
The book is also known as The Book of the Elements, referring to the individual titles of the chapters, named after the five rings. The five rings are Ground, Water, Fire, Wind and the Void. Each ring represents a different aspect of strategy, and by mastering all five rings, it is supposed that you make yourself invincible in combat. Although to members of the Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu it is merely a manual of technique and philosophy.
This book is also a central idea in the book Wielding A Red Sword, by Piers Anthony, as well as The Ninja, by Eric van Lustbader .
External links
- Information on understanding Go Rin no Sho by Imai Masayuki Nobukatsu, 10th sōke of Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū can be found here: http://www.hyoho.com