Immovable Wisdom, The Art of Zen Strategy: The Art of Zen Strategy, The Teachings of Takuan Soho

Takuan Soho was one of the great traditional Zen masters of Japan's Middle Ages. He was influential in all strata of society and wrote to a wide range of persons about his thoughts on matters as wide ranging as sword usage and poetry. He was the youngest person selected to head a temple and lived up to the expectations of the Shogun. Well worth reading, and a good addition to the library of a person who likes to have some real insight into the mind of an excellent thinker.

Came in good condition, I wouldn't have known about Miyamoto Musashi or Takuan Soho if i hadn't read the Vagabond manga

This is a superb translation of a work that is often underestimated, especially in the West. One of the reasons is the poor translations that are around. Compare, for instance, the closing paragraphs of the Wondrous Record of Immovable Wisdom, in which Takuan reproaches his long-time friend, the famous swordsman Yagyu Munenori. Whereas existing translations seek to put a positive gloss on Munenori's pride, lustfulness, and general indulgence through obfuscation, this translation accurately convey's Takuan's disapproval in no uncertain terms.It is exactly this quality of Takuan's work—its uncompromising pursuit of the Way—that is often "lost in translation" and makes this rendition such a riveting read. Highly recommended.

Synopsis:Zen Master Takuan Soho (1573-1645) was living proof of the saying, "If you are a master of Zen you can be a master of anything".Takuan was a master of calligraphy, painting, martial arts and gardening, and the abbot of Daitokuji, the leading Rinzai Temple in Kyoto.In this book we have an account of Takuan's life and translations of all his important writing.

this is a great book, sad to see it's out of stock, get it as soon as Amazon has it back. It's a little too deep so you'll want to read it again and again, but instead of just reading the deep concepts of Takuan, you awake to them as you read, it's like remembering something you, somehow, already knew.

Brill book as an introduction but also for an alternative perspective on Zen teachings. Relevant to modern sports science concepts of flow. Bindings are undamaged and of good standard.