from dust jacket

Military rule and the martial tradition of the samurai have dominated Japanese culture for centuries, virtually to the present day. According to Thomas Cleary-translator of more than twenty-five classics of Asian pholosophy-the Japanese people have been so steeped in the way of the warrior that some of the manners and mentality of this outlook remain embedded in their individual and collective consciousness. Cleary show how well-known attributes such as the reserve and mystery of formal Japnese behavior are deeply rooted in the ancient strategies of the traditional arts of war. Citing original Japanese sources, including works on Zen and the martial arts (such as Musashi's Book of Five Rings) that are popular among Japanese readers today, he reveals the hidden forces behind Japanese attitudes and conduct in political, business, social, and personal life.

Thomas Cleary is a Buddhist scholar who lived in Japan for six years. He holds a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations form Harvard University. Among his many translations are The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Mastering the Art of War by Zhuge Liang and Liu Ji, and Zen Lessons: The Art of Leadership. His books have appeared in german, French, Italian, and other foreign editions. He lives in Oakland, California.

'[Cleary's] books, full of ancients' advice, speak to a large, spiritually hungry audience.'-San Francisco Chronicle

Contents

Introduction-The inscrutable East: mystification and the art of war; Bushido and Japanese behavior
A Martial History of Japan-Conquest, civil war, militarism, and the rise of the samurai caste
Zen in Japanese History-Zen in Japanese politics, politics in Japanese Zen
Bushido and Martial Arts-The professional warrior's attitude; commercialization of martial arts; organization of a warrior's training; use of Zen psycohology in practical education; defense and invulnerability; timing and success; starting on the way
The Way of the Zen Warrior-Theory and practice; expertise and adepthood; fixation and freedom; Buddhism and everday life artificial Zen; self-mastery; transcendental ethics
daily life of warriors; buoyancy and depression; awareness and timing; mind and action
Schemes of the Samurai-Ethics of warfare; the vanguard of the moment; energy, feeling, and mood; strategy in social and professional relationships; appearance and intention; expediency; strategic mystery; fluidity on the warrior's way; first strike, second strike; disarming opponents; ways of winning
The Thirty-six Strategies-Classical foundations of the science of conflict; root teachings on the art of war
Bushido and Christianity: Ethical Crossroads-Zen, society, and morality; pseudo-Christian imperialism and Japanese xenphobia
A Zen Razor-Ignorance and misdirection; artificial esoterism; distinguishing Bushido from Buddhism; the Shinto connection; militarism in Japanese society and psychology
Summary