The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman PDF
Preview The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman
Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Contents Dedication Publisher’S Note Preface Introduction The Mysterious Record of Immovable Wisdom The Clear Sound of Jewels Annals of the Sword Taia Notes Bibliography E-mail Sign-Up ABOUT THE BOOK 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 Sōhō (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. WILLIAM SCOTT WILSON is the foremost translator into English of traditional Japanese texts on samurai culture. His best-selling translations include Hagakure and The Book of Five Rings. Sign up to learn more about our books and receive special offers from Shambhala Publications. Or visit us online to sign up at shambhala.com/eshambhala. “One— After twenty years of wearing out countless straw sandals What can you say to have gained? This one point!” —Takuan Sōhō The Unfettered Mind Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman Takuan Sōhō Translated by William Scott Wilson SHAMBHALA Boston & London 2012 Frontispiece: “Ichi” by Takuan Sōhō. Used by permission of Kaeru-An. Translation by John Stevens. Shambhala Publications, Inc. Horticultural Hall 300 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02115 www.shambhala.com English translation © 1986 and 2002 by William Scott Wilson Cover art from the John Stevens Collection All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Takuan Soho, 1573–1645. [Works. Selections. English. 2012] The unfettered mind / Takuan Soho; translated by William Scott Wilson. pages—cm eISBN 978-0-8348-2789-9 ISBN 978-1-59030-986-5 (pbk.) 1. Zen Buddhism—Doctrines. 2. Martial arts—Religious aspects—Zen Buddhism. 3.Takuan Soho, 1573–1645—Correspondence. 4. Zen priests—Japan—Correspondence. I. Wilson, William Scott, 1944– translator, writer of added commentary. II.Title. BQ9399.T332 2012 294.3′420427—dc23 2011049235 CONTENTS Preface Introduction The Mysterious Record of Immovable Wisdom The Clear Sound of Jewels Annals of the Sword Taia Notes Bibliography E-mail Sign-Up Dedicated to Gary Miller Haskins PUBLISHER’S NOTE This book includes some diacritics and special characters. If you encounter difficulty displaying these characters, please set your e-reader device to publisher defaults (if available) or to an alternate font.
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