u003cbu003eThe definitive translation of the seminal treatise on the code of the samurai.u003c/bu003e u003cpu003eLiving and dying with bravery and honor is at the heart of u003ciu003eHagakureu003c/iu003e, a series of over 1,300 short texts written by eighteenth-century samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo. These texts illuminate the classic Japanese concept of u003ciu003ebushidou003c/iu003e (the Way of the Warrior), which dictated how samurai were expected to behave, conduct themselves, live, and die. Acclaimed translator William Scott Wilson has selected and translated here three hundred of those texts to create an accessible distillation of this guide, making it one of the most thorough and astonishing windows into the captivating world of the samurai available. u003cpu003e This edition includes an introduction that delves into the Zen concept of u003ciu003emugau003c/iu003e, or "death" of the ego, giving an in-depth historical and philosophical background for the more metaphorical reading of u003ciu003eHagakure u003c/iu003ethat is based on Tsunetomo's reference to u003ciu003ebushido u003c/iu003eas "the Way of death." Through this lens, which has held a morbid fascination for readers through the years, the classic takes on a fresh and nuanced appeal. u003cpu003e This book was previously published under the title u003ciu003eHagakureu003c/iu003e. u003cpu003eThis book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. u003cpu003eThe Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.
