Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Training the Samurai Mind  By  cover art

Training the Samurai Mind

By: Thomas Cleary - translator/editor
Narrated by: Brian Nishii
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Through the ages, the samurai have been associated with honor, fearlessness, calm, decisive action, strategic thinking, and martial prowess. Their ethos is known as bushido, the Way of the Warrior-Knight. Here, premier translator Thomas Cleary presents a rich collection of writings on bushido by warriors, scholars, political advisors, and educators from the 15th century through the 19th century that provide a comprehensive, historically rich view of samurai life and philosophy. Training the Samurai Mind gives an insider's view of the samurai world: the moral and psychological development of the warrior, the ethical standards they were meant to uphold, their training in both martial arts and strategy, and the enormous role that the traditions of Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism had in influencing samurai ideals.

The writings deal with a broad range of subjects - from military strategy and political science, to personal discipline and character development. Cleary introduces each piece, putting it into historical context, and presents biographical information about the authors. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in military history and samurai history, and for martial artists who want to understand strategy.

©2008 Thomas Cleary (P)2014 Audible Inc.

More from the same

What listeners say about Training the Samurai Mind

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    421
  • 4 Stars
    155
  • 3 Stars
    68
  • 2 Stars
    19
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    422
  • 4 Stars
    107
  • 3 Stars
    38
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    6
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    362
  • 4 Stars
    120
  • 3 Stars
    66
  • 2 Stars
    21
  • 1 Stars
    10

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Narrative.

An excellent use of the Art of War , bringing forth
the Way of the samurai for modern eye's to see
the true way of the warrior.
Excellent narration, the manorism to which he speaks in the second and third person
perspectives makes this perfect for the mind of the commoner, not just aristocrats. Enjoy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Calm the mind

This book was so mentally relaxing. It is easy to understand and it makes you feel like you are sharpening the blade that is your mind. Fun read and well worth the listen!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • JK
  • 03-29-24

EXCELLENT

I highly recommend listening to this book.
So much interesting information and such a philosophy to apply to our daily life.
In looking back, I realize that my father, an expert “ black belt “ in martial arts, raised me in many ways on the principals described in the book.
I am a female, 86 yrs.old now and he taught me martial arts for “ self defense “ as I was growing up.
So all in all I highly recommend this book.
Brian Nishii as the narrator was an excellent choice. Only he can narrate a book such as this, he is an EXPERT!!
My thanks to all involved, JK.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Warrior's Mindset!

Great book for anyone interested in a warriors mindset. If you are a Martial Artist you should listen to this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gem of life!

Incredible in every sense of the use of the word. I am speechless at the clarity and rationality of its core principles. Thank you for preserving and making this work known, I will listen and meditate upon the wisdom contained for a really long time having to listen to it perhaps but the physical copy several times much like the use of a bible for worldly conduct !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Legit

I listened to this multiple times. tbh it might only be good for those with the mindset to understand the lessons.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great History Lesson

Besides being easy to follow, the general history of various concepts of justice & mercy, culture & military expertise, was the take away from this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very enlightening

There’s something to be said about learning from ancient scholars about the way of the samurai; many modern day understandings are skewed by pop culture references and misconstrued history. This book puts a lot of things into perspective regarding attitudes and the concept of humility and service, two qualities that are at the heart of the samurai. I highly recommend this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Like Art of War

This book is written much like The Art of War but pertaining to samurais. This includes not just the combative aspect but also how samurais ought to conductive themselves with honor towards others, to their superiors and as a leader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such wisdom, such knowledge, wow

Fantastic. Great insight into militant minds that were balanced by faith and honour. Must read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful