CompleteMartialArts.com - Yojokun: Life Lessons from a Samurai
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List Price: $19.95
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Manufacturer: Kodansha International
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 613
EAN: 9784770030771
ISBN: 4770030770
Label: Kodansha International
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 2009-01-01
Publisher: Kodansha International
Studio: Kodansha International
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Editorial Reviews:
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The dawn of the 17th century saw peace descend on Japan. With the value of their martial skills on the decline, the samurai sought new spiritual, moral, psychological, and physical moorings. Tsunetomo Yamamoto, author of the now-classic Hagakure, combined a Confucian sense of justice with a Zen-influenced abandonment of the ego to espouse loyalty and death as paramount qualities of the samurai's calling.
Kaibara Ekiken (16301714), a samurai physician with philosophical and Buddhist leanings, took the opposite approach. He sought ways for a healthier, more rewarding life. In his Yojokun: Life Lessons from a Samurai, he collected six decades of study and observation to compile one of the most remarkable commentaries of his age.
Ekiken's sweep was vast. In Yojokun, he combined his knowledge of holistic health, the principles of chi (the material force that pervades all things) and jin (human heartedness), Buddhism, Confucianism, and the art of living. He addressed concerns that ran from mental and physical health to spiritual matters. His discourses examined the intake of food and drink, sexual practices, sustaining stamina and health in old age, overindulgence and restraint, bathing and healthy habits, and more. And throughout his discussion he wove a subtle but potent spiritual and philosophical thread.
Yojokun offers startlingly profound and fresh insights into many of the same problems that concern us today. Translator William Scott Wilson notes Ekikens relevance for the 21st century: The Yojokun, then, is not just a vestige of quaint Orientalia, but rather a living guide to a traditional Way of life and balanced health. If we do not immediately understand some of its more exotic prescripts, it may be wiser not to dismiss them outright, but to approach the work as Ekiken himself might have: with humility, curiosity, respect, and imagination.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: How to Live - basic, simple and to the point
Comment: My Okinawan weapons teacher recommended this book, saying it talked about how to live the middle way in life. It does more than that - it gives you the blue print for living a long, healthy, happy and content life. Our modern medical journals say much the same thing, but several centuries later (except for the author's recommendations for less sleep - that one surprised me). This book states essentially the same recommendations for living as the famous engravings supposedly carved into the temple to Phoebus Apollo at Delphi - only with a lot more detail and substance!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: One of the Oldest Nutritional Guides
Comment: Yojokun is basically one of the oldest nutritional guides. This book by Kaibara Ekiken, a 17th century samurai, covers the importance of nutrition, exercise, and moderation in your activities. This book is basically a collection of Kaibara Ekiken's personal notes on various topics which concern one's health. The majority of his writings have to do with nutritional foods and tips on eating, drinking, food combination, when to eat, and how to eat.
He also covers topics on sexual activity, filial duty, the elderly, energy (chi), and drinking alcohol. I found it very interesting how many of his admonitions follow today's nutritional findings. Being a naturopath and having a background in natural health, I found this book very interesting. The one drawback about this book is the fact that Kaibara Ekiken repeats himself over and over, so many of his teachings on nutrition and health are repeated numerous times throughout this book. Even so, this is an interesting read for anyone who is interested in the ways of the samurai or in nutritional practices and health.
I found the translation very readable and straightforward, and much of the teachings useful for people today. It is a quick and easy read and one in which you can definitely acquire some gems of wisdom which will apply to both your health and your character. I recommend it to all readers who are interested in the subjects of the samurai, health, or ancient wisdom. There is something in this book to satisfy your search for information in all of these areas.
Bohdi Sanders author of Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior
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