The Ronin

By William Dale Jennings

Book Overview

"A thunderbolt, full of lightning and excitement, one you won't put down until its last extraordinary page." --The Japan Times

The violence of twelfth-century Japan explodes in this half-legendary, half-true story of a violent man who becomes a folk hero. A heartless savage, the Ronin, or "wandering samurai," slashes his way up from the gutter to wealth, honor and status. In spite of his crime sand bloodthirsty cruelty, he bears the strange mark of destiny that the wise see and respect, even as he destroys them.

The tale which is told with humor and irony, ranges from the pleasantly colloquial to the brutally satiric, yet never relents in the Ronin's ruthless search for the truth. The storyteller hides nothing and speaks bluntly, yet this jewel-like tale shimmers with tantalizing riddles that will haunt the reader just as they haunted the Ronin. Sure to shock, confound and ultimately inspire readers, The Ronin is loosely based on an ancient legend told to the author by the Zen Master Nyogen Senzaki.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4805308834
• ISBN13: 9784805308837
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Was there ever an epileptic ronin in history?

So excited to read this

Story we all can learn from

I first read this story back in high school and had nearly forgotten it. I came across a quote from the story in an old file and discovered the book could still be acquired. The quote: "When life is more terrible than death, then it is the truest valor to dare to live." In these times we live in it is humbling to think that mankind has struggled for thousands of years against all odds to dare to live.

Gripping Through the End!

From the moment I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. The way it is written keeps you driving to the end. Every perplexing event leads you forcefully into yet another. The writing in my opinion is perfectly done to convey a very surreal atmosphere. The message of the book is unexplainable, but reading the book brings understanding that can only be vaguely told through words.Don't be fooled; this story is authentic. Jennings has done an impeccable job of putting this story (told to him by Nyogen Senzaki) to text in such a gripping way. It is also very "zen" in how we find the stories of several seemingly unrelated people come together in such an important way.Loved this book, highly recommend it to anyone, Zen practitioner or not.

Execellant Story

I was intrigued by the title and the fact that it was a Japanese Samurai (Ronin) myth. In my studies I have found those stories translated to english have be most enjoyable. I truely enjoyed this reading. I started early one morning and could not put it down until I was done later that evening...Well done, I hope he does more translations for our reading pleasure...

Exhilerating, introspection that transcends cultures

A must for those who have searched and believe in the truth. That sacrifice is paramount to enlightenment. Definitely a book for the perceptive poet-warrior. For those who pursue ability and seek to reveal all facets of emotion through martial arts. The Ronin's journey puts the mysticism of abstract Zen in relative perspective. A must read.

Two Zen tales fleshed out into a must-read Samurai novel.

Starting with two stories from "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones," Jennings wrote a story which should delight fans of Kurosawa and Mifune. A joy throughout, "The Ronin" is a special delight at the end. This book is gutsy and robust, not for those who must smell only the flowers but not the fertilizer. I've read "The Ronin" perhaps 10 times and given away perhaps 20 copies--all to people who read and enjoyed it before I offered to let them keep it.