Power comes to a man in various ways. Undoubtedly, it is granted to a man by his own personal choice. It is based on his desire to rule or to be ruled. The extent to which that desire is expressed will be made manifest in his life. It does not matter if it is the desire to control an entire country or a desire to control a small faction with a private interest. It depends on a man's thoughts and the manner in which he accepts the truth of his own greatness.
In the tradition of The Art of War and The Book of Five Rings, Stephen Kaufman's The Shogun's Scroll offers timeless advice on success in war and success in life. Written in the voice of Hidetomo Nakadai, a late twelfth century scholar and servant in the court of Minamoto Yoritomo—the first shogun of Japan and one of the world's most ruthless generals—this treatise can be used as a guide for personal development and motivation.
ISBN-13: 978-4805311967 Hardcover 128 pages 5 x 7.5 Tuttle Publishing $14.95
In the tradition of The Art of War and The Book of Five Rings, Stephen Kaufman's The Shogun's Scroll offers timeless advice on success in war and success in life. Written in the voice of Hidetomo Nakadai, a late twelfth century scholar and servant in the court of Minamoto Yoritomo—the first shogun of Japan and one of the world's most ruthless generals—this treatise can be used as a guide for personal development and motivation.
ISBN-13: 978-4805311967 Hardcover 128 pages 5 x 7.5 Tuttle Publishing $14.95
Table of Contents
Author’s Introduction
Nakadai’s Introduction 1 - How Power Comes to Be 2 - Private and Public Domains 3 - Combining Domains Creates Natural Dissension 4 - The Granting of Favors 5 - Further Thoughts on the Wielding of Control 6 - Controlling and Managing by Your Own Ability 7 - Assistance from Without 8 - The Application of Cruelty 9 - The Emperor’s Good Graces 10- Resources 11- Religious Beliefs and the Soul of the People |
12- Mercenary Troops 13- Auxiliary Troops 14- The Shogun’s Concern with Military Matters 15- Why Shoguns are Praised Little and Blamed Much 16- Generosity and Miserliness 17- Looting 18- Revenge 19- The Absolute Necessity of Protocol 20- Making Yourself Understood 21- Countermanding an Order 22- The Deadliness of Arrogance, Conceit and False Pride 23- No-Thing-Ness |
Chapter Sample
The Deadliness of Arrogance, Conceit, and False Pride
When a man has accomplished his goals it is easy for him to slip into the morass of three deadly attitudes — arrogance, conceit, and false pride. It is very hard for most men to avoid this, and it takes a great amount of discipline to control the personality problems that develop with great success. It is at this juncture that you, as the great shogun, will show your mettle and not permit self-flattery to develop.
To be impressed with one's own self importance is to invite flatterers to think you are permitting yourself to become more important than the work you have accomplished. This is the first step towards personal downfall.
It is especially crucial to the shogun in his maintenance and sustenance of power that he become even more ruthless and more demanding of himself and of his people. This is how empires are built and the ironfisted mind of the shogun must prevail, driving his people to ever greater accomplishment.
Future planned works must be based solidly on past accomplishments. Nothing can be built from heaven downwards. Rather, things must be built from the ground up, and the higher the aspiration the more intense your desire and authority must be. "Shogun" does not mean master. Master, however, includes the station of shogun.
Superficiality is rampant in our society, because men think they have done something special when all they have done is to stand on the shoulders of those that came before them. So they will tend to think that they are responsible for the propagation of the world.
The wise shogun knows better. There is no need for me to illustrate the words in this scroll. They are self-evident. A man of greatness stands on the shoulders of previous great ones permitting himself to see further than they did. He always acknowledges them, perhaps privately, but he acknowledges them. He knows that Heaven has graced him to build great things and to make great works. He acknowledges the Source of All both privately and publicly. He performs the proper rituals for the people to see him giving thanks. In private he falls to his knees in thankfulness that Heaven has seen fit to trust him with matters of wonder and awe. When Heaven sees his true worth, Heaven Itself will prevail upon him to accomplish more.
This way, and only this way, is to live in greatness. It is not a thing for small-minded men.
When a man has accomplished his goals it is easy for him to slip into the morass of three deadly attitudes — arrogance, conceit, and false pride. It is very hard for most men to avoid this, and it takes a great amount of discipline to control the personality problems that develop with great success. It is at this juncture that you, as the great shogun, will show your mettle and not permit self-flattery to develop.
To be impressed with one's own self importance is to invite flatterers to think you are permitting yourself to become more important than the work you have accomplished. This is the first step towards personal downfall.
It is especially crucial to the shogun in his maintenance and sustenance of power that he become even more ruthless and more demanding of himself and of his people. This is how empires are built and the ironfisted mind of the shogun must prevail, driving his people to ever greater accomplishment.
Future planned works must be based solidly on past accomplishments. Nothing can be built from heaven downwards. Rather, things must be built from the ground up, and the higher the aspiration the more intense your desire and authority must be. "Shogun" does not mean master. Master, however, includes the station of shogun.
Superficiality is rampant in our society, because men think they have done something special when all they have done is to stand on the shoulders of those that came before them. So they will tend to think that they are responsible for the propagation of the world.
The wise shogun knows better. There is no need for me to illustrate the words in this scroll. They are self-evident. A man of greatness stands on the shoulders of previous great ones permitting himself to see further than they did. He always acknowledges them, perhaps privately, but he acknowledges them. He knows that Heaven has graced him to build great things and to make great works. He acknowledges the Source of All both privately and publicly. He performs the proper rituals for the people to see him giving thanks. In private he falls to his knees in thankfulness that Heaven has seen fit to trust him with matters of wonder and awe. When Heaven sees his true worth, Heaven Itself will prevail upon him to accomplish more.
This way, and only this way, is to live in greatness. It is not a thing for small-minded men.
About the Author
Stephen F. Kaufman
I am an author and authority on management strategy, reality facilitation training, and a world-renowned martial arts master. I provide solutions that empower audiences and corporate clients to turn challenges by demonstrating definitive working techniques guaranteed to bring about advantageous results.
I am the author of the best-selling interpretations of Musashi's Book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu's Art of War, along with Lao Tzu's The Living Tao, The Way of the Modern Warrior, and The Sword in the Boardroom, which focuses on business management based on honesty, integrity and morality for contemporary negotiations. I speak with true understanding of the lessons taught by the ancient masters and focus on the immediate needs of groups. My work is considered essential study for individuals and organizations interested in progressive management/motivation development that includes life enhancement skills.
Acknowledged as a true Founding Father of American Karate, I was elected to the title and rank of Hanshi, 10th Dan, the most prestigious accomplishment in the martial arts world, by international peer associations in 1991. My martial arts system is recognized by leading world martial arts masters to be one of the most realistic warrior methods in the world. I have received countless awards and honors for my work, including the Platinum Lifetime Achievement and Platinum Martial Arts Pioneer Award denoting 50 years of service to the arts by significant organizations. Visit my homepage at www.hanshi.com
I am the author of the best-selling interpretations of Musashi's Book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu's Art of War, along with Lao Tzu's The Living Tao, The Way of the Modern Warrior, and The Sword in the Boardroom, which focuses on business management based on honesty, integrity and morality for contemporary negotiations. I speak with true understanding of the lessons taught by the ancient masters and focus on the immediate needs of groups. My work is considered essential study for individuals and organizations interested in progressive management/motivation development that includes life enhancement skills.
Acknowledged as a true Founding Father of American Karate, I was elected to the title and rank of Hanshi, 10th Dan, the most prestigious accomplishment in the martial arts world, by international peer associations in 1991. My martial arts system is recognized by leading world martial arts masters to be one of the most realistic warrior methods in the world. I have received countless awards and honors for my work, including the Platinum Lifetime Achievement and Platinum Martial Arts Pioneer Award denoting 50 years of service to the arts by significant organizations. Visit my homepage at www.hanshi.com