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Title: The Shogun's Scrolls: On Controlling All Aspects of the Realm by Stephen F. Kaufman, Hidetomo Nakadai ISBN: 0-8048-3122-X Publisher: Charles E Tuttle Co Pub. Date: May, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95

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Average Customer Rating: 2.33 (3 reviews)

Rating: 1
Summary: Kaufman's Attempt to Write a 12th Century Japanese Classic
Comment: Although this 102 page volume purports to be a translation of a 12th century manuscript written by a man called Hidetomo Nakadai for Japan's first Shogun, Minamoto Yoritomo (who in fact DID exist), it is in fact a fictional work penned by Stephen Kaufman. A man who admittedly does not speak Japanese and has no academic background to speak of, Kaufman would certainly be an unlikely candidate to "discover" a Japanese manuscript which has been "lost" for 800 years--and somehow present it to us in English. The fact is that no such person as Hidetomo Nakadai existed. There is no historical work called "Shogun no Rin" ("Shogun Scrolls"). Author Stephen Kaufman is also known through his previous two books as someone who does not mind altering ACTUAL historical documents in an effort to get them to conform to his desired meaning (he has done this with Musashi's "Book of Five Rings" as well as Sun Tsu's "Art of War"). He also tends towards the ignorant, referring to both Minamoto and Hidetake by their first names, a blooper nobody who'd taken a year of Japanese history or language would commit.

As there are a number of true century-old documents which offer advice on bushido to warriors and leaders and have been translated into English and are also much more thorough in scope and clearer in context ("Hagukure" and "Budoshoshinshu" come to mind), I fail to see why Kaufman crafted this spurious work in the first place! In his introduction, he mentions Machiavelli's "The Prince", (page viii) which suggests that this book of his may have been inspired by that work (I am inclined to believe this is his creative interpretation of that book). Kaufman also admits that "As a working philosopher and motivation lecturer, I am not interested in actual historical events..." (page viii). Nonetheless, Stephen Kaufman is NOT clear about the veracity of this book, never once warning the reader that this is not a work of fact, but an imaginative fictitious hodgepodge concocted by his active imagination and incomplete knowledge of Japanese history.

Generally, there is a belief common among martial artists (and others) that people should conduct themselves honorably. This includes being truthful and honest--NOT being misleading. There are undoubtedly a number of well-meaning people who in seeking an education in Budo, have stumbled upon Kaufman's book "The Shogun Scrolls" and trusting the author's words, taken them as historical fact. Whatever Kaufman's motivation in doing this, I cannot believe his intentions were good. What a pity that Kaufman couldn't present his own honest philosophical views, in a straightforward manner and in his own words, perhaps using actual historical events as his base. If only he could banish his ego to impart wisdom to his readers rather than leaving them misguided, ignorant, annoyed and confused.

Rating: 5
Summary: THE MARTIAL ART OF PEACE: Leading the Martial Way
Comment: A Twelfth Century Shogun, Yoritomo, suggests that Nakadai, a scholar and counsellor of political strategy, advise him in matters of conducting the business of the realm. This is the genesis of The Shogun Scrolls. Stephen F. Kaufman, Hanshi, 10th Dan, has brought to light an important and very readable work containing wisdom that will give the reader a tremendous advantage for controlling the realm, whether "the realm" translates into corporate empire, local, state or federal government or a law firm. It is a wonderful and important addition to martial art literature. Although usually found in the martial arts section of a book store, Shogun Scrolls is not meant to enhance one-on-one fighting skills. Nevertheless, it is clearly important to read if it is your aspiration to live the martial way. To be a leader that desires to keep order and live the martial way, means you must lead the martial way. Shogun Scrolls is your guide: it is a valuable lesson in management from almost nine centuries past. Every martial artist would benefit from reading this fine work; any leader or manager who opts to ignore Shogun Scrolls, does so at their own peril.

Rating: 1
Summary: Kaufman's Shogun Scrolls
Comment: At the time of this review this book has been in print for three years, and has the distinction of being the only book on the little heard of subject. Kaufman apparently uncovered references to the original scrolls while researching the Five Rings and the Art of War. The book is clearly a work of fiction. It does not even feign to be a translation. An 800 year old Shogun text appears out of nowhere and there is just one thin little paperback written about it. Curiously, Kaufman lists no references or bibliography. There is no honor in this Hanshi 10th Dan. Perhaps, he should read the books he was doing research on. So much for Joie code, etcetera.