Work
Dokkōdō (1645)
As an Amazon Associate, QWOT earns from qualifying purchases.
About this work
The Dokkodo, or The Path of Aloneness, is a set of twenty-one precepts written by the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi a week before his death in 1645. Each line is a vow of self-discipline and detachment: accept everything as it is, hold no preferences, want nothing for yourself. It is a warrior's stripped-down code for a free and undivided mind.
About the author — Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584 to 1645) was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, and artist, undefeated in some sixty duels and founder of a two-sword school. Late in life he withdrew to a cave to write, leaving behind both The Book of Five Rings and the Dokkodo.
4 quotes from this work
People also ask
What is the Dokkodo by Miyamoto Musashi?
A list of twenty-one precepts on self-discipline and detachment, written by Musashi days before he died. It reads as the final distilled philosophy of a master swordsman.
What is the meaning of the Dokkodo?
The title means the path of aloneness, or walking alone. Its precepts counsel accepting things as they are, releasing desire and regret, and keeping a mind unattached to comfort or fame.
Is the Dokkodo worth reading?
Yes, and it takes only minutes. Its twenty-one lines are spare enough to memorize and demanding enough to spend a lifetime practicing.