For centuries, martial arts have been associated in Asia with wisdom traditions and esoteric currents. The military and strategic classics of ancient China denote a clear Taoist influence, while the Japanese warrior code, the Bushido or the path of the samurai, owes much to Zen. The soul of the samurai is an exquisite compilation of three classic Bushido Zen: "Martial arts: The book of family traditions" by Yagyu Munenori, "The inscrutable subtlety of unchanging wisdom" by Takuan Soho and "The sword without a rival", by the same author. Thomas Cleary, one of the main interpreters of Japanese culture, presents a modern and accessible translation to the general public, while offering entertaining and instructive explanations about the symbolisms of Zen teaching, the art of fencing or its practical applications in our contemporary society.