The document is short—it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to read. It consists of 21 rules for life, characterized by extreme stoicism and asceticism.
Compare Musashi's philosophy in Dokkodo to his more famous work, .
A literal translation and analysis by Teruo Machida was published in the Bulletin of Nippon Sport Science University . You can access this highly credible version through the Nippon Sport Science University Repository The Book of Five Rings (PDF): Because the