Hanshi Stephen F. Kaufman

Stephen F. Kaufman,Hanshi

Strategies for Everyday Living

A Founding Father of American martial arts. Author of the world-renowned interpretation of Musashi's Book of Five Rings. Sixty years teaching the timeless way of the warrior to martial artists, executives, and seekers.

Recognition · June 27, 2026Inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame as the:Spiritual Son of Miyamoto Musashi

View awards

The Library

Twenty-two titles. Over two million books sold.

  • Musashi's Book of Five Rings

    Learn strategy from its source — Musashi's treatise on combat, interpreted by a lifelong martial artist.

    View on Amazon
  • The Sword in the Boardroom

    Apply the wisdom of Musashi and Sun Tzu to negotiation, business, and everyday life.

    View on Amazon
  • Sun Tzu's Art of War

    Understand Sun Tzu's message plainly, without academic commentary or ambiguous metaphor.

    View on Amazon

Testimonial

In their words.

“Kaufman does an excellent job of translating the text. The book conveys a vital sense of physicality in its writing. This version pays additional attention to passages that discuss individual combat. Overall, Kaufman's translation comes out sounding precisely like it was written by the man he claims to be — one who has practiced karate for over forty years and studied the rings for another ten.”
Dr. Henry D. Smith — Professor of East Asian Languages & Culture, Columbia University
Read all testimonials →

About

A life in strategy.

I am an authority on management strategy, reality facilitation, and martial arts. My voice is rooted in the timeless traditions of the ancient masters, brought to contemporary audiences with clarity and force.

Read the full biography →