Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era

True masterpiece, unique in its kind, and superbly written. This is one of the few books which I've read in a long time that I didn't want the story to end. Despite seeming a dauntingly long and hefty novel, the story flows at a neckbreaking pace, full of surprises and clever plots at every turn. The book I would most compare it to is James Clavell's epic "Shogun", but besides the fact that both stories take place more or less in the same time period in Japan (beginning of Edo period), the comparison ends there. Whereas "Shogun" describes Japan from the eyes of a foreigner, and deals with high-court intrigues, Musashi's fictional story (albeit loosely based on events in his life including all his ill-fated duels) deals with the common day-to-day life in Japan, the peasantry, the samurai, the secret lives of Geishas and pleasure quarters, Buddhist priests and itinerant monks, of families torn by the everlasting conflicts that was raging between North and South daimyo factions at that time (Osaka vs Edo courts), the tribulations of ronin who were left masterless after the battle of Sekigahara and who were roaming the country incessantly in search of odd jobs or who would become evil doers. Such a man was Musashi, who being on the losing side of the Sekigahara battle, started a life long wandering journey throughout Japan, perfecting his sword techniques and becoming, slowly, the most prestigious swordsman of all time. Although the book only recounts 12 years of this journey, these were without doubt his formative years, and the characters he meets, loves or fights with along the way all edge him, little by little, towards achieving his goal, the Way of the Sword. Every encounter Musashi goes through is a lesson of life and death, something that even we, as readers, can apply in our daily lives centuries later. It's timeless advice. The second thing I thoroughly enjoyed about the book was the translation. The way the story flows, the vocabulary used as well as the dialogues are very well rendered to the point where I was actually believing the text to be written originally in English. There's also quite a lot of light-hearted, downright comical dialogues, which give the story a lighter tone despite the somber aspect and seriousness of the background story. I actually wonder if this is the work of the translator (by the mere fact that eastern languages are not always easy to transpose into western ones) or if Eiji Yoshikawa himself inserted those funny passages. In any case, this novel was a hidden gem that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for brilliant historical fiction or simply who wants to learn more about Japanese culture during the Edo period.

My favorite novel. My first encounter with the novel was a silver paperback I found in a convenience store at the Honolulu Airport in the early 90's. It was separated into five paperbacks back then. Eventually I purchased the set online. A few years later I bought a hard copy from a Borders in San Diego. I read this novel seven times before 2006. I introduced the novel to several friends. We'd have fun comparing people we knew to the characters in the novel. We gave people nicknames from the characters in the novel. It's a motivational, historical fiction, romance, samurai novel. I'm glad an edition is still available.

Possibly the best novel I've ever read.. While in the military stuck in Europe during covid this book gave me such a good read that I had to buy this physical copy too. I would even describe this as one of the few books I've read where if someone said it changed their lives i wouldn't look at them like they are challenged.

Inoue’s art on the cover is stellar and the story itself is timeless and incredible. Unfortunately, the paper used is very thin and see-through to the point of being able to notice the letters on the other side of the page you are reading.

This novel is long, and the pacing could be better, but I loved it a lot. After reading Shogun, I wanted something similar, and this was recommended. While it is different than that story, it has the same Japanese culture, bravery, mastery, and dedication. Plot & Story Structure: 5 Character Development: 5 Writing Style & Quality: 5 Emotional Impact: 5 Originality & Creativity: 5 Pacing & Flow: 4.5 Overall Satisfaction: 5 Final Rating: 4.925/5.0 (Exceptional - ★★★★★)

Fantastic book for all the right reasons: wonderful story based on a real person, fantastic history lesson, compelling writing, and fleshed out interesting characters real and imagined.

Read it after seeing the movie series adapted from the book (Samurai I-III) and the book was so much better! Every chapter is short and filled with a wide range of Japanese history, marshal arts philosophy, travel through little post towns, economic history and engaging characters. How dare they insult this book by calling it the Gone With the Wind of Japan as if Musashi were a ruffly skirted "fiddledeedee" uttering idiot. For some reason, the writing in the first two or three chapters was a little campy and slow, but stick with it as the payoff after that is huge. In western culture, we are used to the Errol Flynn prolonged sword fighting up and down the castle stairs, not the swish-headroll-next... but the later gets your attention. And while the different schools of swordsmanship and military science are discussed, this book is much more than a fencing tale about one legendary man. In fact, Musashi himself is not in a significant part of the book. I am still reeling as to how the film rendition of Ichijoji temple completely watered down and missed the conflict with the Yoshioka school, how Sasaki was not in film the complex (and somewhat evil) man he was in the book, the military, socio economic context (increasingly wealthy merchants, vs royalty vs the military factions) was completely lost in the film it took a toll on the impact of the story (book wins hands down). You don't have to worry about the movie spoilers because different people live and die in different ways in the book. Some of the translation was humorously dated- one would not imagine samurai insulting other with retro American epithets, but this was outweighed by the rich cultural aspects that were captured in vivid detail.Be prepared for a lot of characters and settings, they add to movement and conflict in a good way. I agree with the "best book ever" reviewers and ordered his Daimyo book because I liked this one so much.

Gary Jennings has been my high bar for well-researched yet totally compelling historical fiction for decades. Not once in all the time since have I felt that anyone came close to his level. Eiji Yoshikawa is just as good. The writing is clear, descriptive, and betrays no hint that the story was published in the 50s. The setting is obsessively detailed. And there's no hint of the social norms or history of the time being discarded in favor of making it more accessible or shoehorning a love story as Clavell's Shogun did. Also unlike Shogun is the doing away of thinly disguised historical figures of the time. The figures portrayed are named and they're wholly believable. The only complaint I have rests in the translation which substitutes more widely known English words like "governor" in place of "daimyo" instead of simply explaining the word to the reader... But these are just nitpicks. The only other possible downside I see for the average reader is the length. Yoshikawa wants you to linger with him on the sights and sounds and muse about the nature of things. And he takes his time to do it. But not once did I feel the story dragging or losing interest. If you love historical fiction and you have even a passing interest in Japan... look no further. I've already ordered every other translated Yoshikawa book I could find. But I don't relish thr search I'll be on after I'm done to find anyone else who can stand up with Mr. Jennings and Yoshikawa san.

I have read the manga based on this book and it was amazing. The book is slightly different and operates on a much larger scope. I enjoyed every bit and page of this amazing novel

Estória sensacional. A leitura é uma imersão pelo Japão do século 17. Clássico que deve ser lido por todos.

Haven’t finished reading but the books quality itself came in great

No more pleasurable reading than this novel, part fiction, part history on the life of Miyamoto Musashi. Would love to get my hands on the complete version that spans several volumes (approximately 4000 pages total), but this nice near 1000 page book is well written, and very hard to put down. The novel spans very specific periods of Musashi's life and skips other parts, but this might in most cases be due to the fact that they slimmed down a 4000 page book to this manageable almost 1000 book. For those reading on the historical part of the story, it ends as the complete volumes do with his fight against Kojiro. The balance of his life is not covered in this book, or even for that matter in the whole 4000 pages of the complete work. Even for those just interested in reading about samurai and feudal Japan, it makes for an excellent read. Those of us old enough to remember Shogun, this is a million times better than Clavell's fiction (although some parts of Yoshikawa's book seems to have inspired Clavell). And for the marital artists, there is so much to be discovered in this book, from points touching upon Musashi's own writings, his artistic endeavour and his martial skill and philosophy. And even though there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the life and times of Miyamoto Musashi, Yoshikawa fills in the story with well thought fiction that reads as historically accurate for the period in which Musashi lived. I recommend this book for all the reasons mentioned above, but most of all pick it up for the sheer pleasure of reading a magnificently written text on a legendary historical individual.

If there was one book I'd take to a desert island this would be it. He led the most incredible life in an era of constant danger & hardship under the rule of Shogun Tokogawa Ieyasu. A marvellous insight to life, love and constant striving to learn his skills not only with the sword but in every other endeavour including farming and tea ceremony. Constantly travelling he comes in contact with people from bandits to the Shogun himself. In japan he's known as the Sword Saint.