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Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era
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Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era Hardcover - 1997

by Eiji Yoshikawa; Charles Terry (Translator)


From the publisher

The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman.

Miyamoto Musashi was the child of an era when Japan was emerging from decades of civil strife. Lured to the great Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 by the hope of becoming a samurai-without really knowing what it meant-he regains consciousness after the battle to find himself lying defeated, dazed and wounded among thousands of the dead and dying. On his way home, he commits a rash act, becomes a fugitive and brings life in his own village to a standstill-until he is captured by a weaponless Zen monk.

The lovely Otsu, seeing in Musashi her ideal of manliness, frees him from his tortuous punishment, but he is recaptured and imprisoned. During three years of solitary confinement, he delves into the classics of Japan and China. When he is set free again, he rejects the position of samurai and for the next several years pursues his goal relentlessly, looking neither to left nor to right.

Ever so slowly it dawns on him that following the Way of the Sword is not simply a matter of finding a target for his brute strength. Continually striving to perfect his technique, which leads him to a unique style of fighting with two swords simultaneously, he travels far and wide, challenging fighters of many disciplines, taking nature to be his ultimate and severest teacher and undergoing the rigorous training of those who follow the Way. He is supremely successful in his encounters, but in the Art of War he perceives the way of peaceful and prosperous governance and disciplines himself to be a real human being.

He becomes a reluctant hero to a host of people whose lives he has touched and been touched by. And, inevitably, he has to pit his skill against the naked blade of his greatest rival.

Musashi is a novel in the best tradition of Japanese story telling. It is a living story, subtle and imaginative, teeming with memorable characters, many of them historical. Interweaving themes of unrequited love, misguided revenge, filial piety and absolute dedication to the Way of the Samurai, it depicts vividly a world Westerners know only vaguely. Full of gusto and humor, it has an epic quality and universal appeal.

The novel was made into a three-part movie by Director Hiroshi Inagai. For more information, visit the Shopping area.

First line

Takezo lay among the corpses.

Details

  • Title Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era
  • Author Eiji Yoshikawa; Charles Terry (Translator)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 984
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Kodansha, Cary, North Carolina, U.S.A.
  • Date July 14, 1997
  • ISBN 9784770019578 / 4770019572
  • Weight 2.6 lbs (1.18 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.6 x 6.09 x 1.6 in (21.84 x 15.47 x 4.06 cm)
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author


EIJI YOSHIKAWA was born in 1892 in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo. He began his literary career at the age of twenty-two. During his thirties he worked as a journalist while continuing to write stories and novels, reaching a large and appreciative readership through having his work published, often serially, in newspapers and popular magazines. At the time of his death in 1962, he was one of Japan's best-known and best-loved novelists. He received the Cultural Medal, the highest award for a man of letters, and other cultural decorations, including the Order of the Sacred Treasure. CHARLES S. TERRY, the translator, was born in Mississippi in 1926 and graduated from Duke University. He first studied Japanese in the U.S. Navy during WW II and after the war received a master's degree from Columbia University in Japanese history. Resident in Japan since 1952, he also received a master's degree in Chinese history from the University of Tokyo and has since been active as a translator of works on Japanese art, architecture and history. He died in 1982.
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Musashi
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Musashi

by Eiji Yoshikawa

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9784770019578
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4770019572
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Musashi An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era
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Musashi An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era

by Eiji Yoshikawa

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ISBN 13
9784770019578
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Musashi
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Musashi

by Eiji Yoshikawa; Translator-Charles S. Terry; Foreword-Edwin O. Reischauer

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Musashi
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Musashi

by Yoshikawa, Eiji

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9784770019578
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Kodansha International Ltd. Reprint. Hardcover. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. 05/01/1995
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Musashi. [hardcover].
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Musashi. [hardcover].

by Yoshikawa, Eiji. (Terry, Charles S.; translator).

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Used - VG+/VG+ dj. Book appears unread. No names or spine creasing. Meager cover shelf wear. A few faint, outer fore edge stains; no bl
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4770019572
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Tokyo/London/New York. Kodansha International. (1995). HARDCOVER.. VG+/VG+ dj. Book appears unread. No names or spine creasing. Meager cover shelf wear. A few faint, outer fore edge stains; no bleeds. Jacket clean/crisp, lightly scuffed/scratched, some edge creases but no tears Octavo. (8vo). xiv. + 970pp. Marbled gray boards, purple lettering, gray endpapers. Jacket art by N. Orai same as 'Stock Photo'. Ships USPS Media Mail in a box. Additional for Priority. ASENDIA eligible for international. First this edition 1995 stated. SECOND (2nd) Printing per print number line. Foreword by Edwin O. Reischauer. SMALL type (approx. 42+ lines per page) but printed on bright paper. Estate acquisition. Nice Copy!
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ISBN 10
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Musashi

by Eiji Yoshikawa; Charles S. Terry [Translator]; Edwin O. Reischauer [Foreword];

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4770019572
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