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Description edit
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... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters edit
- Miyamoto Musashi: Born Takezō, a young man from Miyamoto village in Mimasaka province; fought for the losing side at the battle of Sekigahara, eventually becoming a wandering swordsman.
- Matahachi: A childhood friend of Musashi.
- Takuan: A Buddhist monk who curtails Musashi's violent ways and gives him his new name.
- Otsu: A young woman who grew up with Musashi in Miyamoto village, and later fell in love with him.
- Sasaki Kojirō: Known also by his fighting name of Ganryū; the weapons master of the Hosokawa clan, and Musashi's greatest rival.
- Ogin: Musashi's older sister.
- Osugi: Mother of Matahachi.
- Fuchikawa Gonroku: Named uncle Gon.
- Oko: Women that helps Takezo and Matahachi hiding and recovering after the battle of Shekigahara.
- Akemi: Daughter of Oko.
- Tsujikaze Kohei: Brother of a bandid Musashi killed.
- Baiken Shishido: Master of the Ball and chain sickle.
- Jotaro: Son of Tanzaemon Aoki. Later student of Musashi and companion of Otsu.
- Iori Sannosuke: Decendant of a Samurai. Second student of Musashi.
- Muso Gonnosuke: Descendant of a Samurai. Friend of Musashi and later teacher of Iori Sannosuke.
- Gion Toji: One of the ten Swordsmen of the Yoshioka school.
- Daizo: Herbalists
- Gudo: Zen master
- Hon'ami Koetsu: Sword grinder, friend and helper of Musashi.
- Nagaoka Sado: Vasall of Hosokawa Tadaokis. Later teacher of Iori Sannosuke.
- Tanzaemon Aoki: Father of Jotaro, Musashis first student. Was in charge of Takezos capture and keen on Otsu.
- Takezo: Former name of Musashi.
- Ganryu: Other name of Sasaki Kojiro
Quotes edit
-
“How many men are there whose merit endures after the blossoms have faded and died?”
Yoshino -
“'I wouldn't call Musashi ordinary.''But he is. That's what's extraordinary about him. He's not content with relying on whatever natural gifts he may have. Knowing he's ordinary, he's always trying to improve himself. No one appreciates the agonizing effort he's had to make. Now that his years of training have yeilded such spectacular results, everyone's talking about his 'god-given talent'. That's how men who don't try very hard comfort themselves.'”
Koetsu
Setting & Locations edit
This story takes place in Feudal Japan, right after the battle of Sekigahara. The people is facing a transition from one kind of government to another. Musashi travels through Japan searching for big swordsmen to fight, and for great masters, who can teach him the ways of the sword.
First Sentence edit
Takezo lay among the corpses.
Table of Contents edit
BOOK I: EARTH
The Little Bell
The Comb
The Flower Festival
The Dowager's Wrath
The Art of War
The Old Cryptomeria Tree
The Rock and the Tree
The Birth of Musashi
BOOK II: WATER
The Yoshioka School
The Wheel of Fortune
Encounter and Retreat
The Water Sprite
A Spring Breeze
The Hōzōin
Hannya Plain
The Koyagyū Fief
The Peony
Jōtarō's Revenge
The Nightingales
BOOK III: FIRE
Sasaki Kojirō
Reunion in Osaka
The Handsome Young Man
The Seashell of Forgetfulness
A Hero's Passing
The Drying Pole
Eagle Mountain
The Mayfly in Winter
The Pinwheel
The Flying Horse
The Butterfly in Winter
The Announcement
The Great Bridge at Gojō Avenue
BOOK IV: WIND
The Withered Field
A Man of Parts
Too Many Kojirōs
The Younger Brother
A Mother's Love
The Urbane Craftsman
Reverberations in the Snow
The Elegant People
The Broken Lute
A Sickness of the Heart
The Scent of Aloeswood
The Gate
A Toast to the Morrow
The Death Trap
A Meeting in the Moonlight
Stray Geese
The Spreading Pine
An Offering for the Dead
A Drink of Milk
Entwining Branches
The Male and Female Waterfalls
BOOK V: SKY
The Abduction
The Warrior of Kiso
Poisonous Fangs
A Maternal Warning
A One-Night Love Affair
A Gift of Money
A Cleansing Fire
Playing with Fire
A Cricket in the Grass
The Pioneers
Slaughter by the Riverside
Shavings
The Owl
A Plate of Loaches
Like Teacher, Like Pupil
Mountain Devils
First Planting
The Flies
The Soul Polisher
The Fox
An Urgent Letter
Filial Piety
Spring Shower in Red
A Block of Wood
The Deserted Prophet
The Talk of the Town
BOOK VI: SUN AND MOON
A Chat with the Men
Buzzing Insects
The Eagle
Green Persimmons
Eyes
Four Sages with a Single Light
The Locust Tree
Tadaaki's Madness
The Poignancy of Things
Two Drumsticks
The Demon's Attendant
Brother Disciples
The Pomegranate
Land of Dreams
The Challenge
The Gateway to Glory
The Sound of Heaven
BOOK VII: THE PERFECT LIGHT
The Runaway Ox
Hemp Seed
Sweepers and Salesmen
A Pear Blossom
The Port
The Writing Teacher
The Circle
Shikama Blue
The Mercy of Kannon
The Tides of Life
The Evening Boat
A Falcon and a Woman
Before the Thirteenth Day
At Daybreak
The Marriage
The Soul of the Deep.
Series & Lists edit
Authors & Contributors edit
- Eiji Yoshikawa (Author)
Other Contributors:
- Charles S. Terry (Translator)
- Werner Peterich (Translator) - (English/German)
First Edition edit
Original Language: Japanese
Publisher: Asahi Shimbun.
Country: Japan
Publication Date: 1935
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 1794
Publisher: Asahi Shimbun.
Country: Japan
Publication Date: 1935
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 1794
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PL842.O75 M513
- Dewey: 895.634
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Links to Supplemental Material edit
- Wikipedia article: Japanese novel written by Eiji Yoshikawa and serialized in 1935 in Asahi Shimbun. It is a fictionalized account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of Five Rings arguably the most renowned Japanese swordsman who ever lived. The novel has been translated into English by Charles S. Terry, with a foreword by Edwin O. Reischauer. Published by Kodansha International
Movie Connections edit
- Miyamoto Musashi (IMDb): 1954. Part I.
- Duel at Ichijoji (IMDb): 1955. Part II.
- Duel at Ganryu Island (IMDb): 1956. Part III.
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