Miyamoto Musashi The Life Story of The Greatest Swordsman

Duels in early 17th-century Japan were often fatal. Not only did Musashi risk his life during his various duels, he also served in several battles. He wrote in A Book of Five Rings ,. In my strategy, the training for killing enemies is by way of many contests, fighting for survival, discovering the meaning of life and death, learning the Way of the sword, judging the strength of attacks and understanding the Way of the 'edge and ridge' of the sword.

In Musashi's most famous duel, he faced off against Sasaki Kojiro , also known as the Demon of the West. Kojiro was the ideal samurai in many ways: Kojiro and the officials sent to observe the fight were left waiting for hours. Making opponents wait was a psychological tactic integral to Musashi's battle strategy.

He is said to have cast aside his sheath in anger, to which Musashi responded, "If you have no more use for your sheath, you are already dead. When the year-old Musashi challenged him, he didn't take the boy seriously. He Was Undefeated In 60 Duels. How is the code reflected in Japanese society today? When I first came to live in Japan in the 60's, I was impressed how totally dedicated and loyal people were to the companies where they were employed.

When I eventually understood the words samurai and saburau, it started to make sense. While these men women would usually not stay long with a company, giving up work for marriage did not carry swords of course, they seemed to embody that old samurai sense of service, duty, loyalty and even pride. This may sound strange in our own "me first" culture, but it impressed me that the company had sort of taken the place of a feudal lord, and that the stipend of the samurai had become the salary of the white-collar worker.

M That is on the societal level. On an individual level, I have often felt that Japanese have a strong resolution, perhaps from this cultural background of Bushido, to go through problems rather than around them. Persistence and patience developed from self-discipline? Hardcover , pages. Published August 13th by Kodansha first published August 11th To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about The Lone Samurai , please sign up. Lists with This Book. Dec 22, Parrish Lantern rated it it was amazing Shelves: It is difficult to imagine another character from either history or literature who has captured the imagination of a people.

Miyamoto Musashi did not change the politics or shape events in Japanese history. Nor did he write a work that would affect a genre of literature or poems that would become classics. Yet there is something at the heart of his story that has commanded the attention of the Japanese people and others who have heard it. The story as told in any one iteration — any play, movie, It is difficult to imagine another character from either history or literature who has captured the imagination of a people.

The story as told in any one iteration — any play, movie, novel or comic book is never definitive enough. The story of Musashi, even in its paucity of facts, is much too large to fit once and for all in any single package. After the age of thirty although he still fought - he chose to no longer kill or harm his opponents, he merely blocked, thwarted and demonstrated the weaknesses in their style of swordplay, until they gave up and understood that he was the better swordsman.

Musashi was active during a period called the Kyoto Renaissance — after suffering a disastrous years of internal conflict, with ancient temples, artwork and libraries lost for all time. Japan was brought back to unification and with it a path to peace and following that peace came economic prosperity and a renewed blossoming of the arts in almost every arena.

This flourishing reached across all facets of Japanese culture, raising to greater heights everything from castle architecture and classical poetry through to the martial arts, with new schools hanging up their shingles all over Japan; this was also the period when the Tea Ceremony reached its zenith.

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The Book of Earth chapter serves as an introduction, and metaphorically discusses martial arts, leadership, and training as building a house. It describes some basic technique and fundamental principles. The Book of Fire chapter refers to the heat of battle, and discusses matters such as different types of timing. The Book of Wind chapter is something of a pun, since the Japanese character can mean both "wind" and "style" e.

It discusses what Musashi considers to be the failings of various contemporary schools of swordfighting. The Book of the Void chapter is a short epilogue, describing, in more esoteric terms, Musashi's probably Zen-influenced thoughts on consciousness and the correct mind-set. It says in the opening quote that he never influenced politics or shaped events in Japanese history nor did he write a work that would affect a genre of literature or poems that would become classics.

To that statement I would add one word — directly.

Indirectly his influence can be seen through in an infinite number of ways, through writers as diverse as Yukio Mishima, Takehiko Inoue, Sean Michael Wilson and Junichiro Tanizaki. The Life of of Miyamoto Musashi. This book is considered to be the authoritative and most reliable text on Musashi, since most of the previously known information is drawn on legends, half truths or fictional accounts. William Scott Wilson became involved in the life and work of Miyamoto Musashi, when asked to do a translation of The Book of Five Rings, this was to be a bilingual edition and after its completion he was asked to write a short volume on the authors life.

In the process of wading through the discrepancies in time and place and sifting between the various versions due to personal alliances etc. He was sixty two years old and was buried in accordance with his wishes, dressed in armour and helmet, provided with six martial accoutrements and placed in the coffin. When the abbot had finished his address to the departing spirit, a single crack of thunder rang from the clear sky. William Scott Wilson b. He served as a Consular Specialist for the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle --Heading the trade section and advising the Consul on political and economic matters.

He completed his first translation, Hagakure, while living in a farmhouse in Japan His first original work, The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi, was published in He has done extensive research on Japanese philosophy and Bushido, the way of the samurai. Wilson's books have brought historical Chinese and Japanese thought, philosophy, and tactics to the West in a collection of works that make him unparalleled. To be able to say that you have in effect co-authored with the likes of Takuan Soho, Yagyu Muninori, Lao Tzu, and Miyamoto Musashi, enables you to heretofore unseen bragging rights, yet this gentle and humble scholar refers to himself as "only a translator".

Mar 01, Chris Hopkins rated it really liked it. The book the Lone Samurai is about the life of Miyamoto Musashi. The author William Scott Wilson wrote this because he wanted to get a better understanding of the man behind the legend. Musashi is a legend in Japanese history because he is considered the greatest samurai of his time period from about the late sixteenth century to the early seventeenth century.

How you became a ronin was your clan was either destroyed by a rival, while you survived, or you were banished from the clan because of disrespect, or because of crimes. Ronin tend to be trouble makers for other samurai clans due to their tendencies to duel great samurai. This is done so that they may be noticed, and possibly assimilated into a clan as an instructor. Musashi was unlike most samurai in the period. Most samurai wore very flashy or nice formal garment with clean hair and skin showing their dominance through wealth. Musashi was described as unkempt, and tended to take baths when he felt like it, and yet he always won.

More importantly than his looks; it was his mind set that set him apart from other samurai.

The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi

Durring many of his duels he would show up late, but not five or ten minutes late; he would show up two to four hour late. Why did he do this? Another thing he would do was use an weapon that was on hand, and in some cases he would use a wooden sword against his opponents. During his many duels; he never truly lost to any opponent no matter how skilled the opponent he used a mixture of strategy and wit to fight his foes.

By doing this he became a legend among Japanese history. You will know the life of the arguably greatest warrior of all time. Jun 29, Ray rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Miyamoto Mushashi, Japanese kensai sword-saint , definitely one of the greatest swordsmen of all time. During his first 30 or so years, he fought in over 60 duels, loosing none.

He also took part in 4 major battles. In his later years he took up painting, sculpting, even writing his classic The Book Of Five Rings is still in wide use today. He eventually died in his 60s of old age. But perhaps the most impressive fact is that he did this all as a masterless, wandering swordsman shugyosha. In Miyamoto Mushashi, Japanese kensai sword-saint , definitely one of the greatest swordsmen of all time.

In medieval Japan, with it's rigid social structure, Musashi managed to live his entire life as a free man, occasionally accepting guest status under a lord but nothing more. The author who is the one responsible for translating Hagakure into English not only tells the tale of Miyamoto Musashi, but takes time to tell the other side when there are alternate accounts of the same event. He also goes into great detail on the artists and monks that Musashi met during his lifetime, and speculates on meetings that probably happened but were not documented.

As an added bonus, the book also includes an extensive chapter on dramatic work about the life of Musashi, not just films but Kabuki theater and the like. Feb 04, Craig Herbertson rated it it was ok.

Miyamoto Musashi - Wikipedia

The subject matter is fascinating, the research is sound. Unfortunately the style of writing actually appalls me. Wilson seems to have no control over the length of his sentences and, at the risk of being slaughtered over my own doubtful grammar, I confess I expected better from an academic.

There are certain basic stylistic mistakes which would be tedious to go through so I'll mention two: Wilson makes frequent use of the Gerund: For example, 'involving' rather than involve and often throws in The subject matter is fascinating, the research is sound. For example, 'involving' rather than involve and often throws in several verbs in a continuous chain. This leaves the reader breathless and, at times, confused. He uses redundant phrases like 'it is interesting' when the bald statement itself should be either interesting to the reader or not.

I could go on but it probably suffices to say that Miyamoto Musashi was a man whose art both martial and pictorial, express contemplative genius. While Wilson clearly admires this, which is commendable, he seems unable to employ the same principles himself. Jan 02, Evan rated it liked it. This book paints a picture of an extraordinary man from a culture markedly different from current day American culture. I admit that I don't know much about the Edo period in Japan and thus most of the names of the people that Mushashi encountered during his life meant little to me.

I suppose to truly appreciate the man you need to understand the times and the culture in which he lived. I came away with a sense of who Mushashi was, but much of the Zen Buddhist philosophy was lost on me. I felt t This book paints a picture of an extraordinary man from a culture markedly different from current day American culture. I felt there was quite a bit of unnecessary repetition of his character in the book. I got the point that his Way was to empty his mind of everything but the task at hand and to live fully in the moment.

He lived a wanderer's existence with no care to acquisition. He had no formal education and yet was very well educated and accomplished in the arts in addition to being an undefeated swordsman. I feel this book was more geared toward a student of Japanese history and culture, than just the curious reader who wanted to know what made Musashi so special and revered.

Jul 29, Mariana rated it liked it. A very interesting character, a skilled, undefeated warrior and a gifted artist at the same time. The book takes you to a different time - 17th century Japan - and follows the life of Miyamoto Musashi from the time he left home until his death. Dec 26, Reuben Rail rated it really liked it Recommends it for: If you like Japanese history, philosophy in action, and reading a true life story of a legend, then this is a good book. This man was amazing and whose impact is still felt today in Japan and the modern world.

May 08, Josh rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: The lone Samurai is based on the life of Miyamoto Musashi. It is a pieced together of scrolls and written accounts of his life as a swordsman, artist, zen master, budist priest, and hermit.

I plan on passing it off to a few friends to read and recommend it for everyone. Apr 15, Rahmat Romadon rated it it was amazing. Musashi is one of the great martial artist, philosopher, performed-artist, painter etc. His Zen's influences on his arts is amazing and very meaningful for application in life.

Nice book for collections. Apr 10, Grayson rated it really liked it. This is the biography of Miamoto Musashi; the greatest Samurai that ever lived. He was an artist, warrior, and poet. Even if this is not in your related interests, everyone will be astonished by the life this man lead. Jul 27, Teja rated it it was amazing. Feb 13, Cahyo rated it it was amazing. Salah satu biografi terakhir yg gue baca - dan akan sangat gue sarankan; the Lone Samurai - Miyamoto Musashi, karya Wilson.

Bahasanya sgt bagus terjemahannya jg , strukturnya menarik, ulasannya detil, tp nggak kehilangan kejelasan nya maupun juga tdk terjebak mjd bertele2. Buku tsb juga tidak terjebak ke salah satu sisi; tdk memuji2, tetapi juga tidak mencaci-maki. Akan sgt disarankan bila elo terlebih dahulu sudah baca novel nya Eiji Yoshikawa yg segede bantal itu tapi udah gue baca ulang 20x Salah satu biografi terakhir yg gue baca - dan akan sangat gue sarankan; the Lone Samurai - Miyamoto Musashi, karya Wilson. Akan sgt disarankan bila elo terlebih dahulu sudah baca novel nya Eiji Yoshikawa yg segede bantal itu tapi udah gue baca ulang 20x, hanya dalam waktu 3 tahun, hehe..

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My most fave book ever; pertama baca dlm bentuk serial di majalah Hai th an.. Tak dapat disangkal betapa besar nya pengaruh Miyamoto Musashi dlm membentuk jiwa bangsa Jepang modern spt saat ini, dan bahkan pengaruhnya pun juga terasa di dunia Barat. Musashi lah, tokoh sejarah satu2nya di seluruh dunia yg seolah tak pernah habis diceritakan dan diceritakan ulang; tentunya semua dg versi masing2 dan mnrt kepentingan sendiri2.

Tetapi dari kesemua versi tsb, tiba2 Yoshikawa Eiji menyodok dg novel Musashi, yg pertama kali diterbikan sbg cerita serial pada sebuah surat kabar Jepang terkemuka. Nama kapal lain nya adalah 'Yamato', yg merp nama kuno Jepang mungkin spt nama 'Nusantara' utk menunjuk Indonesia. Dari situ dapat terlihat cerminan semangat, harapan, dan pertaruhan bangsa Jepang menjelang saat2 yg sangat menentukan tsb. FYI, saking menariknya novel tsb, sebagian besar dari kita secara tidak sadar lantas menerima nya sbg suatu kebenaran; sbg sosok Musashi yg sebenarnya!

Hal tsb dapat dimengerti karena adanya kebutuhan mendasar kita yg scr psikologis merindukan sosok yg spt kita. Sosok pejuang sejati pencari kebenaran; yg tdk dapat diikat dg kenikmatan, kemewahan, dan kepalsuan duniawi. Sosok yg tegar, jujur, independen, dan gaung nya yg sayup terasa romantis..

Sosok yg karena kemampuannya bersosialisasi dan berdiplomasi dapat berada di mana2, tetapi sekaligus juga tidak berada di mana2. Apa sebagus buku musashinya eiji yoshikawa?.. Karena hukum dasar perbandingan adalah harus "apple-to-apple"; alias hrs membandingkan hal yg sama persis. Bila kita tela'ah lebih mendalam, akan segera terlihat bhw banyak kasus, atau bahkan sosok, di dalam novel tsb yg ternyata FIKTIF; guna lebih 'menghidupkan' jalan cerita. Akan tetapi, nah ini dia yg menarik; Yoshikawa Eiji menciptakan tokoh2 fiktif tsb dg pertimbangan teliti, dengan cara membuat personifikasi atas unsur2 dasar dlm kehidupan manusia, maupun berdasarkan prinsip2 Jalan Pedang Musashi.

Hal ini dimaksudkan guna mengisi 'bolong-bolong' yg terdapat pada diri Musashi sbg catatan sejarah. Dengan pengamatan yg penuh perhatian tapi tetap kritis, Wilson mencoba menelaah pikiran Musashi sbg seorang samura legendaris dg berbagai ide filosofis dan spiritual, yg masih sgt relevan hingga hari ini, sbgmn relevan pada zaman nya dahulu. Musashi menemukan kedamaian dan kebahagiaan sprititual dalam upaya pencarian cara utk menyempurnakan Jalan Pedang yg dipilihnya, dan akhirnya menyadari bahwa apapun Jalan yg kita pilij utk kita tempuh, pastilah akan menuju pada kesempurnaan.

The Lone Samurai bukan hanya sekedar cerita ttg zaman feodalisme Jepang; biografi tsb jg menceritakan ttg kisah seorang manusia dlm perjalanannya utk mencari jawaban, kesempurnaan, dan 'Jalan' itu sendiri.. Duel itu sendiri merp duel satu lawan satu yg paling terkenal dlm kehidupan Musashi, yg lantas merubah jalan hidup nya, dan kelak akan sangat mempengaruhi sejarah bangsa Jepang selama bbrp ratus tahun berikutnya.

Buku tsb disebut2 sbg saling melengkapi dg The Books of Five Rings. Atau disebut juga 'Konsep Bergeming' terjemahan Gramedia dlm 'the Lone Samurai' yg mnrt gue agak kurang pas - bergerak tapi tidak bergerak, berpikir tapi tidak berpikir. Singkatnya penafsiran pribadi gue mungkin dapat disebut sbg 'Just Do It', jangan kebanyakan pikir2 nanti gimana. Setahu gue, the Unfettered Mind blm diterjemahkan adakah rekan yg tahu barangkali ada penerbit yg merencanakan penerjemahan buku tsb? Sayangnya, buku tsb skrg sulit dicari; mungkin karena diedarkan oleh penerbit kecil dg modal kecil pula 3, exp only?

Kelebihannya, buku tsb juga memuat buku "Sejarah Keluarga" karangan Yagyu Munenori. Selain berisikan metode pedang, kitab tsb juga berisikan berbagai hal lain yg tak kalah menariknya. Lebih jauh, sbnrnya sih, Clearly juga merp seorang penerjemah karya2 Jepang dan Timur yg cukup terkenal. Tapi spt nya cara penulisan dan pemahaman Wilson jauh lbh menarik; just a though. Faktanya; Wilson merp penerjemah edisi bhs Inggris novel-nya Yoshikawa Eiji.

Tetapi pilihan gue tentu tetap pada Wilson karena alasan2 di atas. Dan walaupun gue udah punya edisi Clearly versi bahasa Indonesia yg ringkas itu, kmrn gue tetap beli edisi Wilson versi bhs Inggris. Mudah2an akan jauh lebih berguna Nov 15, Smiley rated it liked it. I'm not a samurai aficionado but I'm less than impressed by Musashi. Maybe I just don't get it. It seemed like his teaching was really just "figure it out yourself. Being a samurai and fighting is all about survival. In my mind, that's just silly. I mean, you don't HAVE to duel anyone. If you're going to challenge someone to a duel, I feel you need rules.

Otherwise, you basically just invited someone to their death and how is that better? I don't get it. Mar 15, Mike rated it liked it Shelves: This is an interesting topic, and a difficult book to write because of the paucity of hard information about the subject. The book is interesting and covers Musashi's life and the legend as well as can be expected. The problem for me is that it is written like a martial arts book, of which I have read many. As a biography it does not pull in the reader and make them part of the story. It is clinical and very 3rd person. There are way too many other people named rather than telling a story with a This is an interesting topic, and a difficult book to write because of the paucity of hard information about the subject.

There are way too many other people named rather than telling a story with all the characters in it. The difficulty for non-Jananese speakers is that so many of the names cited in the telling sound very similar to western ears and are hard to keep track of. Feb 12, John Majors rated it liked it. Musashi is one fascinating character. His life was completely dedicated to the art of the samurai, shunning anything that would compete or take him off course. So many life lessons to apply from his example - though certainly he was extreme in his commitment.

This is worth reading, but read the novel called "Musashi" first. Jun 14, Dalton Rimbert rated it liked it. More of a background of feudal Japan vs. Overall a good read, tied in some of his writings from The Book of Five rings. Would have preferred more in depth writings of his duels. Sep 14, Mahmoud Ishak rated it it was amazing.

Soooo long but worth every word! A great journey and a fulfilling story and bright author!