Miyamoto Musashi. The Sword and the Zen (Value Collection Edition) (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: (Japanese) Yoshikawa Eiji
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: He is a legendary sword saint renowned throughout Japan, a 17th-century sword master, and a figure of legend from four hundred years ago. He, before the age of 17, had committed countless killings. At 21, he resolved to practice the swordsmanship, later defeating 66 masters in duels, ultimately achieving the highest realm of "Sword and Zen Unification." This realm guided him to victory against the exceptional swordsmanship and power of Kojirō in the duel at Arashiyama Island, relying on his spiritual sword to secure the final triumph and become the master of all. He was also an artist, possessing a refined side; at the same time, his unique romantic life could serve as a mirror for modern love. He is the protagonist of the novel—Miyamoto Musashi. This book is set against the backdrop of Japan's Warring States period and the early Tokugawa era, describing Musashi's arduous journey in this historical stage, from turbulence to tranquility, as he traveled the world with a lone sword, seeking the true essence of "Sword and Zen Unification." The book is divided into seven parts: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void, Two Heavens, and Round Brightness, narrating the tumultuous life of Musashi. At the same time, it is also a classic of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange in the era.