Musashi

De: Eiji Yoshikawa, Charles S. Terry - translator

Narrado por: Brian Nishii

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 the left nor to the 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 by whom he has been touched. 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 storytelling. 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.

©1971 Fumiko Yoshikawa (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great cultural history read with enthusiasm and excitement.

This classic was brought to life by Audible. The style of reading made crystal clear the author’s intent to educate the reader in the 17 century Japanese culture where the story of the iconoclastic Musashi provides the perfect backdrop to support this cultural history.

amazing!

Such an amazing story! It's really long but never boring. I have 5 words remaining...

Great story

Loved the story and the use of historical figures. I found myself researching people mentioned in the book, as well as marked locations to visit on my next trip to Japan.

Amazing Samurai story

I love Brian Nishii reading and all his different characters voices- what a great narrator.
Listening this 53 hour long adventures of Samurai and other amazing characters felt like watching a colorful anime in my head .
Japan has a great culture and this book gives another opportunity to feel, understand and explore it .
Highly recommended to sip some sake listening /reading to the last battle of Musashi. Kanpai!

My favorite audiobook

Musashi for me is the greatest warrior, although it is a historical novel with fiction, his teachings do get through. Who knows if Musashi was like the man portrayed in this novel, we can’t deny some truths and correct Ways.