Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings [Pehme köide]

Musashi, best known for The Book of Five Rings, is the most famous samurai of all time, and this biography critically examines his life and writings, separates fact and fiction, and gives a clear picture of the man behind the myth, as well as puts the historical and philosophical aspects of the text into context and illuminates the etymological nuances of particular Japanese words and phrases. Miyamoto Musashi, who lived in Japan in the fifteenth century, was a renowned samurai warrior. He has become a martial arts icon, known not just as an undefeated dueler, but also as a master of battlefield strategy. Kenji Tokitsu turns a critical eye on Musashis life and writings, separating fact from fiction, and giving a clear picture of the man behind the myth. Musashis best-known work, The Book of Five Rings , provides timeless insight into the nature of conflict. Tokitsu translates and provides extensive commentary on that popular work, as well as three other short texts on strategy that were written before it, and a longer, later work entitled The Way to Be Followed Alone. Tokitsu is a thoughtful and informed guide, putting the historical and philosophical aspects of the text into context, and illuminating the etymological nuances of particular Japanese words and phrases. As a modern martial artist and a scholar, Tokitsu provides a view of Musashis life and ideas that is accessible and relevant to todays readers and martial arts students.