He is supremely successful in his encounters, but in the Art of War he perceives. 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. 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. When he is set free again, he rejects the position of samurai and for th e next several years pursues his goal relentlessly, looking neither to left nor to right. During three y ears of solitary confinement, he delves into the classics of Japan and Chin a. The lovely Otsu, seeing in Musashi her ideal of manliness, frees him from h is tortuous punishment, but he is recaptured and imprisoned. On his way home, he commits a rash act, becomes a fugitive and brings life in his own village to a stan dstill-until he is captured by a weaponless Zen monk. Chronicling the tale of legendary Japanese sword saint, Miyamoto Musashi, Vagabond is a visually stunning interpretation of 16th century Japan and the interplay of iconic samurai of the era, perfectly capturing moments of visceral violence, serene scenery, and deep introspection. Lured to the great Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 by the hope of becoming a samurai-without really knowing what it meant-he regain s consciousness after the battle to find himself lying defeated, dazed and wounded among thousands of the dead and dying.

Miyamoto Musashi was the child of an era when Japan was emerging from decad es of civil strife. The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swords man. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition.

Musashi by eiji yoshikawa