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Mushashi
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About the author
Eiji Yoshikawa
535 books778 followersPen-name of Yoshikawa Hidetsugu. Yoshikawa is well-known for his work as a Japanese historical fiction novelist, and a number of re-makes have been spawned off his work.
In 1960, he received the Order of Cultural Merit.
Eiji Yoshikawa (吉川 英治, August 11, 1892 – September 7, 1962) was a Japanese historical novelist. Among his best-known novels, most are revisions of older classics. He was mainly influenced by classics such as The Tale of the Heike, Tale of Genji, Outlaws of the Marsh, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, many of which he retold in his own style. As an example, the original manuscript of Taiko is 15 volumes; Yoshikawa took up to retell it in a more accessible tone, and reduced it to only two volumes. His other books also serve similar purposes and, although most of his novels are not original works, he created a huge amount of work and a renewed interest in the past. He was awarded the Cultural Order of Merit in 1960 (the highest award for a man of letters in Japan), the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Mainichi Art Award just before his death from cancer in 1962. He is cited as one of the best historical novelists in Japan.
In 1960, he received the Order of Cultural Merit.
Eiji Yoshikawa (吉川 英治, August 11, 1892 – September 7, 1962) was a Japanese historical novelist. Among his best-known novels, most are revisions of older classics. He was mainly influenced by classics such as The Tale of the Heike, Tale of Genji, Outlaws of the Marsh, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, many of which he retold in his own style. As an example, the original manuscript of Taiko is 15 volumes; Yoshikawa took up to retell it in a more accessible tone, and reduced it to only two volumes. His other books also serve similar purposes and, although most of his novels are not original works, he created a huge amount of work and a renewed interest in the past. He was awarded the Cultural Order of Merit in 1960 (the highest award for a man of letters in Japan), the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Mainichi Art Award just before his death from cancer in 1962. He is cited as one of the best historical novelists in Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 11, 2022
MUST READ BOOK!
This book have 1500 pages to read. I think I would need months to finish it. But I wrong! The story so exciting and make me read it whenever I have spare times.
Mushashi by Eiji Yoshikawa tell story about Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary swordmen from Japan. This book isn't a biography books, its a novel that use and take place Miyamoto Mushashi as center of story. The story itself told about young Musashi and his journey until his legendary battle with Sasaki Kojiro.
Beside exciting story about Mushashi journey, we also can find many life learning that I feel still relevant until now.
Nice book!
This book have 1500 pages to read. I think I would need months to finish it. But I wrong! The story so exciting and make me read it whenever I have spare times.
Mushashi by Eiji Yoshikawa tell story about Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary swordmen from Japan. This book isn't a biography books, its a novel that use and take place Miyamoto Mushashi as center of story. The story itself told about young Musashi and his journey until his legendary battle with Sasaki Kojiro.
Beside exciting story about Mushashi journey, we also can find many life learning that I feel still relevant until now.
Nice book!
Read
July 9, 2025I heard the entire series on Audi le after I read the 4th part without realising that it was part 4.
The good part of listening to the audio book was the correct way of pronouncing the names of people and places.
This is a book that some might complain as being too long and too descriptive but I found the book pretty interesting.I dont know what it was that held my attention- was it the way it describes Mushashi's efforts or was it his insights I don't know but it was pretty interesting.
The good part of listening to the audio book was the correct way of pronouncing the names of people and places.
This is a book that some might complain as being too long and too descriptive but I found the book pretty interesting.I dont know what it was that held my attention- was it the way it describes Mushashi's efforts or was it his insights I don't know but it was pretty interesting.
November 24, 2025
If you’re not familiar with Japanese names it will take some getting used to. Listening to the story I got the names Takezo and Takuan mixed up as well as the names Otsu and Otsugi. This happens quite a bit to me in fantasy novels as well, so I’ve learned to just read on and then I’ll connect the characters to their actions in a bit.
The novel is historical fiction. There are names and people that were real but actions that only resemble what happened in real life. In this I found that War and Peace and Musashi were similar. Though Musashi as a text is concerned with showing how we ought to be trying to follow a Way.
It names several different Ways in that there are paths to life that are correct. And that deviating from those ways leads to less satisfaction. Along the story line people who do their best to improve themselves and follow the Way are rewarded and those who don’t aren’t so much punished as much as they punish themselves.
I enjoyed this afterward more than in the reading of this. It feels like a story that allows you to see that even the best of us falter and that not everything works out as we would like but we can still improve. I highly recommend this book.
The novel is historical fiction. There are names and people that were real but actions that only resemble what happened in real life. In this I found that War and Peace and Musashi were similar. Though Musashi as a text is concerned with showing how we ought to be trying to follow a Way.
It names several different Ways in that there are paths to life that are correct. And that deviating from those ways leads to less satisfaction. Along the story line people who do their best to improve themselves and follow the Way are rewarded and those who don’t aren’t so much punished as much as they punish themselves.
I enjoyed this afterward more than in the reading of this. It feels like a story that allows you to see that even the best of us falter and that not everything works out as we would like but we can still improve. I highly recommend this book.
April 29, 2024
Entertaining to read, and insightful on early Japanese swordsmanship and culture. TRIGGER WARNING: Unfortunately, many scenes involving SA that seems unnecessary to the plot or character development.. Stopped reading near the end due to this factor. Mushashi is an interesting character, but you will get hooked on a small adventure or relationship forming that will abruptly end. Many times I was left frustrated with the characters decisions and actions.
April 20, 2023
The plot is amazing. Even reading the novel on my smartphone is still really enjoyable.
February 6, 2024
Top 3 books I’ve read. Osugi is on a tony sopranos mom level of unlikable
August 20, 2024
One of my favorites of all time. Re-read twice and read the manga version twice (even better as Vagabond)
December 4, 2024
Fantastic book on medieval Japan! The best samurai book you will read, hands down. A true history, told in a compelling, story-like, fashion. I couldn’t put it down!
December 18, 2024
It's very long but interesting if you're interested in japans most famous swordsman.
May 30, 2025
hands down the best book so far in 2025. Absolute must read
October 1, 2025
Excellent translation keeps the core of the work and internal dialogue consistent not lost in literal translation haze as some translation works tend to. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews