Musashi: The Art of War

by Eiji Yoshikawa

Genres: Historical Fiction, Japan, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Historical

299 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Pen-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.

Reviews

[Абрахам Хосебр · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ейджі Йошікава
"Мусаші. Книга 2. Вода."

"Кажуть, що Мусаші боягуз, здатний лише уникати будь-яких викликів. Інші стверджують, що йому немає рівних у володінні мечем."

Друга книга семикнижжя про легендарного мечника Мусаші називається "Вода" і вона тут стає символом очищенням, намаганням змити ганьбу для Матахачі, численними обмиваннями в гірських струмках, де Міямото змивав з себе кров після численних сутичок.
Те що відразу кидається у вічі велика різниця між молодим генієм-бабієм Сейджуро з манґи і розманіженим боягузом роману. В той час,як Деншічіро є хоробрим в обох версіях.

"Дорогою Мусаші зупинявся перед знаменитими храмами і промовляв дві молитви: «Врятуй сестру від нещасть!» і «Даруй випробування недостойному Мусаші! Нехай стане найкращим у країні майстром меча чи загине!»
Досягши вершини пагорба, Мусаші сів на камінь і зняв солом'яний капелюх. Звідси відкривався чудовий краєвид на Кіото. Він сидів, обійнявши коліна, і мрії про славне майбутнє опанували його молодою душею.
«Хочу жити осмислено. Адже я народжений людиною»."

Також в книзі можна знайти пояснення чому легендарний мечник не носив традиційної самурайської зачіски:

"— Він високий і сильний? І не голить маківку?
— Так. Звідки знаєш?
— Я пам'ятаю, він одного разу розповів мені, що в дитинстві в нього серед голови виліз величезний чиряк, від якого залишився шрам. Якщо він виголить тім'я, як усі самураї, потворний шрам буде видно."

[C.E. Crowder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musashi is Japan's "Gone with the Wind" for scope, size, status and content. It is a Japanese historical fiction epic written in the 1930s, celebrating the samurai mystique without becoming overly melodramatic about it. Many of its characters, including Musashi himself, are drawn from life. Unlike the heroes of western fiction, these are refreshingly sensitive to shame and conscious of responsibility. It's lightweight fast-paced fare that relies on dialogue, action and humour. My copy is the 1980s American paperback edition, published in five parts.

In part two, Musashi's fervent desire to prove his skills becomes obnoxious to guests who only wish him well, proving that true wisdom still lies beyond his grasp. Greater illumination is shed on the difference the Tokugawa Shogunate is making to society, as the contrast between samurai and the merchant class becomes a more level playing field. By the end of this part Musashi has at least progressed to the point where he seems satisfied to defeat his rivals without killing them.

[Bjarne Gudmundr · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Musashi himself keeps you churning through the pages, the other characters start to leave quite a bit desired. The pacing, translation, and descriptions are all still superb. I just wish there was less sections of non-Musashi characters. Still very fun and a solid continuation of the first novel and I'll be picking up the third book to keep going.

I couldn't help but smile and nod approvingly at all of Musashi's shenanigans with navigating the situations he found himself in.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shogun is the definitive Japanese epic.

[Wesley Crawford]

I really like this book so far.

[Noreen]

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