Kojiro's cruelty contrasts with Musashi's reflective and selfless nature. The long epic (over 900 pages, abridged, in the English version) comprises seven 'books' detailing the exploits of Miyamoto Musashi, beginning just after the battle of Sekigahara, following his journeys and the many people who become important in his life, and leading up to his climactic duel with Sasaki Kojiro on Ganryujima (Ganryu or Funa Island). Reischauer, published by Kodansha International under ISBN 4-7700-1957-2. The novel has been translated into English by Charles S. It is a fictionalized account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of Five Rings and arguably the most renowned Japanese swordsman who ever lived. With an estimated 120 million copies sold, it is one of the best-selling book series in history. It has been re-released in book format, most of which are collections of several volumes, which compile the many newspaper strips. It was originally released as a serial in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, between 19. He wanders around Japan training young pupils, getting involved in feuds with samurai and martial arts schools, and finding his way through his romantic life. It follows his life after the monk Takuan forces him to reinvent himself as Miyamoto Musashi.

The book follows Shinmen Takezō starting after the Battle of Sekigahara. Musashi ( Japanese: 宮本武蔵, Hepburn: Miyamoto Musashi ) is a Japanese epic novel written by Eiji Yoshikawa, about the life and deeds of legendary Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

Yoshikawa eiji