Musashi is an adventure through historical Japan in the day of the Samurai warrior. Set in 17th century Japan, this story takes you on a journey with lone Samurai, Miyamoto Musashi and his followers as Musashi searches for spiritual enlightenment in the “Way of the Sword”. Following the battle at Sekigahara, Musashi finds himself unwelcome back at home; so begins his long personal search to give his life meaning and to rigorously train to perfect his double sword technique.

Along with our hero travels the one woman who has made it her life to be with and in constant search of Musashi and gracefully accepts being a far second to his love for the sword. As the lives of the characters intertwine, you will follow right along with them in their journey of love and honor. Musashi’s life shows how a poor country farm boy can rise and climb his way to the top of the hierchal ladder and gain fame and praise from royalty.

As you travel with Musashi you will find yourself reflecting and contrasting your own personal belief systems and family relationships. So different are the relationships in our modernized western world than those of Musashi’s, where Samurai would sacrifice life and limb without a second thought to honor his father’s name or take revenge upon his brother’s murderer. While gruesome and horrid at times, this tale is also a love story which has been strongly compared to a historical Japanese version of "Gone with the Wind". Painful and emotional, it will have you reading at all hours of the night pining away with our hero and his lady for them to again join together, only to part once more.

The end climaxes with a final battle as Musashi and his nemesis fight to the death as their followers and supporters hang on by a thread for the outcome to unfold. While this is certainly not a short read it is definitely a quality read which has made this reader a new Eiji Yoshikawa fan!! Enjoy!!