Miyamoto Musashi, His Life and Writings / Kenji Tokitsu

Weatherhill 2005

Being one of the most famous samurai of all time, Miyamoto Musashi’s reputation has grown to
mythic proportions over the years, despite much of his life remaining a mystery. The undefeated
swordsman, master of strategy, calligrapher, painter, writer and martial arts icon, Miyamoto Musashi
was born towards the end of the warring States period. He took part in a great many battles and duels,
created his own unique sword style and wrote one of the best known and widest read books on strategy, confrontation and victory.

Many tomes about Musashi have been written, however this very well researched
and balanced book separates the facts from the fiction and casts a critical eye
on Musashi’s life, his ideas his art and particularly his writings. Written originally
in French in 2000 by internationally renown Japanese martial artist Kenji Tokitsu,
“Miyamoto Musashi, His Life and Writings” is by far one of the better books on the
“Sword Saint” and his translation of the treatise on strategy, Go Rin No Sho,
the Book Of Five Rings puts the historical and philosophical aspects of Musashi’s
writings into context. Meticulous notes on the subject provide easy to understand
explanations of many of the terms and cultural references. Color plates of a number
of Musashi’s surviving paintings and calligraphy add scope to the subjects many talents.

Contents cover Musashi’s early life, training and creation of the Two Sword Style, his
many duels, his later years and composition of the treatise on strategy, Go Rin No Sho,
the Book Of Five Rings and his death. Part Two covers Musashi’s writings, while Part
Three looks at Musashi and the Martial Arts.

This book makes the life of Musashi and his works accessible and relevant to today’s
world. For anybody having heard of Miyamoto Musashi, or the Book Of Five Rings,
this is not a must read book, it is a must HAVE book!