BOOK BRIEF

Musashi

Eiji Yoshikawa
Guide cover placeholder

Musashi

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1935

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Eiji Yoshikawa

Musashi

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1935
Book Details
Pages

970

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 17th century

Publication Year

1935

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa follows the journey of Miyamoto Musashi, a person who evolves from a reckless youth into a revered samurai. The narrative captures Musashi's rigorous path to self-discipline, martial mastery, and wisdom, while depicting Japan's historical and cultural landscape during the early 1600s.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Eiji Yoshikawa's Musashi is widely celebrated for its compelling storytelling and vivid portrayal of the legendary samurai. Reviewers praise its rich historical detail and engaging character development. Some critics find the pacing slow at times and the translation occasionally uneven. Overall, it's highly recommended for fans of historical epics, though the length may be daunting for some readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Musashi?

Readers who enjoy Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa are typically fans of historical fiction, particularly Japanese history. Comparable to those captivated by James Clavell's Shōgun or Haruki Murakami’s works, these readers appreciate richly detailed narratives, skillful character development, and epic adventures set in feudal Japan.

Fun Facts

Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa was originally serialized between 1935 and 1939 in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, capturing the ongoing interest and engagement of readers over a four-year period.

The novel is a fictionalized account inspired by the real-life samurai Miyamoto Musashi, who is renowned for his undefeated record in his 61 duels.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

Eiji Yoshikawa's portrayal of Musashi emphasizes not just martial prowess but also the philosophical journey towards self-perfection and the way of the samurai, resonating with both historical and philosophical elements of Japanese culture.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

Book Details
Pages

970

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 17th century

Publication Year

1935

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!