Mushashi

[Dave Fowler]

I've read the book of Musashi, and the 5 rings. I've also got the samuari movies, but what i'd like to know is, are there any books or stories about Musashi after his big fight?

[taganahan]

i think after fighting, he kept himself in a cave and spent his time writing Gorin No Sho. later on he died. it's more of a reflection of what he did in the past.

~taganahan

[DCPan]

See my last post (http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3492)

The book is in Japanese or Chinese though.

[Twobitmage]

japanese...

[Kenshin Axel]

Ask KhawMengLee,
He's always carrying on about the erotic tales of Musashi.

[DCPan]

japanese...

Actually, there's a Chinese Translation of the same.

[mystic_kendoka]

Ask KhawMengLee,
He's always carrying on about the erotic tales of Musashi.

whaaaaaaaaaat?

[D'Artagnan]

I wanna hear the Erotic tales!!!!!

[mystic_kendoka]

of musashi? probably involves 2 somethings, one short one long...

[fe-taru tora]

you know that is kinda crazy that they never say what he did after his last fight. he could'nt have just locked himself in a cave for like 20 years he must have done other things fought more etc....somthing !!!

[shotoblogger]

you know that is kinda crazy that they never say what he did after his last fight. he could'nt have just locked himself in a cave for like 20 years he must have done other things fought more etc....somthing !!!
There are now three books (all new) in English that are non-fiction accounts of Musashi's life:

The Lone Samurai, by William Scott Wilson

Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings, by Kenji Tokitsu

Shinmen Musashi, published by Buyu Shoseki Shuppan

I haven't read these yet, so I can't say anything about them. There is also an account of Musashi's life in The Shambhala Guide to Kendo, by Minoru Kiyota. This account is very interesting as the author says Musashi suffered from syphilis, compares him to Navy SEALs, and discussing his possible psychopathy. Kendo Elements Rules and Philosophy from U of Hawaii press also has a section on Musashi's life.

[fe-taru tora]

There are now three books (all new) in English that are non-fiction accounts of Musashi's life:

The Lone Samurai, by William Scott Wilson

Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings, by Kenji Tokitsu

Shinmen Musashi, published by Buyu Shoseki Shuppan

I haven't read these yet, so I can't say anything about them. There is also an account of Musashi's life in The Shambhala Guide to Kendo, by Minoru Kiyota. This account is very interesting as the author says Musashi suffered from syphilis, compares him to Navy SEALs, and discussing his possible psychopathy. Kendo Elements Rules and Philosophy from U of Hawaii press also has a section on Musashi's life.

thank you for the titles of the new books, I have read that kendo guide book I saw those exerpts,think that book was very well written .

[Twobitmage]

actually iirc he had eczima, not syphillis

[Hyaku]

A lot of these stories were fueled by descriptions of Musashi in Tanji hiken hiki and Watanabe koan taiwiki. Rumors range from skin infection, carbuncles on the head, not washing etc.

Musashi's constant association with Ogasawara, Honda and Hosokawa daimyo would argue strongly against these rumors which often bordered on the fantastic. It should be remembered that Japanese culture place extraordinary emphasis on cleanliness. Its doubtful if daimyo would have ever come close to him unless he was clean and presentable.

William Scott Wilson's - The Lone Samurai puts a lot of these rumors to rest.

[Zaphiel]

of musashi? probably involves 2 somethings, one short one long...
lol.....hahahahahahaha:confused2

[Hisham]

I ve read a book which title if i m not mistaken is "The lives of master swordsmen" ,you could find some interesting info about Musashi and others.

[devourment77]

this book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/477002942X/qid=1097767695/sr=8-3/ref=pd_csp_3/102-4459868-3517742?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by William Scott Wilson (same guy who translated the book of five rings) seems to do a good job at seperating the fact and fiction about miyamoto-dono's life...

[Hisham]

this book should also be interesting http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-1590300459-0 (http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-1590300459-0)