SAMPLE-ADB: https://media.audiobookstore.com/c/m/cmk5/cmk5-sample.mp3 ----------------------------------------------------------- COVER-ADB: https://i.ibb.co/1Tk3hrg/cover-adb.jpg _________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________ Musashi By: Eiji Yoshikawa, Charles S. Terry - translator Narrated by: Brian Nishii Length: 53 hrs and 24 mins Unabridged Audiobook Release date: 08-28-18 Language: English Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. 4.7 out of 5 stars4.7 (4,461 ratings) Publisher's summary The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman. Miyamoto Musashi was the child of an era when Japan was emerging from decades of civil strife. Lured to the great Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 by the hope of becoming a samurai - without really knowing what it meant - he regains consciousness after the battle to find himself lying defeated, dazed, and wounded among thousands of the dead and dying. On his way home, he commits a rash act, becomes a fugitive, and brings life in his own village to a standstill - until he is captured by a weaponless Zen monk. The lovely Otsu, seeing in Musashi her ideal of manliness, frees him from his tortuous punishment, but he is recaptured and imprisoned. During three years of solitary confinement, he delves into the classics of Japan and China. When he is set free again, he rejects the position of samurai and for the next several years pursues his goal relentlessly, looking neither to the left nor to the right. Ever so slowly it dawns on him that following the way of the sword is not simply a matter of finding a target for his brute strength. Continually striving to perfect his technique, which leads him to a unique style of fighting with two swords simultaneously, he travels far and wide, challenging fighters of many disciplines, taking nature to be his ultimate and severest teacher and undergoing the rigorous training of those who follow the way. He is supremely successful in his encounters, but in The Art of War, he perceives the way of peaceful and prosperous governance and disciplines himself to be a real human being. He becomes a reluctant hero to a host of people whose lives he has touched and by whom he has been touched. Inevitably, he has to pit his skill against the naked blade of his greatest rival. Musashi is a novel in the best tradition of Japanese storytelling. It is a living story, subtle and imaginative, teeming with memorable characters, many of them historical. Interweaving themes of unrequited love, misguided revenge, filial piety, and absolute dedication to the way of the samurai, it depicts vividly a world Westerners know only vaguely. Full of gusto and humor, it has an epic quality and universal appeal. ©1971 Fumiko Yoshikawa (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Biographical Fiction ----------------------------------------------------------- Read By: Brian Nishii Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: 53.50 hours at 1.0x Speed 35.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 26.75 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2018 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781538589922 Quick Stats About this Audiobook Total Audiobook Chapters: 113 Longest Chapter Length: 66:51 minutes Shortest Chapter Length: 07:25 minutes Average Chapter Length: 28:21 minutes Audiobooks by this Author: 1 ----------------------------------------------------------- About this title Audio Format 53.4 Hours Unabridged Version ----------------------------------------------------------- Musashi By Eiji Yoshikawa Translated by Charles S. Terry Foreword by Edwin O. Reischauer Read by Brian Nishii Unabridged Release: 08/28/2018 Runtime: 53.41 Hours ISBN: 9781538589878 Purchased: 0 copies Category: Fiction/Historical Audience: Adult Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Language: English Summary A 2019 Audie Award Finalist for Best Narration in Literary Fiction and Classics The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi was the child of an era when Japan was emerging from decades of civil strife. Lured to the great Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 by the hope of becoming a samurai—without really knowing what it meant—he regains consciousness after the battle to find himself lying defeated, dazed, and wounded among thousands of the dead and dying. On his way home, he commits a rash act, becomes a fugitive, and brings life in his own village to a standstill—until he is captured by a weaponless Zen monk. The lovely Otsū, seeing in Musashi her ideal of manliness, frees him from his tortuous punishment, but he is recaptured and imprisoned. During three years of solitary confinement, he delves into the classics of Japan and China. When he is set free again, he rejects the position of samurai and for the next several years pursues his goal relentlessly, looking neither to left nor to right. Ever so slowly it dawns on him that following the Way of the Sword is not simply a matter of finding a target for his brute strength. Continually striving to perfect his technique, which leads him to a unique style of fighting with two swords simultaneously, he travels far and wide, challenging fighters of many disciplines, taking nature to be his ultimate and severest teacher and undergoing the rigorous training of those who follow the Way. He is supremely successful in his encounters, but in the Art of War he perceives the way of peaceful and prosperous governance and disciplines himself to be a real human being. He becomes a reluctant hero to a host of people whose lives he has touched and been touched by. And, inevitably, he has to pit his skill against the naked blade of his greatest rival. Musashi is a novel in the best tradition of Japanese storytelling. It is a living story, subtle and imaginative, teeming with memorable characters, many of them historical. Interweaving themes of unrequited love, misguided revenge, filial piety, and absolute dedication to the Way of the Samurai, it depicts vividly a world Westerners know only vaguely. Full of gusto and humor, it has an epic quality and universal appeal. Editorial Reviews “A stirring saga and one that will prove popular not only for readers interested in Japan.” —Washington Post Book World “Dramatic and exciting.” —Philadelphia Bulletin “A captivating work.” —Atlantic Journal-Constitution “The Gone with the Wind of Japan.” —Edwin O. Reischauer, former United States ambassador to Japan “Listeners will be enthralled by this classic tale of feuding samurai locked in battle. Narrator Brian Nishii’s performance is epic, giving life to the novel’s sprawling cast of characters…Yoshikawa’s imagery is steeped in historical Japanese environs, which alone make this immersive audiobook captivating. Nishii’s tone is often playful and fun yet provides the necessary gravitas to carry listeners through this long, rewarding adventure set in ancient Japan.” —AudioFile Reviews Be the First to Write a Review Author Bio: Eiji Yoshikawa Eiji Yoshikawa (1892–1962) was considered one of the best historical novelists in Japan. Among his best-known novels, most are revisions of older classics. He was mainly influenced by classics such as The Tale of the Heike, Tale of Genji, Outlaws of the Marsh, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, many of which he retold in his own style. He was awarded the Cultural Order of Merit in 1960, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, and the Mainichi Art Award. Titles by Author Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa audiobook Details Format: CD Available Formats : CD, Library CD, MP3 CD Category: Fiction/Historical Publisher: Blackstone Publishing CDs: 42 Runtime: 53.41 ISBN: 9781538589878 Audience: Adult Language: English _________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________ Musashi By Charles Terry and Eiji Yoshikawa The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman.Miyamoto Musashi was the child of an era when Japan was emerging from decades of civil strife. Lured to the great Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 by the hope of becoming a samurai—without really knowing what it meant—he regains consciousness after the battle to find himself lying defeated, dazed and wounded among thousands of the dead and dying. On his way home, he commits a rash act, becomes a fugitive and brings life in his own village to a standstill—until he is captured by a weaponless Zen monk.The lovely Otsu, seeing in Musashi her ideal of manliness, frees him from his tortuous punishment, but he is recaptured and imprisoned. During three years of solitary confinement, he delves into the classics of Japan and China. When he is set free again, he rejects the position of samurai and for the next several years pursues his goal relentlessly, looking neither to left nor to right.Ever so slowly it dawns on him that following the Way of the Sword is not simply a matter of finding a target for his brute strength. Continually striving to perfect his technique, which leads him to a unique style of fighting with two swords simultaneously, he travels far and wide, challenging fighters of many disciplines, taking nature to be his ultimate and severest teacher and undergoing the rigorous training of those who follow the Way. He is supremely successful in his encounters, but in the Art of War he perceives the way of peaceful and prosperous governance and disciplines himself to be a real human beingHe becomes a reluctant hero to a host of people whose lives he has touched and been touched by. And, inevitably, he has to pit his skill against the naked blade of his greatest rival.Musashi is a novel in the best tradition of Japanese story telling. It is a living story, subtle and imaginative, teeming with memorable characters, many of them historical. Interweaving themes of unrequited love, misguided revenge, filial piety and absolute dedication to the Way of the Samurai, it depicts vividly a world Westerners know only vaguely. Full of gusto and humor, it has an epic quality and universal appeal. The novel was made into a three-part movie by Director Hiroshi Inagai. For more information, visit the Shopping area ----------------------------------------------------------- Musashi (Japanese: 宮本武蔵, Hepburn: Miyamoto Musashi), also listed as "Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era" is a Japanese epic novel written by Eiji Yoshikawa, about the life and deeds of legendary Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. The book follows Shinmen Takezō starting after the Battle of Sekigahara. It follows his life after the monk Takuan forces him to reinvent himself as Miyamoto Musashi. 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 was originally released as a serial in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, between 1935 and 1939. It has been re-released in book format (first fully-compiled publication by Fumiko Yoshikawa in 1971), most of which are collections of several volumes, which compile the many newspaper strips. With an estimated 120 million copies sold,[1] it is one of the best-selling book series in history. The English translation was done by Charles S. Terry and features a foreword by Edwin O. Reischauer. It was first published in 1981 by Kodansha International Ltd., and Kodansha America, Inc.. Publication was assisted by a grant from the Japan Foundation. It was distributed in the United States by Kodansha America, Inc., and in the United Kingdom and continental Europe by Kodansha Europe Ltd.. Introduction 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. The novel has been translated into English by Charles S. Terry, with a foreword by Edwin O. Reischauer, published by Kodansha International under ISBN 4-7700-1957-2. 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). Kojiro's cruelty contrasts with Musashi's reflective and selfless nature. Musashi becomes famous during the course of the novel as he searches for both perfection in swordsmanship and in consciousness. Innovating Japanese swordsmanship, he invents the style of simultaneously wielding both the katana and the wakizashi, something unheard of at that time in Japanese history. Chance, as well as the characters' very different life decisions, give to the book a philosophical dimension that is revealed in its ending. _________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________ Cover About Copyright Contents Foreword BOOK I • EARTH The Little Bell The Comb The Flower Festival The Dowager's Wrath The Art of War The Old Cryptomeria Tree The Rock and the Tree The Birth of Musashi BOOK II • WATER The Yoshioka School The Wheel of Fortune Encounter and Retreat The Water Sprite A Spring Breeze The Hōzōin Hannya Plain The Koyagyū Fief The Peony Jōtarō’s Revenge The Nightingales BOOK III • FIRE Sasaki Kojirō Reunion in Osaka The Handsome Young Man The Seashell of Forgetfulness A Hero's Passing The Drying Pole Eagle Mountain The Mayfly in Winter The Pinwheel The Flying Horse The Butterfly in Winter The Announcement The Great Bridge at Gojō Avenue BOOK IV • WIND The Withered Field A Man of Parts Too Many Kojirōs The Younger Brother A Mother's Love The Urbane Craftsman Reverberations in the Snow The Elegant People The Broken Lute A Sickness of the Heart The Scent of Aloeswood The Gate A Toast to the Morrow The Death Trap A Meeting in the Moonlight Stray Geese The Spreading Pine An Offering for the Dead A Drink of Milk Entwining Branches The Male and Female Waterfalls BOOK V • SKY The Abduction The Warrior or Kiso Poisonous Fangs A Maternal Warning A One-Night Love Affair A Gift of Money A Cleansing Fire Playing with Fire A Cricket in the Grass The Pioneers Slaughter by the Riverside Shavings The Owl A Plate of Loaches Like Teacher, Like Pupil Mountain Devils First Planting The Flies The Soul Polisher The Fox An Urgent Letter Filial Piety Spring Shower in Red A Block of Wood The Deserted Prophet The Talk of the Town Book VI • SUN AND MOON A Chat with the Men Buzzing Insects The Eagle Green Persimmons Eyes Four Sages with a Single Light The Locust Tree Tadaaki’s Madness The Poignancy of Things Two Drumsticks The Demon’s Attendant Brother Disciples The Pomegranate Land of Dreams The Challenge The Gateway to Glory The Sound of Heaven Book VII • THE PERFECT LIGHT The Runaway Ox Hemp Seed Sweepers and Salesmen A Pear Blossom The Port The Writing Teacher The Circle Shikama Blue The Mercy of Kannon The Tides of Life The Evening Boat A Falcon and a Woman Before the Thirteenth Day At Daybreak The Marriage The Soul of the Deep End Credits ☕ ----------------------------------------------------------- MUSASHI By Eiji Yoshikawa Translated from the Japanese by Charles S. Terry Foreword by Edwin O. Reischauer Kodansha International Tokyo • New York • London Poem on page 477, from The Jade Mountain: A Chinese Anthology, translated by Witter Bynner from the texts of Kiang Kang-Hu, Copyright 1929 and renewed by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the publisher. Publication of this book was assisted by a grant from the Japan Foundation. First published in the Japanese language, © Fumiko Yoshikawa 1971. Distributed in the United States by Kodansha America, Inc., and in the United Kingdom and continental Europe by Kodansha Europe Ltd. Published by Kodansha International Ltd., 17-14 Otowa 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 1128652, and Kodansha America, Inc. Copyright © 1981 by Fumiko Yoshikawa. All rights reserved. Printed in Japan. LCC 80-8791 ISBN-13: 978-4-7700-1957-8 ISBN-10: 4-7700-1957-2 First edition, 1981 First this edition, 1995 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 www.kodansha-intl.com ----------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS Foreword by Edwin O. Reischauer BOOK I • EARTH The Little Bell The Comb The Flower Festival The Dowager’s Wrath The Art of War The Old Cryptomeria Tree The Rock and the Tree The Birth of Musashi BOOK II • WATER The Yoshioka School The Wheel of Fortune Encounter and Retreat The Water Sprite A Spring Breeze The Hōzōin Hannya Plain The Koyagyū Fief The Peony Jōtarō’s Revenge The Nightingales BOOK III • FIRE Sasaki Kojirō Reunion in Osaka The Handsome Young Man The Seashell of Forgetfulness A Hero’s Passing The Drying Pole Eagle Mountain The Mayfly in Winter The Pinwheel The Flying Horse The Butterfly in Winter The Announcement The Great Bridge at Gojō Avenue BOOK IV • WIND The Withered Field A Man of Parts Too Many Kojirōs The Younger Brother A Mother’s Love The Urbane Craftsman Reverberations in the Snow The Elegant People The Broken Lute A Sickness of the Heart The Scent of Aloeswood The Gate A Toast to the Morrow The Death Trap A Meeting in the Moonlight Stray Geese The Spreading Pine An Offering for the Dead A Drink of Milk Entwining Branches The Male and Female Waterfalls BOOK V • SKY The Abduction The Warrior of Kiso Poisonous Fangs A Maternal Warning A One-Night Love Affair A Gift of Money A Cleansing Fire Playing with Fire A Cricket in the Grass The Pioneers Slaughter by the Riverside Shavings The Owl A Plate of Loaches Like Teacher, Like Pupil Mountain Devils First Planting The Flies The Soul Polisher The Fox An Urgent Letter Filial Piety Spring Shower in Red A Block of Wood The Deserted Prophet The Talk of the Town BOOK VI • SUN AND MOON A Chat with the Men Buzzing Insects The Eagle Green Persimmons Eyes Four Sages with a Single Light The Locust Tree Tadaaki’s Madness The Poignancy of Things Two Drumsticks The Demon’s Attendant Brother Disciples The Pomegranate Land of Dreams The Challenge The Gateway to Glory The Sound of Heaven BOOK VII • THE PERFECT LIGHT The Runaway Ox Hemp Seed Sweepers and Salesmen A Pear Blossom The Port The Writing Teacher The Circle Shikama Blue The Mercy of Kannon The Tides of Life The Evening Boat A Falcon and a Woman Before the Thirteenth Day At Daybreak The Marriage The Soul of the Deep _________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________ ☕ _________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________