Musashi: Book 1 - Earth, Water and Fire

A new and unabridged 3-book translation of Eiji Yoshikawa's bestselling novel about Miyamoto Musashi-the most famous swordfighter in Japanese history! Musashi: The Novel is the first unabridged translation of Eiji Yoshikawa's great novel, the top-selling novel in Japan. Masterfully translated for the first time in its entirety by Alexander Bennett, this vivid and fast-paced story reveals the exploits and inner life of a man who finds not only his true purpose but also his humanity. The story opens in the year 1600 at the Battle of Sekigahara, a scene of unimaginable carnage where Musashi lies wounded, having fought on the losing side. After being imprisoned for three years, he wanders the countryside aimlessly as a vagabond. Desperate to make a name for himself as a warrior, he becomes a dueling Ronin-a swordfighter without a master. Accompanied by Otsu, the love of his life, he faces off against the spear-wielding monks of Hozoin Temple and the fighters of the Yoshioka Dojo, among others. He wins easily, but his greatest challenges still lie ahead. And while his destiny seems clear, to achieve it, he must open a new chapter and leave his old life behind.