8/8/2019 15931614-Kodansha-Who-Was-Miyamoto-Musashi

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Dear Editor/Producer,

WHO WAS MIYAMOTO MUSASHI?

He was the preeminent independent Japanese man of his time. The history of this much-mythologized17th century samurai swordsman is a fascinating story of a man striving for an ideal on his own terms, inthe face of very difficult odds. The figure of Musashi has fascinated the Japanese for nearly 400years!his name and exploits are more widely known than many of Japans other historical figures. Tounderstand his story is to get a certain insight into the Japanese psyche.

Up until now, all we have known about this great man has come from fictionalized accounts: stories,dramas, novels, movies, and television series. Fans of the hugely popular novel Musashi (KodanshaInternational, 1981) by Eiji Yoshikawa and Musashis treatise on swordsmanship and independent living,The Book of Five Rings, have been clamoring for a work of non-fiction to sort out the Musashi myth for

almost 20 years now.

The answer is THE LONE SAMURAI: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi (Kodansha International;$24.00; October 2004) by samurai expert and translator William Scott Wilson. The first biography ofMusashi to be published in English, it is the result of meticulous processing of often-conflictinginformation and Wilsons expert use of original sources, culminating in the most accurate depiction of hislife to date.

I BET YOU DIDNT KNOW THAT . . .

Since 1908, 43 films have been produced about Miyamoto Musashi.

Fighting more than 60 duels from age 13 to 29, Musashi was undefeated at the end of his career,and was noted in this regard for his skill at handling two swords at once, a technique that wasdemonstrated by Tom Cruise in the film The Last Samurai.

By his early 30s, Musashi had fought his last sword match. After that, until his death at 60, hededicated his life to teaching martial arts, and a life of reflection and fine arts.

In nearly all of the 60-some matches that made him famous, Musashi used a wooden swordinstead of a metal blade.

In addition to his extraordinary talent at swordplay and strategy, Musashi took to designing castletowns with an eye towards defense. Within these castles, he designed Zen temple gardens.

In his time, Musashi was one of Japans most respected ink wash painters (suibokuga). Many ofhis fine paintings are still in existence and are displayed in museums and in private collections inJapan.

The ultimate Renaissance man, Musashi also excelled in calligraphy, sculpture, metallurgy,poetry, tea ceremony, Noh drama, and carpentry.

William Scott Wilson is available for interviews to discuss THE LONE SAMURAI. To schedule aninterview, please contact Kodansha America Publicity Manager Heather N. Drucker at (917) 322-6219 orvia e-mail at drucker@kodanshaamerica.com.