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Musashi
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 53 hrs and 24 mins
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Musashi
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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.
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The Book of Five Rings
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- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 2 hrs and 41 mins
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 11
Setting down his thoughts on swordplay, on winning, and on spirituality, legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi intended this modest work as a guide for his immediate disciples and future generations of samurai. He had little idea he was penning a masterpiece that would be eagerly devoured by people in all walks of life centuries after his death.
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Great message from a great philosopher
- By Kimani Mwaura on 2020-11-09
Written by: Miyamoto Musashi, and others
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How to Be a Modern Samurai
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 9
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 19
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 16
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The Unfettered Mind
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 81
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What listeners say about Musashi
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- This123
- 2022-12-07
amazing.
it's like watching an anime unfold through words. amazing story. so many life lessons to be gained
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2023-06-22
Incredible story with many life lessons
A story that I believe has taught me many lessons about character, resilience, discipline and friendship. Truly a timeless story and a killer vocal performance by Brian Nishii.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Geoff Guich
- 2020-01-07
A fun look into Japanese History
I have been spending a lot of time recently on 20th century Japanese literature, and with that exploring large themes in Japanese history. This great collection of historical fiction brought to life the folk hero Musashi on many dimensions and the details and overall length of the story I think helped to give me a better understanding of early Edo Japan. The performance was excellent and they story thoroughly enjoyable, 53.5 hours well spent!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ryupyroa
- 2021-06-26
Incredible
The narrator was a little.. "soft", but it doesn't take away from the book at all. An absolutely phenomenal book and I can recommend it enough.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patrick
- 2023-01-23
Great story, voice acting not good.
Would be 100x better without the narrator impersonating a female voice, or a poor Japanese accent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Matthew A Fleming
- 2019-07-23
unbelievable. couldn't put it down.
loved it. couldn't put this massive book down. well read. very entertaining. it went quick. too quick. thank you.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dragana
- 2020-02-25
Fantastic adventure!
Loved story of Musashi,very much. For me was extraordenery expirience. Learn little of history of Japan.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Juan Malaver
- 2020-12-17
Outstanding story
Is really worth the time, the narrator is good ! Many lessons can be obtained from this book!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tristan
- 2024-02-03
A fantastic story
This was a great swashbuckling samurai adventure. I highly recommend for those that are interested in this time period and The Way.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kyle Landry
- 2019-11-04
fantastic listen
The book shows 2 paths walked by a normal man. Miyamoto Musashi dedicated to discipline, and studying the path to enlightenment. Matatachi, a cowardly weak willed thoughtless person who makes many mistakes. I can see the truth this book speaks about life.
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