Musashi
- Thread starter BowenStargazer
- Start date
Oily Dragon
Senior Master
The author (Will Wilson) is probably the top non-Japanese expert on all things Japanese martial art. He is Kyokujitsu-sho, Order of the Rising Sun.
This was his first book. He just finished a book on Zen poetry I've been meaning to pick up. Thanks for the reminder.
Chris Parker
Grandmaster
No, he is not. At all. In any way or measure.
William Scott Wilson is a translator who specialises in Ancient Asian texts, commonly revolving around spiritual and occasionally martial study. He is a historian, however he is not a martial scholar, martial artist, or anything similar. His translations do suffer from the lack of martial knowledge he has, as he emphasises the religious and spiritual concepts he is more familiar with, and lessens the military/martial context and influence on the tomes.
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of people who are much more expert on "all things Japanese martial art" as non-Japanese people... to begin with, Karl Friday, Ellis Amdur, Meik Skoss, Dianne Skoss, David Hall, Dave Lowry, Wayne Muramoto, Steve Delaney, Toby Threadgill, and far more. These are simply some of the most accessible.
Which is simply an award from the Japanese government for promotion of international interest in Japan. His particular form was awarded in 2015, and is one of the lower-to-mid tier forms fo the Kyokujitsu-Sho.
I have all the time in the world for Wilson and his work, one of my go-to translations of Gorin no Sho is one of his (it contains the original Japanese, modern Japanese, and his translation, so I can compare and contrast his work with the actual Japanese text), along with Alex Bennetts (probably the best English translation currently available) and others, so this is not me putting him down... but it does help to temper appreciation of his work with a realistic appraisal of his genuine expertise... which is absolutely not as "the top non-Japanese expert on all things Japanese martial art."
kevinsstelly
White Belt
I read this book! Great book with a lot of useful information!
My wife recently picked up the book Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa for me. It is next on my reading list.
https://www.google.com/search?safe=...qHwj-mOAxUZNmIAHVhICSwQyNoBKAB6BAgeEAA&ictx=1
https://www.google.com/search?safe=...qHwj-mOAxUZNmIAHVhICSwQyNoBKAB6BAgeEAA&ictx=1
I have been really interested in learning more about Musashi. He has fascinated me for quite some time.
Chris Parker
Grandmaster
Well... you won't "learn" much about Musashi from that book... it's a bit closer to fanfiction than historical retelling, with any number of events that, simply, never happened, and statements that are, at the most generous, fanciful at best. Fun story, so enjoy it, but that's where it ends.
Hyoho
2nd Black Belt
Its ok. But Miyamoto Musashi His Life and Writings (Kenji Tokitsu) is more comprehensive. he did travel around Japan for research and interviewed Imai and Iwami Soke.
Hyoho
2nd Black Belt
The is book pure "Fiction". His son Yoshikawa Eimei told me he was thinking of writing a follow up. A popular book to theme Japanese Taiga Drama on TV.
Would you happen to have any historical recommendations?
Hyoho
2nd Black Belt
Tokitsu Kenji, "The Life and Writings" But by all means read them all. Sadly books about Musashi's philosophy and the deeper meaning of the kanji he himself used to describe his actions are in Japanese. Imai Soke's book is nice but out of print.
Same Trick
2nd Black Belt
This one I thought was pretty cool
Miyamoto Musashi (TV Mini Series 2014ā ) ā 7.6 | Drama
Miyamoto Musashi: With Takuya Kimura, Ikki Sawamura, Teruyuki Kagawa, YĆ“ko Maki. After fighting at Sekigahara, Musashi loses friend Matahachi. Returning home, he faces persecution until meeting Takuan. Rebuilding himself, Musashi travels, training under sword masters and growing as a warrior.
www.imdb.com
Thank you, I will look into that book
