Musashi

Gr 10 Up—A graphic novel biography about the iconic samurai Musashi Miyamoto (c. 1584–1645). Renowned for his two-sword technique, Musashi was a legendary swordsman, artist, and author. Iori Miyamoto, his adopted son, recounts his late father's life, from his humble beginnings raised and educated by a Buddhist monk, to his formative years, which focused on duels and his skills and reputation with the sword. Later years show his appreciation in arts. Near the end of his life, Musashi wrote The Book of Five Rings, a classic text on martial arts and military strategy that examined his life and philosophical teachings. Based on William Scott Wilson's biography The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi (Kodansha, 2004), this work includes much historical material. The detailed black-and-white artwork provides a strong sense of the era. Well-drawn facial expressions and body language convey emotions in the often wordless art panels. Duels are very brief, often happening off-panel and there's no gory violence. The author aims for "accuracy and subtlety." Pacing is deliberate, examining milestones in Musashi's life. The man himself remains enigmatic, shown speaking in only a few panels. Readers expecting only duels and bloodshed will be surprised by Musashi Miyamoto's disciplined, meditative qualities. This dichotomy of developing technical skills with sword as well as an enlightened and philosophical mind will appeal to fans of Star Wars's light-saber wielding Jedi and their Jedi way. Recommended for graphic novel collections where more literary volumes circulate.—June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA