The Way of the Sword (Musashi)

Category: reviews - books

I'm nursing a fever while reading "The Way of the Sword", the third Musashi book, very much in the same condition as Otsu was at the beginning of the story. But unlike her I could only wish for a more romantic reason for having the fever. She was pining for her one true love, Musashi, and her sorrow at not having him at her side was so great that it manifested itself physically in the form of a fever, while I got mine from overexerting myself from a recent school field trip and exposing myself to the virus (how banal can you get?).
Anyway it's a great read. i've been trying to get a hold of this book from the UP lib before but i got so lazy i didn't get the chance to read it then. good thing a new friend (a co-teacher in school) lent one to me. The thing is he only has the third book, so I sort of started in the middle and although it can stand alone, I'm more than curious now to read the prequel and get the lowdown on how a country bumpkin transitioned into the (debatably) greatest swordsman that ever walked Japan.

I've always been interested in stories about samurais and sword fights. the book brought to mind all the other writings that i've read that touched on the subject and couldn't help comparing.

I understand that Musashi, although a non-fic character, had been made larger than life throughout the years. most likely his story is more of a legend now than a biography, more fiction than fact. Still, it is a great read and what I liked about Eiji Yoshikawa's description of the battles is, it does not get too gory but still manages to be detailed. Also, the account of the fights doesn’t lose itself in the pomp of going into the particulars and intricacies of the names and histories of the fighting styles, rather he describes the fight as it unfolds, the way by-standers and spectators at that time would probably relate them. (kumbaga para kang nakinig sa huntahan ng mga usisero ^_~) An added plus is, women were not depicted as just helpless creatures. Most of the women characters old or young were either stoic or wily. Focused and driven mothers exemplified by Oko, Osugi.Gonnosuke's mother though not evidently admirable, has that certain irrefutable influence on the men that only powerful women can possess. the crafty and sly Akemi who manages to get herself out of scrapes into another is also a great example of girl power. as a reader you do not fear for her safety. even if she gets into a tight spot, you're confident that she'll come out unscathed. Otsu, in the beginning, seemed to be the epitomy of a damsel in distress. she starts out in the book pining for Musashi so much that i wanted to hit her on the head. it's a good thing she redeemed herself later on. she was only frail when she didn't know how Musashi really felt about her but upon knowing his true feelings she showed conviction that is so strong it can put any man to shame. Though physically fragile, she had a strength about her that is acknowledged even by Musashi himself, admitting that he was overpowered by it at times. Speaking of their relationship, I liked the delicate undercurrents of their love story. On the outset there doesn't seem to be anything happening between them but the force of each one's unexpressed emotions can be evidently felt.... really subtle, really restrained but potent nonetheless.

what else can i say? i loved the book. it made my stay in bed during my sick days more bearable.
i can't wait to read the rest of the five books, sayang wala sa National or PowerBooks, I've yet to check Fully Booked.
Anybody out there who has Musashi books I can borrow?