Musashi

Book One - Earth, Water & Fire - The Novel: New Unabridged Translation

Eiji Yoshikawa, Alexander Bennett

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English

Tuttle
01 January 2026

Literature, Poetry & Criticism; Adventure; Historical fiction

A new and unabridged 3-book translation of Eiji Yoshikawa's bestselling novel about Miyamoto Musashi

the most famous swordfighter in Japanese history!

This is the first book of Musashi: The Novel, a sweeping three-book unabridged translation of Eiji Yoshikawa's bestselling masterpiece

Japan's most beloved historical novel. Masterfully translated for the first time in its entirety by Alexander Bennett, this vivid and fast-paced story reveals the exploits and inner life of a man who finds not only his true purpose but also his humanity.

Book One opens in the year 1600 at the Battle of Sekigahara, a scene of unimaginable carnage where Musashi lies wounded on the battlefield. After being imprisoned for three years, he wanders the countryside aimlessly as a vagabond, desperate to make a name for himself. He becomes a dueling Ronin

a swordfighter without a master. And while his destiny seems clear, to achieve it he must leave his old life behind.

By: Eiji Yoshikawa
Translated by: Alexander Bennett
Imprint: Tuttle
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 203mm, Width: 130mm, Spine: 38mm
Weight: 624g
ISBN: 9784805318416
ISBN 10: 4805318414
Pages: 576
Publication Date: 01 January 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Eiji Yoshikawa is Japan's bestselling novelist of all time. He published popular retellings of many Asian classics, however, his novelization of the life of Miyamoto Musashi is his most famous work, selling over 120 million copies. He was awarded the Cultural Order of Merit and the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Alexander Bennett is a Professor of Japanese History, Martial Arts, and Budo Theory at Kansai University. He is a Director General of the International Budo University's Budo Sports Research Institute. He co-founded and publishes Kendo World, the first English-language Kendo journal, and holds black belts in several martial arts. His published works include The Complete Musash and Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai.