William Scott Wilson

William Scott Wilson, partiendo de una visión crítica e histórica, desvela el desarrollo mental que siguió Musashi cuando este samurái inconformista fue asimilando unas ideas filosóficas y espirituales que tienen tanta validez en nuestro tiempo como la tuvieron en su epoca.EL SAMURAI SOLITARIO es algo mas que una relacion vivida de un periodo apasionante de la historia del Japon feudal. Es, sobre todo, la historia de un hombre que busca el correcto camino en la vida, y del fruto que arroja esa busqueda; es el retrato singular de un hombre de notable valor y determinacion.Musashi sigue despertando el interes de los japoneses y los occidentales que han descubierto nuevos ideales del samurai y del budismo zen. EL SAMURAI SOLITARIO es la primera biografia que aparece en castellano de este espadachin y buscador espiritual del siglo XVII, de su personalidad compleja y rica en matices, cuyo legado ha traspasado su epoca y su propio pais.

A vivid, multi-faceted portrait of feudal Japan and the legendary samurai who wrote the classic martial arts text The Book of Five RingsBorn in 1584, Miyamoto Musashi was the legendary samurai known throughout the world as a master swordsman, spiritual seeker, and author of the classic book on strategy, The Book of Five Rings. Over 350 years after his death, Musashi and his legacy still fascinate readers worldwide, inspiring artists, authors, and filmmakers.In The Lone Samurai, respected translator and expert on samurai culture William Scott Wilson presents both a vivid account of a fascinating period in feudal Japan and a portrait of the courageous, iconoclastic samurai who wrestled with philosophical and spiritual ideas that are as relevant today as they were in his time. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was about mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess--and it is this path to mastery that is the core teaching in his Book of Five Rings. This special volume includes supplemental material on Musashi's legacy as a martial arts icon, his impact on literature and film, and the influence of his Book of Five Rings.

The life of Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), Japan''s greatest samurai swordsman, is chronicled in this first authoritative, "lively and balanced" ("Library Journal"), English-language biography of the impressive warrior. Included is original artwork by Musashi plus Glossary, map, and Appendices. The Lone Samurai is a landmark biography of Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary Japanese figure known throughout the world as a master swordsman, spiritual seeker, and author of The Book of Five Rings. With a compassionate yet critical eye, William Scott Wilson delves into the workings of Musashi''s mind as the iconoclastic samurai wrestled with philosophical and spiritual ideas that are as relevant today as they were in his times. Musashi found peace and spiritual reward in seeking to perfect his chosen Way, and came to realize that perfecting a single Way, no matter the path, could lead to fulfillment. The Lone Samurai is far more than a vivid account of a fascinating slice of feudal Japan. It is the story of one man''s quest for answers, perfection, and access to the Way. By age thirteen, Miyamoto Musashi had killed his opponent in what would become the first of many celebrated swordfights. By thirty, he had fought more than sixty matches, losing none. He would live another thirty years but kill no one else. He continued to engage in swordfights but now began to show his skill simply by thwarting his opponents'' every attack until they acknowledged Musashi''s all-encompassing ability. At the same time, the master swordsman began to expand his horizons, exploring Zen Buddhism and its related arts, particularly ink painting, in a search for a truer Way. Musashi was a legend in his own time. As a swordsman, he preferred the wooden sword and in later years almost never fought with a real weapon. He outfoxed his opponents or turned their own strength against them. At the height of his powers, he began to evolve artistically and spiritually, becoming one of the country''s most highlyregarded ink painters and calligraphers, while deepening his practice of Zen Buddhism. He funneled his hard-earned insights about the warrior arts into his spiritual goals. Ever the solitary wanderer, Musashi shunned power, riches, and the comforts of a home or fixed position with a feudal lord in favor of a constant search for truth, perfection, and