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Common Knowledge

Canonical name: Yoshikawa, Eiji
Legal name: Yoshikawa, Hidetsugu
Other names: Kijiro
Birthdate: 1892-08-11
Date of death: 1962-09-07
Gender: male
Occupations: writer
journalist
Awards and honors: Cultural Order of Merit (1960)
Order of the Sacred Treasure
Mainichi Art Award
Short biography: Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, August 11, 1892. Hidetsugu Yoshikawa received only a primary school education. At the age of 18 he became interested in Haiku. In 1914 he released the novel "Tale of Enoshima" winning his first award. He was sponsored by Kodansha and in 1921 he joined Maiyu Shimbum newspaper and he published serializations. In 1923 he married Yasu Akazawa and in the following years he wrote various stories which were published by Kodansha. He had a total of 19 psuedonyms before settling on Eiji Yoshikawa and after writing the "Road of Naruto" his name became more well known. His writing styles changed over the years, in 1930 his style become more personal but in 1935 he wrote "Musashi" which settled his style of historical adventures. In 1937 when the war the China began he was sent in as a reporter of the war. During this he remarried to Fumiko Ikedo and continued writing novels with more inspiration from Chinese culture. When the war ended he retired to Yoshino and lived a quiet life. His last work was "A Private Record of the Pacific Was" in 1958. He died from cancer complications on September 7, 1962.
Cause of death: cancer
Nationality: Japan
Birthplace: Kanagawa prefecture, Japan
Place of death: Tokyo, Japan
Associated Place (for map): Japan

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85 reviews

Cecrow 614 reviews

Musashi III - The Way of the Sword by Eiji Yoshikawa

Musashi is Japan's "Gone with the Wind" for scope, size, status and content. It is a Japanese historical fiction epic written in the 1930s, celebrating the samurai mystique without becoming overly melodramatic about it. Many of its characters, including Musashi himself, are drawn from life. Unlike the heroes of western fiction, these are refreshingly sensitive to shame and conscious of responsibility. It's lightweight fast-paced fare that relies on dialogue, action and humour. My copy is the show more 1980s American paperback edition, published in five parts.

In part three, Musashi's growth is more evident as he begins to appreciate a broader range of powers besides those of the sword. It is his steady growth and how he learns that really drives the plot, since there's no way to imagine he doesn't win in the end. Consequently the Yoshioka school begins to remind me of a gambling addict that doesn't know when to walk away from the table. The well portrayed setting, random bits of humour and secondary plots provide plenty of fuel to keep things interesting. show less

Mar 27, 20261 other review

Cecrow 614 reviews

Musashi II - The Art of War by Eiji Yoshikawa

Musashi is Japan's "Gone with the Wind" for scope, size, status and content. It is a Japanese historical fiction epic written in the 1930s, celebrating the samurai mystique without becoming overly melodramatic about it. Many of its characters, including Musashi himself, are drawn from life. Unlike the heroes of western fiction, these are refreshingly sensitive to shame and conscious of responsibility. It's lightweight fast-paced fare that relies on dialogue, action and humour. My copy is the show more 1980s American paperback edition, published in five parts.

In part two, Musashi's fervent desire to prove his skills becomes obnoxious to guests who only wish him well, proving that true wisdom still lies beyond his grasp. Greater illumination is shed on the difference the Tokugawa Shogunate is making to society, as the contrast between samurai and the merchant class becomes a more level playing field. By the end of this part Musashi has at least progressed to the point where he seems satisfied to defeat his rivals without killing them. show less

Mar 16, 20263 other reviews

Cecrow 614 reviews

Musashi IV - The Bushido Code by Eiji Yoshikawa

Musashi is Japan's "Gone with the Wind" for scope, size, status and content. It is a Japanese historical fiction epic written in the 1930s, celebrating the samurai mystique without becoming overly melodramatic about it. Many of its characters, including Musashi himself, are drawn from life. Unlike the heroes of western fiction, these are refreshingly sensitive to shame and conscious of responsibility. It's lightweight fast-paced fare that relies on dialogue, action and humour. My copy is the show more 1980s American paperback edition, published in five parts.

In part four Musashi's wisdom grows by leaps and bounds, heralded by his realizing his past foolishness and how very far he has yet to go. Whereas the early parts had me wondering whether this reading was actually worthwhile, now I'm fully invested in the journey. Things are coming to a head between Musashi and his nemesis. The switch to the Edo setting has also added interest, expanding the number of important players in Musashi's life and providing even more insight into 17th century Japan. show less

Apr 6, 20262 other reviews

rkosarko 116 reviews

Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa

It didn't need to be as long as it was, and it's pretty clear looking back that it was written to be serialized. I think the Kodansha version I have is abridged, even? Still 900+ pages. Plot threads sometimes disappear for hundreds of pages at a time, sometimes but not always to return. Musashi is absolutely horrible to the young kid who begs to become his apprentice. Musashi is a liar, a cheat, plays very dirty with his opponents, and in general doesn't at all act like most people would show more expect a Samurai to act.

I also finished this massive doorstopper in less than a week because I could not put it down - whenever I was forced to, I was thinking about when I would be able to pick it back up and keep going. Just endlessly fascinating and engrossing, start to finish, flaws and all. show less

Apr 16, 202525 other reviews

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