Katsu, Kokichi
(Editor/Translator: Teruko Craig)

Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 170 pages (1988)
ISBN: 0-8165-1256-6

Highly Recommended

Musui's Story is an autobiography of a samurai in the Tokugawa Period of Japan. In his book, Katsu gives a detailed description as his life from a young boy to his retirement years. The reader is given extensive insight into what life was like in that time period as a boy growing up to become a samurai.

The story begins with a description of how his family, how he was adopted, and how he was treated while growing up. From the beginning of his life, he was spoiled and came to believe he could do whatever he wanted. In fact, whenever given the slightest discipline Katsu ran away. On his long excursions as a homeless youth, he used the samurai training he learned at home to manipulate people and survive on his own. However, he always returned home.

Katsu was especially accomplished at the art of kendo. He would take every opportunity to show off his skills by challenging his peers. He was undefeated. He also was given many official positions in society. However, reflecting on his life, he discovered that those accomplishments were meaningless as he had always neglected the mental discipline of the art of the sword.

This book is highly recommended because it gives the reader an idea of the moral aspects of kendo. Musui's Story is a warning to all those who have only shallow victories to look back upon to find more meaning in their own lives. Katsu's life shows that no matter how many matches one wins, true mastery of kendo comes from the mind, not the sword.

Annotated by: Jane Conrad (February 2002)

Martial Arts: Iaido | Kendo |

Topics: biography |