<i>The Lone Samurai</i> is a detailed, fascinating biography of Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai known throughout the world as a master swordsman, spiritual seeker, and author of the classic <i>Book of Five Rings</i>. Respected translator and expert on samurai culture William Scott Wilson has created both a vivid account of a fascinating period in feudal Japan and a portrait of a 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 <i>The Book of Five Rings</i>. This volume includes supplemental material on Musashi's legacy as a martial arts icon, his impact on literature and film, and the influence of <i>The Book of Five Ring</i>s, as well as detailed notes, a glossary, and a bibliography.