Based on the book "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa, Vagabond is an award-winning, fictional retelling of the life of Miyamoto Mushashi, often referred to as the "Sword Saint" - perhaps the most famous and successful of Japan's sword fighters. Shinmen Takezo is destined to become the legendary sword-saint, Shinmen Takez? also known as Miyamoto Musashi, perhaps the most renowned samurai of all time. For now, Takezo is a cold-hearted killer, who will take on anyone in mortal combat to make a name for himself. This is the journey of a wild young brute who strives to reach enlightenment by way of the sword - fighting on the edge of death.
Musashi, as he is often simply known, became legendary through his outstanding swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age. He is the founder of the Hy?h? Niten Ichi-ry? or Niten-ry? style of swordsmanship and the author of The Book of Five Rings a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.
The manga, Vagabond, won the Grand Prize for manga at the 2000 Japan Media Arts Festival, the 24th Kodansha Manga Award, as well as the Tezuka Ozamu Cultural Prize.
