At once a coming of age story as it is a cultural analysis and exposition, this story of how Miyamoto Musashi came to be known as such is simply wonderful. The pacing is consistent, the dialogue intelligent and true to character, and the setting shows both a knowledge of and a love for the history of Japan. The psychology of the characters helps illuminate what Westerners so often think they get but don't: the martial philosophy of the samurai. There is no hiding from the brutality or how the dedication to a stylized form of honor even in the face of internal questions. I can only hope that the author sees fit to continue the story.