Vagabond (Vol. 12)

Description: Real-life figure Miyamoto Musashi was the most celebrated samurai of all time. The quintessential warrior-philosopher, Musashi authored A Book of Five Rings, a classic treatise in the canon of world philosophy and military strategy. But the path to enlightenment is an endless journey, and to get there through violent means - by way of the sword - makes mere survival an even greater challenge.

Miyamoto Musashi versus Sasaki Kojiro was perhaps the greatest matchup in the history of the samurai warrior. They follow different paths, but their lives intertwine heading toward their epic duel. For now, Kojiro finds himself in a new position as sword instructor to the powerful Hosokawa Clan in Kokura. Meanwhile, Musashi continues his journey while he is still coming to terms with accomplishing the impossible - singlehandedly destroying the mighty Yoshioka School.

Author Biography: Takehiko Inoue is the creator of one of the most popular manga of all time, Slam Dunk, which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. He followed that series up with two titles lauded by critics and fans alike-Vagabond, a fictional account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi, and Real, a manga about wheelchair basketball. Inoue is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Tezuka Osamu Culture Award and the Media Arts Festival Award. In addition to his work on manga, Inoue has worked on television commercials, character designs for video games, and is the founder of a scholarship to foster Japanese basketball talent.