Enlightenment. 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. Musashi sets out for Nara intent on challenging the warrior monks of legendary Hōzōin Temple. But Musashi's growing feelings for his childhood friend Otsū may prove to be a fatal distraction in his match against Inshun, the austere master of Hōzōin's deadly spear technique!