The Sword Master — I.J. Parker

In the streets of twelfth-century Kyoto, a homeless boy is brutalized and left to die. A selfless physician saves him but cannot soften his hardened spirit. Angry at the world and seeking vengeance against those who killed his parents, Hachiro rejects kindness and resolves to become a swordsman to avenge his parents. He succeeds beyond his dreams, but with fame comes trouble: every young fighter challenges him, three beautiful women want to own him, and the war between two powerful clans forces him onto the battlefield. He survives by his wits and skill to face a secret enemy who wants Hachiro's life. THE SWORD MASTER is a savage and moving tale of survival in a violent world.