Legendary Samurai Warrior Miyamoto Musashi

Famed Japanese Swordsman and Philosopher

Oct 4, 2009

The most famous of all Japan's legendary samurai fighters, Miyamoto Musashi, proves to be far more than an iconic double katana-wielding killing machine.

To say that Miyamoto Musashi’s life is the stuff of legend is to understate an existence that would go on to truly define the word. Myth and fact go hand in hand here to create an intriguing persona that literally leaps from the pages of Japanese lore - his stripped down approach to the complexities of life still resonating some three centuries after his death.

A Brief Overview of Miyamoto Musashi's Life

There is much debate concerning the facts associated with Musashi’s life. Data is gleaned from various historians of the day and the writings of Musashi himself; not the most objective of resources. A major work concerning Musashi, the Niten-Ki was published many years after the old master’s death. Written by the grandson of one of Musashi’s students, it too suffered from the passage of time and a blurring of the credibility line. His feats would rise toward the fantastic and his story would settle easily into the giant lizard slaying, superhuman mindset that is still present in contemporary Japanese storytelling.

Musashi's Legend is Born

1584 – In this Year of the Monkey, the legend of Miyamoto Musashi would begin to form. It would find its genesis in the province of Mimasaka, within the village of Miyamoto; a hometown that would eventually lend its name to the master swordsman to come. His mother is said to have died in childbirth, so setting a fractured adolescence that would see the boy alienated by his father and raised by a series of relatives. Custody would eventually pass to his uncle, a monk named Dorinbo, who would school the boy in reading and writing. History is unsure as to whether Musashi’s father continued to have any influence; reports suggesting he had, by this time, totally abandoned his son or was perhaps already dead.

The Duels and Battles of Miyamoto Musashi

1596 – The first of Musashi’s duels came when he was aged just thirteen against Arima Kihei in Hirafuku. Story has it that Kihei posted a public challenge which Musashi eagerly took up. News of this reached Musashi’s uncle who tried to annul the fight in regards to Musashi’s age and inexperience. It was negotiated that an apology would be made to Kihei on behalf of Musashi. This never eventuated, as Musashi went on with the challenge striking Kihei dead with his quarterstaff.

1604 - Challenges and defeats three of the respected Yoshioka schools premier fighters. An alternate historical account comes from the Yoshioka records in which it is contended that only one duel was fought, against Yoshioka Kenpo, in which Musashi lost.

1608 - Duels Muso Gonnosuke, master of the Shinto Muso Ryu School, famous for its development of staff fighting techniques. Shinto Muso Ryu tradition suggests that there were in fact two duels; the first being won by Musashi but a second dominated and won by Gonnosuke.

Musashi Fights Sasaki Kojiro

1612 – Musashi engages in what is regarded to be his most famous fight. His opponent, Sasaki Kojiro dying via a death blow from Musashi’s bokken or fighting staff. The contest took place on the island of Funajima and would be forever linked with various contentious snippets of hazy information. One version has it that Musashi carved his bokken from an oar whilst in transit to the fight, crafting it slightly longer than the nodachi that would be used by Kojiro. But, perhaps, the most memorable fact regarding the fight is evidence that Musashi arrived late for the contest; was this arrogant disrespect or a cleverly planned ruse to unnerve his opponent? Whatever the reason, the outcome remains the same: Kojiro dying violently before his enraged supporters and Musashi fleeing the island inches in advance of their wrath.

1621 - Duels Miyake Gunbei at Tatsuno. Attempts but fails to be accepted as chief sword master to the shogun; this will not be the first time his talents are rejected.

1637 – Musashi and adopted son Iori play roles in the Shimabara Rebellion. But, interestingly, it would be Iori that would receive distinction for his part in putting down the rebellion. Musashi himself was wounded early on in the conflict and gained no official recognition.

1633 – Duels less and less entering into a period of reflection and artistic creativity. He would stretch his philosophies in fighting to encompass the forms of sculpture, calligraphy and classic ‘ink wash’ painting. Some of his artwork still survives and emits an undeniable delicacy far removed from the violence that thus far defined its creator’s turbulent life.

1643 – An ailing Musashi confines himself to a cave called Reigando in which he composes his masterwork, Go Rin No Sho / The Book of Five Rings. Upon completion, Musashi’s health rapidly deteriorates and he dies in approximately June of 1645.

1645 – Musashi is buried in full armor in the village of Yuge, near Mount Iwato.

Resources:

The Book of Five Rings, translated by Thomas Cleary (Boston & London: Shambhala, 1993)

Sources:

The copyright of the article Legendary Samurai Warrior Miyamoto Musashi in Japanese History is owned by Hari Navarro. Permission to republish Legendary Samurai Warrior Miyamoto Musashi in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.