Samurai Legend Miyamoto Musashi
Introduction Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵) was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist, and writer. Known as a kensei (sword saint), Musashi is famous for winning over 60 duels while remaining undefeated and for founding the Niten Ichi-ryū style of swordsmanship, which uses two blades. In his later years, he authored The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho ) and Dokkōdō (獨行道, The Path of Aloneness ). But where does history end and legend begin? Join me as we explore the life of a real samurai legend. Miyamoto Musashi painted by Yoshitaki Tsunejiro (1855) The Life of Musashi Miyamoto Musashi was born in 1584 into a samurai family, though some accounts suggest that his parents were of lower social status. His early life remains shrouded in mystery, with much of what we know coming from Musashi's own writings. In The Book of Five Rings , Musashi mentions being born in Harima Province (modern-day Hyōgo Prefecture). He also recounts that his first duel occurred at the age of 13, whe