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.
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| 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, when he defeated a swordsman named Arima Kihei. His second duel came at age 16, where he claimed victory over Tadashima Akiyama, and by the time he was 21, Musashi had reportedly defeated several students from a prominent sword-fighting school in Kyoto.
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| Self-portrait by Musashi (1584-1645) |
One of the most disputed aspects of Musashi's life is his role in the 1600 Battle of Sekigahara. Traditionally, Musashi is believed to have fought for the Western side, which lost the battle, a decisive conflict that led to the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, recent research suggests that he may have fought for the Eastern army alongside his father, or that he may not have participated in the battle at all. This uncertainty casts doubt on the popular image of Musashi as a rōnin (masterlass samurai) wandering Japan in search of duels, a persona that may have been exaggerated over time to enhance his "lone-wolf" reputation. While it is true that Musashi lived independently for parts of his life, he likely had more structured affiliations with powerful lords than commonly portrayed.
In his pursuit of mastery, Musashi developed the nitō ichi-ryū style of swordsmanship earning him the title of kensei (sword saint). He claimed to have fought over 60 duels, many of them to the death, and remained undefeated. His record of 62 duels is unmatched, with his closest rival, Itō Ittōsai, recording 33 victories.
Musashi's most famous duel took place in 1612 against his arch-rival, Sasaki Kojirō, whose skill was said to rival Musashi’s. The duel occurred on Ganryūjima, a small island off the coast of Japan. According to legend, Musashi deliberately arrived late, rowing to the island while carving a wooden sword from an oar. Upon meeting Kojirō on the beach, Musashi reportedly struck him down with a single blow to the head using the wooden sword. This encounter has become one of the most iconic moments in Musashi's life, though details such as whether he truly arrived late on purpose and whether Kojirō was killed with a single blow remain debated.
After defeating Kojirō, Musashi felt he had reached the pinnacle of his abilities and retired from dueling. He continued to train students and later played a role in suppressing the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637. Musashi’s later years were spent in relative peace, where he focused on teaching, writing, and painting.
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| Statue depicting the duel betwen Musashi and Kojirō |
Niten Ichi-ryū (二天一流)
Miyamoto Musashi developed his own sword-fighting style known as Niten Ichi-ryū (二天一流), a revolutionary technique that utilised two swords instead of the traditional one. This style involved wielding both a long sword (katana) and a "companion sword" (wakizashi) simultaneously.
Musashi emphasised that training with two long swords, one in each hand, allows a swordsman to overcome the limitations of using both hands on a single sword. Though he acknowledged that certain situations require the use of a long sword with two hands, he believed that a true master should rarely need to do so. Mastering the use of two swords increases proficiency in wielding both a katana and wakizashi. As Musashi stated: "When you become used to wielding the long sword, you will gain the power of the Way and wield the sword well".
Musashi's technique highlights not only his exceptional skill with the sword but also his keen strategic thinking. His approach to combat emphasised adaptability and efficiency, which allowed him to adjust to any situation and opponent.
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| Demonstration of the Niten Ichi-ryū style |
Writings and Art
In his later years, Miyamoto Musashi gained fame not only as a swordsman but also as a master strategist, artist, and philosopher. His most well-known written work, The Book of Five Rings, serves as a manual on martial arts, strategy, and philosophy, while his lesser-known Dokkōdō outlines a set of life principles that reflect his personal code of conduct. Musashi’s philosophy often mirrors Buddhist principles, emphasising acceptance of things as they are, detachment from pleasure, and control over one's emotions. One of his most famous lines from The Book of Five Rings encapsulates this mindset: "Seek nothing outside of yourself".
Musashi also stressed self-reliance, advising to "respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help", reflecting his belief in personal responsibility over reliance on external forces.
In addition to his martial and philosophical contributions, Musashi was also an accomplished artist of suiboku-ga or sumi-e (monochrome ink painting). His painting style was characterised by powerful, direct strokes and a remarkable economy of lines. Among his best-known works are his paintings of birds, such as Koboku Meikakuzu ("Shrike Perched in a Dead Tree") and Rozanzu ("Wild Geese Among Reeds"), which continue to be admired for their simplicity and elegance.
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| Koboku meikakuzu by Musashi |
Musashi in Fiction
Miyamoto Musashi has appeared in various works of fiction, often portrayed as a fierce, wild, and unkempt warrior, with many of his duels and legendary feats retold and reimagined. One of the most notable portrayals is in Vagabond, a manga by Takehiko Inoue, which serves as a biographical retelling of Musashi’s life.
In Vagabond, Inoue explores Musashi’s journey as he searches for ever-stronger opponents while grappling with the deeper meaning of life and combat. The story delves into the evolution of his worldview, moving beyond the pursuit of victory and killing for its own sake. As the manga progresses, Musashi begins to question the value of constant dueling and violence. A key moment comes later in the series, when he helps a starving village to harvest rice, symbolising his shift from seeking death to nurturing life.
Vagabond captures the complexities of Musashi’s character, portraying his personal growth from a brutal swordsman to a more reflective individual who understands the importance of creation over destruction, showcasing an interpretation of Musashi not just as a warrior, but as a philosopher and a man of peace in his later years.
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| Musashi Miyamoto from the manga Vagabond |
Conclusion
Musashi remains a symbol of mastery, discipline, and self-reliance, revered in both historical and legendary contexts. His contributions to martial arts, strategy, and philosophy have left a lasting impact, and he is still celebrated today as a true kensei—a "sword saint" of Japan.
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