Robert Miller

The Great Japanese Swordsmen part 3



Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2010

by Robert Miller
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Miyamoto Musashi Musashi is a well known martial artist from fuedal Japan. He is considered the Kensei , sword-saint of Japan. The name "Musashi" was thought to be taken from the name of a warrior monk named Musashib Benkei who served under Minamoto no Yoshitsune , but this is unconfirmed.

It's said that he may have studied at the Yoshioka ryu school , which was also said to be a school Musashi defeated single-handedly during his later years, although this is very uncertain. He did have formal training either by his father until he was 7 years old or from his uncle beginning at the age of 7. Ultimately the name was taken from his own original kanji, which can be read as Takezo or as Musashi, as stated in Eiji Yoshikawa's book Musashi .

At the age of 13 Musashi fought in his first duel killing his opponent, by the age of 60 he had been in over sixty duels with (according to legend ) only 1 ending in a draw, the rest were victories. This does not include the men that he had killed in battle. He was involved in several major battles during his time, and the number of enemies he killed from them are unknown. In April 13, 1612, Musashi fought his most famous duel, with Sasaki Kojir o, who wielded a nodachi . Musashi came late and unkempt to the appointed place - the remote island of Funajima , north of Kokura . The duel was short. Musashi killed his opponent with a bokken that he had carved from an oar while traveling to the island. Musashi fashioned it to be longer than the nodachi , making it closer to a modern suburito .

Musashi's late arrival is controversial. Sasaki's outraged supporters thought it was dishonorable and disrespectful while Musashi's supporters thought it was a fair way to unnerve his opponent. Another theory is that Musashi timed the hour of his arrival to match the turning of the tide. The tide carried him to the island. After his victory, Musashi immediately jumped back in his boat and his flight from Sasaki's vengeful allies was helped by the turning of the tide. Another theory states he waited for the sun to get in the right position. After he dodged a blow Sasaki was blinded by the sun. At this time Musashi would have delivered the killing blow to the chest of Sasaki ending the duel.

In the year 1643 Musashi retired to a cave and began writing his "Book of Five Rings" or "Go Rin No Sho" . He finished the book in 1644 and passed its knowledge onto his closest disciple. And in June of 1645, the greatest warrior and swordsman of his time passed away leaving a legand and legacy that have since been unrivaled. His book is still read and the knowledge still continues to be used not only only the field of battle, but also the board rooms around the world of major businesses.

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