Miyamoto Musashi

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In this Japanese name, the surname is Miyamoto.

Miyamoto Musashi

Contemporaneous portrait of Miyamoto

Musashi (Edo period)

Born Shinmen Bennosuke

c. 1584
Harima Province or Mimasaka
Province, Japan

Died 13 June 1645 (aged 60–61)

Higo Province, Japan

Native 宮本武蔵
name

Other Niten Dōraku; Shinmen Musashi

names no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu

Residence Japan
 Style Hyōhō Niten Ichi-
ryū Kenjutsu (二天一流),
Enmei-ryu (圓明流), (二天流)

Children Mikinosuke (adopted)

Kurōtarō (adopted)
Iori (adopted)
Yoemon (adopted)
Daughter of unknown name

Notable Takemura Yoemon; Terao

students Magonojō; Terao
Motomenosuke; Furuhashi
Sōzaemon

Japanese name

Kanji 宮本 武蔵
showTranscriptions
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, c. 1584 – 13 June 1645),[1] also known
as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten
Dōraku,[2] was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and rōnin,
who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed
swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 61 duels (next is 33 by Itō Ittōsai).
Musashi, as he was often simply known, is considered a Kensei, a sword-saint
of Japan.[3] He was the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū, or Nito Ichi-ryū, style of
swordsmanship, and in his final years authored The Book of Five Rings (五輪の
書, Go Rin No Sho) and Dokkōdō (獨行道, The Path of Aloneness).

Both documents were given to Terao Magonojō, the most important of

Musashi's students, seven days before Musashi's death. The Book of Five
Rings deals primarily with the character of his Niten Ichi-ryū school in a
concrete sense, i.e., his own practical martial art and its generic
significance; The Path of Aloneness, on the other hand, deals with the ideas that
lie behind it, as well as his life's philosophy in a few short aphoristic sentences.

The Miyamoto Musashi Budokan training center, located in Ōhara-

chō (Mimasaka), Okayama prefecture, Japan was erected to honor his name and
legend.
 The Miyamoto Musashi Budokan in Ōhara-
chō (Mimasaka), Okayama prefecture, Japan[4]

Biography[edit]
Birth[edit]
The details of Miyamoto Musashi's early life are difficult to verify. Musashi
himself simply states in The Book of Five Rings that he was born in Harima
Province.[5] Niten Ki (an early biography of Musashi) supports the assertion that
Musashi was born in 1584: "[He] was born in Banshū, in Tenshō 12 [1584], the
Year of the Monkey."[6] The historian Kamiko Tadashi, commenting on
Musashi's text, notes: "Munisai was Musashi's father ... he lived in Miyamoto
village, in the Yoshino district [of Mimasaka Province]. Musashi was most
probably born here."[7]

Musashi gives his full name and title in The Book of Five Rings as Shinmen
Musashi-no-Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu (新免武蔵守藤原玄信).[8] His
father, Shinmen Munisai (新免無二斎) was an accomplished martial artist and
master of the sword and jutte (also jitte).[7] Munisai, in turn, was the son of
Hirata Shōgen (平田将監), a vassal of Shinmen Iga no Kami, the lord
of Takayama Castle in the Yoshino district of Mimasaka Province.[9] Hirata was
relied upon by Lord Shinmen and so was allowed to use the Shinmen name. As
for "Musashi", Musashi no Kami was a court title, making him the nominal
governor of Musashi Province. "Fujiwara" was the lineage from which Musashi
claimed descent.[10]

Upbringing[edit]
Musashi's eczema developed in his infancy, and this adversely affected his
appearance.[11] Another story claims that he never bathed himself because he did
not want to be surprised unarmed.[12]

First duel[edit]
I have trained in the way of strategy since my youth, and at the age of thirteen I
fought a duel for the first time. My opponent was called Arima Kihei, a sword
adept of the Shinto ryū, and I defeated him. At the age of sixteen I defeated a
powerful adept by the name of Tadashima Akiyama, who came from Tajima
Province. At the age of twenty-one I went up to Kyōtō and fought duels with
several adepts of the sword from famous schools, but I never lost.
— Miyamoto Musashi, Go Rin No Sho
According to the introduction of The Book of Five Rings, Musashi states that his
first successful duel was at the age of 13, against a samurai named Arima Kihei
who fought using the Kashima Shintō-ryū style, founded by Tsukahara
Bokuden (1489–1571). The main source of the duel is the Hyoho senshi
denki ("Anecdotes about the Deceased Master"). Summarized, its account goes
as follows:

In 1596, Musashi was 13, and Arima Kihei, who was traveling to hone his art,
posted a public challenge in Hirafuku-mura. Musashi wrote his name on the
challenge. A messenger came to Dorin's temple, where Musashi was staying, to
inform Musashi that his duel had been accepted by Kihei. Dorin, Musashi's
uncle, was shocked by this, and tried to beg off the duel in Musashi's name,
based on his nephew's age. Kihei was adamant that the only way his honour
could be cleared was if Musashi apologized to him when the duel was
scheduled. So when the time set for the duel arrived, Dorin began apologizing
for Musashi, who merely charged at Kihei with a six-foot quarterstaff, shouting
a challenge to Kihei. Kihei attacked with a wakizashi, but Musashi threw Kihei
on the floor, and while Kihei tried to get up, Musashi struck Arima between the
eyes and then beat him to death. Arima was said to have been arrogant, overly
eager to battle, and not a terribly talented swordsman.

— William Scott Wilson, The Lone Samurai[13]

Travels and duels[edit]
In 1599, Musashi left his village, apparently at the age of 15 (according to
the Tosakushi, "The Registry of the Sakushu Region", although the Tanji Hokin
Hikki says he was 16 years old in 1599, which agrees time-wise with the age
reported in Musashi's first duel).[14] His family possessions such as furniture,
weapons, genealogy, and other records were left with his sister and her husband,
Hirao Yoemon. He spent his time traveling and engaging in duels.

Statue of Miyamoto Musashi (Gleizé) (宮本武蔵像 (グルエーズ)).[15]

Duel with Sasaki Kojirō[edit]
See also: Sasaki Kojirō
In 1611, Musashi began practicing zazen at the Myōshin-ji temple, where he
met Nagaoka Sado, vassal to Hosokawa Tadaoki; Tadaoki was a powerful lord
who had received the Kumamoto Domain in west-central Kyūshū after
the Battle of Sekigahara. Munisai had moved to northern Kyūshū and became
Tadaoki's teacher, leading to the possibility that Munisai introduced Musashi to
Sasaki Kojirō, another guest of the Hosokawa clan at the time. Somehow, a duel
was proposed between the two; in some versions, Nagaoka proposed the duel, in
others, Kojirō proposed it out of rivalry or jealously. Tokitsu believes that the
duel was politically motivated, as a matter of consolidating Tadaoki's control
over his fief.

Sasaki Kojiro (right) engages Miyamoto

Musashi on the shores of Ganryū Island.
The duel was scheduled for April 13, 1612, when Musashi was approximately
30 years old. The departure by boat for the duel was arranged for the Hour of
the Dragon in the early morning (approximately 8:00 AM) to the island
of Ganryūjima, a small isle between Honshū and Kyūshū. While Hosokawa
officials banned spectators, the island was filled with them anyway. Kojirō was
known for wielding an oversized nodachi (Japanese greatsword) called a
"laundry-drying pole" for its length, as well as being titled "three-shaku silver
blade" (「三尺の白刃」). Using this sword, Kojirō was said to be known for a
swift two-stroke sword technique called tsubame gaeshi (not to confuse with
the judo move of the same name, which received the name as an homage), and
he bore the nickname "The Demon of the Western Provinces". Kojirō arrived at
the appointed time, but was then left to wait for hours; Musashi had overslept.
Kojirō sent out servants to retrieve Musashi, who ate a full breakfast, taking his
time. In some variants of the tale, Musashi intentionally arrives late as a sign of
disrespect. As he sailed over the Kanmon Straits, Musashi carved a crude
oversized bokken from one of the ship's oars with his knife, making an
improvised wooden sword, possibly to help wake himself up. Upon his arrival,
an irritated Kojirō chided Musashi's lateness and dramatically threw
his scabbard into the sea, as a sign that he would not stop and would fight to the
death. Musashi responded with a taunt of his own, saying that Kojirō clearly
wasn't confident in himself if he thought he'd never get a chance to use a fine
scabbard again.[16][17]

Gorinto dedicated to Sasaki Kojiro in Musashi Temple (Ohara).

The two circled each other, and Kojirō leaped toward Musashi with his
trademark overhead strike. Musashi, too, jumped and swung his weapon with a
shout, and the two sword strokes met. Musashi's headband fell off, sliced by
Kojirō's sword, but somehow, only the headband was cut rather than Musashi's
skull. Musashi's strike, meanwhile, had struck true, cleaving Kojirō's skull.[16]
 "Seishin Chokudo" (earnest heart, straight way)
monument dedicated to Miyamoto Musashi, located in Kokura. These
characters were engraved by Musashi on his bokken. It stands on the place
where Musashi is supposed to have lived, at the foot of the castle. The Hombu
dojo of a main branch of Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū is in Kokura and demonstrates
every year in front of this monument.
Later life[edit]

Miyamoto Musashi, Self-portrait, c. 1640

Twenty-one years later, in 1633, Musashi began staying with Hosokawa
Tadatoshi, daimyō of Kumamoto Castle, who had moved to the Kumamoto fief
and Kokura, to train and paint.[18] While he engaged in very few duels; one
would occur in 1634 at the arrangement of Lord Ogasawara, in which Musashi
defeated a lance specialist by the name of Takada Matabei. Musashi would
officially become the retainer of the Hosokowa lords of Kumamoto in 1640.
The Niten Ki records "[he] received from Lord Tadatoshi: 17 retainers, a stipend
of 300 koku, the rank of ōkumigashira 大組頭, and Chiba Castle in Kumamoto
as his residence."[19]
 Miyamoto Musashi's grave in Ōhara-chō, province

of Mimasaka[20] The grave-marker of Miyamoto Musashi,

in present-day Kumamoto Prefecture (熊本県)

Miyamoto Musashi kills a shark fish (Yamazame) in the mountains across the
border of Echizen Province, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
 Miyamoto Musashi in his prime, wielding
two bokken; woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
In the second month of 1641, Musashi wrote a work called the Hyoho Sanju
Go ("Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy") for Hosokawa Tadatoshi. This work
overlapped and formed the basis for the later The Book of Five Rings. This was
the year that his adopted son, Hirao Yoemon, became Master of Arms for the
Owari fief. In 1642, Musashi suffered attacks of neuralgia, foreshadowing his
future ill-health. In 1643 he retired to a cave named Reigandō as a hermit to
write The Book of Five Rings. He finished it in the second month of 1645. On
the twelfth of the fifth month, sensing his impending death, Musashi bequeathed
his worldly possessions, after giving his manuscript copy of The Book of Five
Rings to the younger brother of Terao Magonojo, his closest disciple. He died in
Reigandō cave around June 13, 1645 (Shōhō 2, 19th day of the 5th month).
The Hyoho senshi denki described his passing:

At the moment of his death, he had himself raised up. He had his belt tightened
and his wakizashi put in it. He seated himself with one knee vertically raised,
holding the sword with his left hand and a cane in his right hand. He died in this
posture, at the age of sixty-two. The principal vassals of Lord Hosokawa and
the other officers gathered, and they painstakingly carried out the ceremony.
Then they set up a tomb on Mount Iwato on the order of the lord.
Miyamoto Musashi died of what is believed to be thoracic cancer.[21] He died
peacefully after finishing the text Dokkōdō ("The Way of Walking Alone", or
"The Way of Self-Reliance"), 21 precepts on self-discipline to guide future
generations.

Relationships[edit]
Writings on Musashi's life rarely mention his relationship with women, and
often when they do Musashi is regularly depicted as rejecting sexual advances
in favor of focusing on his swordsmanship.[22][23][24] Alternative interpretations
have taken his lack of interest as an indication of homosexuality.[25] In contrast
many legends do feature Musashi in trysts with women, some of these also
reflect the view that he would eventually choose to forego physical or emotional
investments to attain further insight into his work.[26] This predominant cultural
view of Musashi is somewhat contradicted by old texts such as Dobo
goen (1720) which relay his intimacy with the courtesan Kumoi during his
middle age.[27] The Bushu Denraiki also details Musashi fathering a daughter by
a courtesan. It is uncertain if this courtesan and Kumoi were the same person.
[22]
A rumor also connected Musashi with the oiran Yoshino Tayu [Ja].[28]

Teachings[edit]
Musashi created and refined a two-sword kenjutsu technique
called niten'ichi (二天一, "two heavens as one") or nitōichi (二刀一, "two
swords as one") or 'Niten Ichi-ryū' (A Kongen Buddhist Sutra refers to the two
heavens as the two guardians of Buddha). In this technique, the swordsman
uses both a large sword, and a "companion sword" at the same time, i.e.
a katana with a wakizashi.[29]

The two-handed movements of temple drummers may have inspired him,

although it could be that the technique was forged through Musashi's combat
experience. Jutte techniques were taught to him by his father—the jutte was
often used in battle paired with a sword; the jutte would parry and neutralize the
weapon of the enemy while the sword struck or the practitioner grappled with
the enemy. Today Musashi's style of swordsmanship is known as Hyōhō Niten
Ichi-ryū.[30]

Musashi was also an expert in throwing weapons. He frequently threw his short
sword, and Kenji Tokitsu believes that shuriken methods for the wakizashi were
the Niten Ichi Ryu's secret techniques.[31]

Musashi spent many years studying Buddhism and swordsmanship. He was an

accomplished artist, sculptor, and calligrapher. Records also show that he
had architectural skills. Also, he seems to have had a rather straightforward
approach to combat, with no additional frills or aesthetic considerations. This
was probably due to his real-life combat experience; although in his later life,
Musashi followed a more artistic approach. He made various Zen brush
paintings, calligraphy, and sculpted wood and metal. Even in The Book of Five
Rings he emphasizes that samurai should understand other professions as well.
Musashi's writings were very ambiguous, and translating them into English
makes them even more so; thus many different translations of The Book of Five
Rings can be found.

Timeline[edit]
The following timeline follows, in chronological order (of which is based on the
most accurate and most widely accepted information), the life of Miyamoto
Musashi.

Date Age Occurrence

1578 −6 Musashi's brother, Shirota, is born.

1584 0 Miyamoto Musashi is born.

1591 6–7 Musashi is taken and raised by his uncle as a Buddhist.

11–
1596 Musashi duels with Arima Kihei in Hirafuku, Hyōgo Prefecture.
12

14– Duels with a man named Tadashima Akiyama in the northern part
1599
15 of Hyōgo Prefecture.

Believed to have fought in the Battle of Sekigahara (October 21)

1600 16 as part of the western army. Whether he actually participated in
the battle is currently in doubt.

Musashi has three matches with the Yoshioka clan in Kyoto. (1)
Match with Yoshioka Seijuro in Yamashiro Province, outside the
19– city at Rendai Moor (west of Mt. Funaoka, Kita-ku, Kyoto). (2)
1604
20 Match with Yoshioka Denshichiro outside the city. (3) Match
with Yoshioka Matashichiro outside the city at the pine of Ichijō-
ji.

Visits Kōfuku-ji, Nara and ends up dueling with Okuzōin Dōei,

 the Buddhist priest trained in the style of Hōzōin-ryū.[32]

1605– 20–
Begins to travel again.
1612 28

22–
1607 Munisai (Musashi's father) passes his teachings onto Musashi.
23

Duels with the kusarigama expert Shishido (swordsman) in the

western part of Mie Prefecture.

23–
1608 Duels Musō Gonnosuke, master of the five-foot staff in Edo.
24

25–
1610 Fights Hayashi Osedo and Tsujikaze Tenma in Edo.
26

26–
1611 Begins practicing zazen meditation.
27

Duel with Sasaki Kojirō takes place on April 13, on Ganryujima

1612 28 (Ganryu or Funa Island) off the coast of Shimonoseki in which
Kojiro is defeated.

Briefly opens a fencing school.

Believed to have joined the troops of Toyotomi Hideyori in

1614– 30– the Winter and Summer campaigns (November 8, 1614 – June
1615 31 15, 1615) at Osaka Castle, but no significant contributions are
documented.

1615– 30– Comes into the service of Ogasawara Tadanao in Harima

1621 37 Province as a construction supervisor.
 36–
1621 Duels Miyake Gunbei in Tatsuno, Hyōgo.
37

37–
1622 Sets up temporary residence at the castle town of Himeji, Hyōgo.
38

38–
1623 Travels to Edo.
39

Adopts a son named Iori.

41– Adopted son Mikinosuke commits seppuku following in the

1626
42 tradition of Junshi.

42–
1627 Travels again.
43

43–
1628 Meets with Yagyū Hyōgonosuke in Nagoya, Owari Province.
44

45–
1630 Enters the service of Lord Hosokawa Tadatoshi.
46

48–
1633 Begins to extensively practice the arts.
49

49– Settles in Kokura, Fukuoka Prefecture for a short time with son
1634
50 Iori as a guest of Ogasawara Tadazane.

Serves a major role in the Shimabara Rebellion (December 17,

1637– 53– 1637 – April 15, 1638) and is the only documented evidence that
1638 54 Musashi served in battle. Was knocked off his horse by a rock
thrown by one of the peasants.
 56–
1641 Writes Hyoho Sanju-go.
57

57–
1642 Suffers severe attacks from neuralgia.
58

58–
1643 Migrates into Reigandō where he lives as a hermit.
59

Finishes Go Rin No Sho/The Book of Five Rings. Dies from what

1645 61
is believed to be lung cancer.

Philosophy[edit]

Calligraphy by Musashi
In Musashi's last book, The Book of Five Rings (五輪書, Go Rin no Sho),
Musashi seems to take a very philosophical approach to looking at the "craft of
war": "There are five ways in which men pass through life: as gentlemen,
warriors, farmers, artisans and merchants."

Throughout the book, Musashi implies that the way of the Warrior, as well as
the meaning of a "true strategist" is that of somebody who has made mastery of
many art forms away from that of the sword, such as tea drinking (sadō),
laboring, writing, and painting, as Musashi practiced throughout his life.
[33]
Musashi was hailed as an extraordinary sumi-e artist in the use of ink
monochrome as depicted in two such paintings: "Shrike Perched in a Dead
Tree" (Koboku Meigekizu, 枯木鳴鵙図) and "Wild Geese Among Reeds"
(Rozanzu, 魯山図). Going back to the Book of Five Rings, Musashi talks deeply
about the ways of Buddhism.

He makes particular note of artisans and foremen. When he wrote the book, the
majority of houses in Japan were made of wood. In the use of building a house,
foremen have to employ strategy based upon the skill and ability of their
workers.

In comparison to warriors and soldiers, Musashi notes the ways in which the
artisans thrive through events; the ruin of houses, the splendor of houses, the
style of the house, the tradition and name or origins of a house. These too, are
similar to the events which are seen to have warriors and soldiers thrive; the rise
and fall of prefectures, countries and other such events are what make uses for
warriors, as well as the literal comparisons: "The carpenter uses a master plan of
the building, and the way of strategy is similar in that there is a plan of
campaign".

Way of strategy[edit]
Ni-Ten Ichi Ryu[edit]
Main article: Niten Ichi-ryū
Within the book, Musashi mentions that the use of two swords within strategy is
equally beneficial to those who use the skill for individual duels or large
engagements. The idea of using two hands for a sword is an idea that Musashi
opposes because there is no fluidity in movement with two hands: "If you hold a
sword with both hands, it is difficult to wield it freely to left and right, so my
method is to carry the sword in one hand." He also disagrees with the idea of
using a sword with two hands on a horse and/or riding on unstable terrain, such
as muddy swamps, rice fields, or within crowds of people.

To learn the strategy of Ni-Ten Ichi Ryū, Musashi asserts that by training with
two long swords, one in each hand, one will be able to overcome the
cumbersome nature of using a sword in both hands. Although it is difficult,
Musashi agrees that there are times in which the long sword must be used with
two hands, but one whose skill is good enough should not need it.

After using two long swords proficiently enough, mastery of a long sword, and
a "companion sword", most likely a wakizashi, will be much increased: "When
you become used to wielding the long sword, you will gain the power of the
Way and wield the sword well."
In short, it could be seen, from the excerpts from The Book of Five Rings, that
real strategy behind Ni-Ten No Ichi Ryu, is that there is no real iron-clad
method, path, or type of weaponry specific to the style of Ni-Ten No Ichi Ryu:

You can win with a long weapon, and yet you can also win with a short weapon.
In short, the Way of the Ichi school is the spirit of winning, whatever the
weapon and whatever its size.
Religion[edit]
Even from an early age, Musashi separated his religion from his involvement in
swordsmanship. Excerpts such as the one below, from The Book of Five Rings,
demonstrate a philosophy that is thought to have stayed with him throughout his
life:

There are many ways: Confucianism, Buddhism, the ways of elegance, rice-
planting, or dance; these things are not to be found in the way of the warrior.[34]
However, the belief that Musashi disliked Shinto is inaccurate, as he criticises
the Shintō-ryū style of swordsmanship, not Shinto, the religion. In
Musashi's Dokkōdō, his stance on religion is further elucidated: "Respect
Buddha and the gods without counting on their help."[35]

As an artist[edit]

Shrike in a barren tree, by Miyamoto Musashi

In his later years, Musashi said in his The Book of Five Rings: "When I apply
the principle of strategy to the ways of different arts and crafts, I no longer have
need for a teacher in any domain." He proved this by creating recognized
masterpieces of calligraphy and classic ink painting. His paintings are
characterized by skilled use of ink washes and an economy of brush stroke. He
especially mastered the "broken ink" school of landscapes, applying it to other
subjects, such as his Kobokumeikakuzu ("Shrike Perched on a Withered
Branch"; part of a triptych whose other two members were "Hotei Walking" and
"Sparrow on Bamboo"), his Hotei Watching a Cockfight, and
his Rozanzu ("Wild Geese Among Reeds"). The Book of Five Rings advocates
involvement in calligraphy and other arts as a means of training in the art of
war.[36]

In Japanese and global culture[edit]

Miyamoto Musashi Budokan[edit]
Further information: Miyamoto Musashi Budokan
On 20 May 2000, at the initiative of Sensei Tadashi Chihara[37] the Miyamoto
Musashi Budokan[38] was inaugurated.[1] It was built in Ōhara-Cho in
the province of Mimasaka, the birthplace of the samurai. Inside the building, the
life and journey of Miyamoto Musashi are remembered everywhere. Dedicated
to martial arts, the Budokan is the source for all of Japan's official traditional
saber and kendo schools. Practically, historically and culturally it is a junction
for martial disciplines in the heart of traditional Japan dedicated to Musashi.

The inauguration of the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan perpetuated the twinning

established on March 4, 1999, between the inhabitants of Ōhara-Chō (Japanese
province of Mimasaka) and the inhabitants of Gleizé. It was formalized in the
presence of Sensei Tadashi Chihara, guarantor and tenth in the lineage of
Miyamoto Musashi carrying a mandate from the mayor of Ōhara-Chō, and in
the presence of the mayor of Gleizé Élisabeth Lamure.[39][40] This event was
extended during the mandate of the new mayor of Ōhara-Chō Fukuda Yoshiaki,
by the official invitation from Japan and the consequent visit of the mayor of
Gleizé for the inauguration of the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan on 10 May
2000, in the presence of personalities and Japanese authorities.

Monuments[edit]


Memorial Lyon-Japan Japan-France Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu (Gleizé).

 

Memorial Lyon-Japan Japan-France Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu (Jarnioux).

In popular culture[edit]
Further information: Miyamoto Musashi in fiction
Even in Musashi's time there were fictional texts resembling comic books. It is
therefore quite difficult to separate fact from fiction when discussing his life.
There have been numerous works of fiction made about or featuring
Musashi. Eiji Yoshikawa's novelization (originally a 1930s daily newspaper
serial) has greatly influenced successive fictional depictions (including
the manga Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue) and is often mistaken for a factual
account of Musashi's life. In 2012, writer Sean Michael Wilson and Japanese
artist Chie Kutsuwada published an attempt at a more historically accurate
manga entitled The Book of Five Rings: A Graphic Novel, based on research and
translations by William Scott Wilson.

Onimusha, a video game series by Capcom, featured Musashi as a secret

playable character in Onimusha Blade Warriors.

The 2008 video game Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! was based on his life and
personality.

He also appeared in the manga Baki-Dou as a revived clone of himself with his
real soul intact as one of the strongest fighters in the series, and used his two-
sword style in almost every combat in which he was shown.

In the video game Overwatch the playable character Genji used to have a voice
line that quotes Musashi: "Mi wo sutetemo myōri wa sutezu" (身を捨てても名
利は捨てず), which roughly translates to "You may abandon your body, but
you must preserve your honor."

The card game Magic: The Gathering has a card based on him, Isshin, Two
Heavens as One, named for his two swords as one technique.

In the 2017 video game For Honor, the "Aramusha" hero is loosely inspired by
Musashi. The character is a ronin who wields two swords.

In Cyberpunk 2077 the character Takemura sends a text message to V that reads
"Even should you abandon your body, never abandon your honor. Never stray
from the Way. Miyamoto Musashi" This text can only be received after the
mission Search and Destroy, if the player saves Takemura.

The 2023 anime Onimusha was based loosely on the video game franchise of
the same name and produced by Netflix. The series portrays a fictional version
of an aging Musashi who embarks on a journey to defeat supernatural forces of
evil using the Oni Gauntlet.

Gallery[edit]


Statue of Hosokawa Tadatoshi within Suizen-ji Jōju-en

Mon of the Hosokawa clan

Mon of Miyamoto Musashi born in Ōhara-chō province of Mimasaka

 

Mon of Tokugawa Shogunate

Statue of Musashi & Kojiro Battle

Bibliography[edit]

 Hyodokyo (The Mirror of the Way of Strategy)

 Hyoho Sanjugo Kajo (Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy)
 Hyoho Shijuni Kajo (Forty-two Instructions on Strategy)
 Dokkōdō (The Way to be Followed Alone)
 Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings; a reference to the Five Rings of
Zen Buddhism). Translated into English by Victor Harris as A Book of Five
Rings, London: Allison & Busby, 1974; Woodstock, New York: The
Overlook Press.

See also[edit]

 Martial Arts portal

 Asia portal
 Japan portal
 History portal
 Biography portal

 Yagyū Munenori
 Gosho Motoharu
 Hōjō Akinokami
 Sasaki Kojiro
 Takuan Soho
 Terao Magonojō
 Eiji Yoshikawa
 Bizen
 Mimasaka
 Ōhara-chō
 Miyamoto Musashi Budokan
 Miyamoto Musashi Station
 Philosophy of war
 List of military writers

References[edit]

1. ^ Jump up to:a b Tokitsu, Kenji (1998). Miyamoto Musashi: 17th century

Japanese saber master: man and work, myth and reality; Miyamoto
Musashi : maître de sabre japonais du XVIIe siècle : l'homme et l'œuvre,
mythe et réalité. Editions désiris. pp. 19, 20. ISBN 978-
2907653541. OCLC 41259596.
2. ^ Toyota Masataka. "Niten Ki (A Chronicle of Two Heavens)", in Gorin
no Sho, ed. Kamiko Tadashi (Tokyo: Tokuma-shoten, 1963), 239.
3. ^ Miyamoto Musashi, trans.S. F. Kaufman (1994), Book Of Five Rings,
Tuttle Publishing.
4. ^ "Budokan". Miyamoto Musashi school. 2009. Retrieved 12
August 2020.
5. ^ Miyamoto Musashi. "Go Rin No Sho", in Gorin no Sho, ed. Kamiko
Tadashi (Tokyo: Tokuma-shoten, 1963), 13.
6. ^ Toyota, p. 239
7. ^ Jump up to:a b Miyamoto, p. 18ff.
8. ^ Miyamoto, 13.
9. ^ Miyamoto, p. 17ff.
10.^ Musashi, Miyamoto (2018). Complete Musashi : the Definitive
Translations of the Complete Writings of Miyamoto Musashi—JapanÆs
Greatest Samurai. Alexander Bennett. La Vergne: Tuttle
Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-2027-3. OCLC 1076236783.
11.^ Musashi, Miyamoto (2006). Rosemary Brant (ed.). The Book of Five
Rings: the classic text of Samurai sword strategy. New York: Barnes &
Noble. ISBN 978-0-7607-8457-0. Translated by Ashikaga Yoshiharu.
12.^ Harris, Victor, p. 10, Miyamoto pp. 16ff. The latter footnote by
Kamiko reads: "For his entire life, Musashi never took a wife, cut his
hair, or entered a bath".
13.^ William Scott Wilson. (2004). The Lone Samurai. Kodansha
International. ISBN 978-4-7700-2942-3.
14.^ Kenji Tokitsu (2004). Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings.
Shambhala.
15.^ "Gleizé: a statue in homage to the samurai Miyamoto Musashi". Le
Patriote. 2023.
16.^ Jump up to:a b Lowry, Dave (1986). Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword.
Ohara Publications. pp. 21–27. ISBN 978-0-89750-104-0.
17.^ Wilson, William Scott (2004). The Lone Samurai: The Life of
Miyamoto Musashi. Tokyo: Kodansha International. p. 19. ISBN 978-
4770029423.
18.^ "Art of Miyamoto Musashi". Miyamoto Musashi Dojo. 2009.
Retrieved 12 August 2020.
19.^ Toyota, p. 250
20.^ "宮本武蔵 – Musashi". Miyamoto Musashi dojo. 2009. Retrieved 13
August 2020.
21.^ Almo, Leif. "Musashi Miyamoto – the Legend". Kendo.com. Scandnet
AB. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 4
March 2017.
22.^ Jump up to:a b K. Groff, David (2016). The Five Rings: Miyamoto
Musashi's Art of Strategy. Book Sales. p. 21. ISBN 978-0785834007.
23.^ Thomas F., Cleary (2000). Classics of Strategy and Counsel: Thunder
in the sky. Shambhala. p. 269. ISBN 978-1570627286.
24.^ William Scott, Wilson (2013). The Lone Samurai: The Life of
Miyamoto Musashi. Shambhala Publications. p. 78. ISBN 978-
1590309872.
25.^ Tokitsu, Kenji (2004). Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings.
Shambhala. p. 222. ISBN 978-1590300459.
26.^ "Miyamoto Musashi". Nakasendoway.
27.^ William Scott, Wilson (2013). The Lone Samurai: The Life of
Miyamoto Musashi. Shambhala Publications. p. 79. ISBN 978-
1590309872.
28.^ Downer, Lesley (2002). Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret
History of the Geisha. Broadway Books. ISBN 978-0767904902.
29.^ Ratti, Oscar; Westbrook, Adele (2011). Secrets of the Samurai: The
Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Tuttle Publishing. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-
4629-0254-5.
30.^ Niten Institute. "The life of Miyamoto Musashi". Instituto Cultural
Niten. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
31.^ Hyakutake-Watkin, Colin; Masayuki, Imai; Norikazu,
Iwata. "Hyōhō.com". Archived from the original on 15 June 2004.
32.^ Kagita, Chūbei. "The sickle-spear of the Hōzōinryū (7) |
SojutsuDE". www.sojutsu.de. Retrieved 5 May 2021. First published in
the Nara town magazine Ubusuna on 8 July 2009.
33.^ "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life: Five Lessons from Miyamoto
Musashi's 'Way of the Warrior' – The Objective
 Standard". theobjectivestandard.com. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 8
July 2021.
34.^ Miyamoto, p. 57.
35.^ "獨行道". Archived from the original on 18 December 2008.
36.^ Uozumi Takashi (25 July 2019). "Master Swordsman Miyamoto
Musashi: The Man Behind The Book of Five Rings". Nippon.com.
Archived from the original on 5 March 2020.
37.^ "the 10 th, Tadashi Chihara, hyouhou niten ichiryū musashi
seitannochi" (PDF). 11 April 2020.
38.^ "Dojo Miyamoto Musashi". www.dojo-miyamoto-musashi.com.
39.^ "Reportage – Dojo – France3 – Miyamoto Musashi School". February
1999.
40.^ "Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu Memorial". 2018.

Further reading[edit]
Fiction[edit]

 Sean Michael, Wilson (2014). Musashi (A Graphic Novel).

Shambhala. (Manga/historical fiction)
 Sean Michael, Wilson (2012). The Book of Five Rings: a graphic novel.
Shambhala. (Manga/historical fiction)
 Inoue, Takehiko (1998). Vagabond. Viz Communications. (Manga/historical
fiction)
 Yoshikawa, Eiji (1995). Musashi (reprint ed.). Kodansha
International. ISBN 978-4-7700-1957-8. (Historical fiction)
Children's books[edit]

 Moore, J.S. (2014). Under the Sun: The Miyamoto Musashi Story.
Understanding Apples Press. ISBN 978-1-5028-0491-4.
Essays[edit]

 Tokitsu, Kenji (2004). Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings.

Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN 978-1-59030-045-9.
 Turnbull, Stephen R. (1990). The Lone Samurai and the Martial Arts.
London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 978-0-85368-967-6.
 Wilson, William Scott (2004). The Lone Samurai. Kodansha
International. ISBN 978-4-7700-2942-3.
 De Lange, William (2010). The Real Musashi: The Bushu denraiki. Floating
World Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-56-8.
 De Lange, William (2011). The Real Musashi: The Bukoden. Floating World
Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-60-5.
 De Lange, William (2016). The Real Musashi: A Miscellany. Floating World
Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-86-5.
 De Lange, William (2014). Miyamoto Musashi: A Life in Arms. Floating
World Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-629.
Testimony[edit]

 Iwami Toshio Harukatsu soke (11th successor to Miyamoto

Musashi), "Musashi's teachings – philosophy first: translation in
English", Dragon n°7, January 2005, ed. Mathis; French original
text: L'enseignement de Musashi est d'abord une philosophie
 Iwami Toshio Harukatsu soke (11th successor to Miyamoto
Musashi), "Musashi's principles", Dragon n°13, January 2006, ed. Mathis;
French original text: Les principes de Musashi

External links[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Miyamoto Musashi.

Library resources about

Miyamoto Musashi

Online books
Resources in your library
Resources in other libraries
By Miyamoto Musashi
Online books
Resources in your library
Resources in other libraries

 miyamotomusashi.eu
 Miyamoto Musashi Dojo (in French)
 Some artwork by Miyamoto Musashi (archive link)
 The samurai warrior and Zen Buddhism (website of the Asian Art Museum,
San Francisco)
 Complete texts in English by Miyamoto Musashi
 Miyamoto Musashi; his Swordsmanship and Book of Five Rings
 Profile on Shambhala Publications website