Musashi (MIYAMOTO Musashi)

  Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, 1584-1645), prior to adulthood known simply as Takezo Shinmen, as Miyamoto Bennosuke or Miyamoto Musana, was a famous Japanese swordsman. He is believed to have been one of the most skilled swordsmen in history. Musashi, as he is often simply known, became legendary through his outstanding swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age. He is the founder of the Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu, or Niten Ryu style of swordsmanship and wrote Go Rin No Sho, The Book of Five Rings, a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.


  In April 14, 1612 aged approximately 28, Musashi had his most famous duel with Sasaki Kojiro who wielded a nodachi (a type of long two-handed sword). Musashi came late and unkempt to the appointed place — the remote island of Funajima, north of Kyushu. The duel was short and Musashi killed his opponent with a bokken that he had made from an oar (this may be related to the Okinawan weapon known as the shureido eaku) to be longer than the nodachi, an impressive feat by the standards of any samurai or swordsman.

  Musashi's late arrival is controversial. Sasaki's outraged supporters thought it was dishonorable and disrespectful while many others 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 then it turned by the time the fight ended. After his victory, Musashi immediately jumped back in his boat and his flight from Sasaki's vengeful allies was thus helped by the turning tide. He briefly established a fencing school that same year.


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