Japan's Interesting People:Musashi Miyamoto

This is another edition of *Japan's Interesting People.*This page will cover the life of Japan's most famous wandering Samurai; Musashi Miyamoto.

Musashi Miyamoto is known throughout Japan as being one of the best Samurai duelists of all time since (by all accounts so far) is never been known to lose a duel. He has spent most of his life as a drifter and even developed his style of sword fighting called "Niten Ichi Ryu" (The Style of 2 heavens as 1) which consists of using 2 full-lengthed Katanas. He is more known throughout the world as being the author of his writing called "The Book of 5 Rings" which is about his sword style.

But what was his life about? This is what this page will try to cover.

## Birth and Early Life

There's a bit of speculation regarding Musashi's birth since Musashi's natural father; Munisai died in 1580, and Musashi was born supposedly in the year 1584 (4 years after his natural father died). Others believe that Musashi's father died in 1590, and not 1580. But whatever the year Musashi was born, but he was born in the small Japanese peasant village of Miyamoto (given his accepted surname of Miyamoto).

After his father's death, Musashi was taken in by his uncle Dorinbo and lived in the Shoreian Temple where he was taught a very Buddhist education in terms of writing and reading. He was also giving the basics of sword training, though his uncle was also not very tolerant of mistakes, and often punished Musashi for them, and if he were to misbehave.

## His first Duel

According to Musashi's writings in the Book of 5 Rings, he had his first duel when he was 13-years old when another wandering Samurai named "Arima Kihei" left a message saying that he will challenge anybody from the town. Musashi took up the challenge and he defeated Kihei.

Around 2 years later, Musashi would leave to go on his journey, he would never return to his home town. During his first travels, he would have other duels with other wandering Samurai such as "Akiyama" from the province of Tajima.

## Battle of Sekigahara

In the year 1600, the battle for supremacy in Japan was at a tipping point, by October 21, 2 armies were left to fight for that supremacy, the Eastern Army (the Tokugawa Clan and loyalists) and the Western Army (a coalition of Samurai Clans remaining loyal to the Toyotomi). Musashi found himself in this particular battle, and because his family swore allegiance to the Samurai Clan of Shimen who in turn swore allegiance to the Toyotomi, he fought or the Western Army. Unfortunately for Musashi and the Toyotomi, the Western Army would lose this particular battle, and thus the Tokugawa Shogunate would be established in 1603. After the battle, Musashi would seek refuge at Mt. Hiko where he would continue to train.

Though this is unconfirmed, this is where Musashi may have developed his own "Niten Ichi Ryu" style.

## His career as a duelist

Musashi returned to public eyes in 1604 when he supposedly challenged the school of the Yoshioka Brothers as Musashi believed that his natural father challenged the school before and won against them in front of the Ashikaga Shogun (Yoshiaki). The Yoshiokas agreed to take Musashi up on his challenge and they set the date to March 8 and was to be in Randaiji in the province of Rakuhoku. One of the Yoshioka Brothers (Seijuro) was there to take on Musashi, but Musashi would arrive several hours late, many believe that Musashi did it on purpose to emotionally unsettle his opponent, nevertheless, Musashi was able to defeat Seijuro which fired him to pass the leading of their dojo to his younger brother; Denshichiro who wanted revenge for his brother's defeat. He challenged Musashi to a duel outside Kyoto's Sanjusangen Temple. Again, Musashi arrived late for the duel, and (again) this would work in Musashi's favor as he was able to defeat Denshichiro. Musashi wouldn't know this, but he's now a target for the Yoshioka clan as another of its members; Matashichiro challenged Musashi.

The duel would take place at Ichi-Jo Temple not far from Kyoto. Only this time, Musashi would arrive early and using the bamboo forest to his advantage as not just Matashichiro, but an entire legion of fighters would attack him. Eventually (and believe it or not) Musashi would defeat the entire legion of fighters, and kill Matashichiro. This would leave the reputation of the Yoshioka Family Dojo in shambles.

After this, Musashi would continue to travel and train for the next 6 years. In 1611, it is believed that Musashi went to Myoshin-Ji Temple to practice a Buddhist meditation method called "Zazen" (this is where one would sit in a Lotus Position with both of their hands cupped together and close their eyes). Though Musashi was raised a Buddhist, but wasn't totally into any kind of religion, as he would say one time.

> *"Pay respect to Buddha and to the gods, but do not rely on their help."*
>
>

But, what would come next, is probably the most famous of Musashi's duels. It will be against a man that was named "Kojiro Sasaki" as one of the men that also goes to the temple would ask Musashi to duel with Sasaki who was also a prominent Samurai Duelist.

## Musashi VS. Sasaki

Kojiro Sasaki was also one of Japan's most prominent Samurai Duelists, and he has earned his nickname "The Demon of the Western Provinces" his weapon of choice was the "Nodachi"; another Japanese sword. This duel would take place on a small island of "Funajima" (known today as Ganryu Island).

Early in the morning on April 13, 1612, one of Sasaki's men came to find Musashi who was sleeping. Musashi took his time and ate a full breakfast. When he was ready, he rowed to the island. When he faced Sasaki in battle, it was short as he used, not his dual katanas, but a wooden sword that (according to legend) he carved himself from the very oar he used to sail to the island. This duel was brief as (again, according to legend) Musashi kills Sasaki with a single blow to the head.

This is where some controversy comes in. Musashi (again) arrived late for the duel, and this led for some people to believe that Musashi waited until a certain time of day so the Sun was in a certain position in the sky to blind Sasaki, and so the tide can carry Musashi too, and from the island. Some even say that the duel was "politically motivated" and Sasaki was set up to be "murdered", and that Musashi cheated. Later in 1612, he would open up a fencing school.

## Siege of Osaka Castle

By 1614, the Tokugawa Shogunate once again went off to war as the Toyotomi clan was still around (especially Hideyoshi's heir, Hideyori who now has come of age) and was seen as a threat to the newly created Tokugawa Shogunate. Musashi would be some part of this battle, though despite some records saying that he fought for the Tokugawas due to his connections to some clans loyal to the Tokugawa, but he again fought for the Toyotomi clan. Eventually, in the summer of 1615, the Toyotomi clan would be defeated, Osaka Castle would burn and Hideyori would commit seppuku.

## A new purpose

But Musashi would stick around as he would accept Tadano Ogasawara as his master. Under Ogasawara, Musashi would help with the construction of Akashi Castle, and would also organize the foundation of the town of Himeji. He would teach sword techniques and even adopt a son; Mikinosuke. But in 1622 Mikinosuke would become a vassal to the new town of Himeji, this would allow Musashi to travel once more. This time, he would visit Edo where he would meet a Razan Hayashi; a Confucian scholar and an advisor to the Shogun. Musashi would also apply to become a Shogunate swordmaster, but his application was denied since he served 2 swordmasters at the time. This led to (again) more traveling for Musashi. In 1626, Mikinosuke would commit seppuku in response to the death of his lord (which is also called "Junshi" which is committing suicide for your now dead lord). Musashi, who was hoping to become a vassal for the Province of Owari failed.

In 1627, he began traveling.......................................again. Around 7 years later, he would settle down with his other adopted son, Iori in the town of Kokura. During his stay in Kokura, He would serve the Shogunate to put down the Shimabara Rebellion alongside Iori, but because he was hit by a rock, he stood back from most of the Rebellion.

## His literary work

Musashi also did some literary work. In 1641, he wrote a strategy book called the "35 Instructions of Strategy" for his lord; Tadatoshi Hosokawa. Around 2 years later, he would go up to a nearby mountain cave called "Reigando".

It is here where Musashi would retire to, and meditate to give him time to write his most famous literary work "The Book of 5 Rings".

The Book of 5 Rings is about 5 segments of Musashi's travels as well as his style, Niten Ichi Ryu.

### Earth

This is basically like an introduction, on how to build up your life and even trains in martial arts as well as leadership.

### Water

This is where the book talks about Musashi's style of Niten Ichi Ryu with some of its basic techniques and some fundamental principles.

### Fire

This explains the fluidity of the battle itself, and how timing can change with a blink of an eye.

### Wind

Though this is open for interpretation, this tells you how other styles and methods of martial arts work.

### The Void

This is philosophical, and because of it, it's the hardest to master. But it said in the book that its (in a philosophical matter) about human knowledge and other things, in the matter of Zen Buddhism.

Before his death, Musashi would write another book; "The art of Walking Alone" which is about teaching self-reliance. A lot of misinformation surrounds Musashi's death as there are accounts that he was taken from the Reigando Cave and was brought to a nearby castle where he died. Some said that he laid dying in the cave, he used the last ounce of his strength to take a sheathed sword with his left hand and got onto one knee, and that is when he died.

Whatever happened to Musashi, his legacy lives on in Japan today as his book is still widely read and used in a lot of Japanese business strategy. During World War 2, there was a Japanese battleship named the Musashi. But Musashi's name is not just known in Japan, but the entire world.

Well, that'll do it for this edition of Japan's Interesting People, don't forget to check out my Games and Movies wikis. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.