Question: The "Dokkōdō", is a short work written by Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵 ) a week before he died in 1645, "Dokkodo" was largely composed on the occasion of Musashi giving away his possessions in preparation for death, and was dedicated to his favorite disciple, Terao Magonojō (to whom the earlier "Go rin no sho" ["The Book of Five Rings"] had also been dedicated), The Book of Five Rings (五輪書 , "Go Rin no Sho" ) is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general, written by the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi circa which year?

Context articles: Dokkōdō
Takada Matabei
Miyamoto Musashi
The Book of Five Rings
The Lone Samurai
Terao Magonojō
Furuhashi Sōzaemon
Miyamoto Mikinosuke
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
Terao Motomenosuke

The "Dokkōdō" (Japanese: 獨行道 ) ("The Path of Aloneness", "The Way to Go Forth Alone", or "The Way of Walking Alone"), is a short work written by Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵 ) a week before he died in 1645.
 It consists of either 19 or 21 precepts; precepts 4 and 20 are omitted from the former version.
 "Dokkodo" was largely composed on the occasion of Musashi giving away his possessions in preparation for death, and was dedicated to his favorite disciple, Terao Magonojō (to whom the earlier "Go rin no sho" ["The Book of Five Rings"] had also been dedicated), who took them to heart.
 "Dokkōdō" expresses a stringent, honest, and ascetic view of life.
Takada Matabei (高田 吉次 , 1590 - March 4, 1671) a retainer under the current lord over the Ogasawara during the Edo period (17th century) of Japan.
 Matabei was renowned as a famous adept of the art of the lance.
 While the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi had currently been staying within Kokura, Matabei had visited him at many times as to receive his unique teachings.
 The lord of Ogasawara had at one time requested Matabei to duel Musashi.
 Matabei was compelled to fight even though he had not wanted to, as to obey his lord's command.
 Matabei chose to use a bamboo lance, while Musashi chose an ordinary sword made of wood.
 At the beginning of their duel, Matabei had at first attacked Musashi with his lance, in which Musashi had then calmly penetrated in close range using the middle-level guard and won two times.
 Matabei's lance had slid between Musashi's legs the third bout however.
 Due to this fact, Musashi said, ""I was touched, therefore I lost this time"".
 Musashi had then told all of the onlookers how much of an adept Matabei was with the lance.
 Matabei had later said after the duel, ""Master Musashi is a true adept whom I was unable to touch.
 It was to save my face that he acted as though I had won once out of three times"".
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵 , c. 1584 – June 13, 1645) , also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and rōnin.
 Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent and unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 60 duels (next is 33 by Itō Ittōsai).
 He was the founder of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū or Niten-ryū style of swordsmanship and in his final years authored "The Book of Five Rings" (五輪の書 , "Go Rin no Sho" ) , a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.
The Book of Five Rings (五輪書 , "Go Rin no Sho" ) is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general, written by the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645.
 There have been various translations made over the years, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders find its discussion of conflict and taking the advantage to be relevant to their work.
 The modern-day Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū employs it as a manual of technique and philosophy.
The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi (ISBN  ) is a biography of the Japanese samurai and swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
 It is written by William Scott Wilson, published by Kodansha International, and was first printed in 2004.
 It is possibly the first reliable reference on Musashi, since most of the previously known information is drawn from legends or fictional accounts.
Terao Magonojō (寺尾 孫之允 , 1611 – November 8, 1672) was a famed swordsman during the Edo period (17th century) of Japan.
 Magonojo was the elder brother of Terao Motomenosuke, the successor to the School of Musashi.
 Magonojo had been noted as Miyamoto Musashi's favorite student, to whom Musashi entrusted his "Gorin no sho" ("Book of Five Rings") before his death.
 Throughout Magonojo's earlier years, he had trained with the kodachi (short sword) with Musashi throughout many times.
 At one time when they were both training, Musashi had attacked Magonojo with a large wooden sword, in which Terao then parried with his short wooden sword and had counterattacked.
 After several repetitions of this action, Terao's sword had unfortunately broke while Musashi was in the middle of striking his sword downward from above.
 However, Musashi's sword had stopped just minutely from hitting the skin of Terao's forehead.
 Thus, Magonojo had received no injury.
 This degree of control had reflected well on Musashi's skills.
 Before the death of Magonojo's master, he had assumed the role of successor (which would go to his younger brother).
 It is thought that Magonojo had burned the original "Gorin no sho" through Musashi's orders because the complete original version cannot be found.
Furuhashi Sōzaemon (古橋 惣左衛門 , ?
 - ?)
 was a Japanese samurai of the early Edo period.
 Famed for his skill in swordsmanship.
 Sōzaemon, along with both Terao Magonojo, and his younger brother Terao Motomenosuke would be the legendary Miyamoto Musashi's three chosen successors.
 After their master's death, Sōzaemon had borrowed Magonojo's Gorin no sho (given by Musashi) for a few days, in which he made a copy of this book and gave it to Lord Hosokawa Mitsuhisa through his orders.
 Furuhashi himself would also make another copy of the book which was later transmitted to his disciples, which went by the name of "Ihon gorin no sho".
 The following copy ends with this notice:
Miyamoto Mikinosuke (????
-1626) a retainer of the Japanese clan of Honda during the Edo period (17th century) of Japan.
 Mikinosuke was famous for being the first of three adopted sons of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
 One day Miyamoto Musashi had been traveling on horseback along the Settsu road.
 At a certain inn at Nishinomiya, Musashi had seen a boy of fourteen or fifteen who had taken Musashi's horse for him.
 Musashi had perceived extraordinary qualities from this boy—Mikinosuke.
 Musashi then asked the boy, ""Wouldn't you like to become my son?
 I would find a good lord for you.""
.
 Mikinosuke replied, ""You are very kind to make such an offer, but I have old parents.
 The reason I am working as a hostler is to take care of them.
 If I became your adoptive son, my parents would immediately fall on hard times.
 I must therefore tell you no, with my thanks.""
.
 Musashi had then gone to Mikinosuke's house and met his parents.
 Musashi then had explained his plans to them, receiving their consent to adopt him.
 He then took Mikonosuke with him after giving a small sum or supportive money to his parents.
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵 ) (released in the United States as Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto) is a 1954 color (Eastmancolor) Japanese film by Hiroshi Inagaki starring Toshiro Mifune.
 It is the first film of Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy of historical adventures.
 The film is adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa's novel "Musashi".
 The novel is loosely based on the life of the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
 The film won a Special/Honorary Award at the 1955 Academy Awards for outstanding foreign language film.
Terao Motomenosuke (寺尾 求馬助 , 1621 – July 9, 1688) was a famed swordsman during the Edo period (17th century) of Japan.
 Motomenosuke would become rather famous for being the first successor to the School of Musashi that had been established by the legendary Miyamoto Musashi.
 When Musashi was aware of the fact that he was near death, he gave Motomenosuke both of his swords and a certificate of complete transmission.
 Motomenosuke later declined, and sent Musashi's swords and certificate to Miyamoto Iori (Musashi's adopted son) thinking it would be more fitting.
 Iori replied to Motomenosuke saying, ""I can be heir to the name and warrior's honor of Musashi, but I cannot take on the succession of his school.
 It is my wish that you, to whom Musashi passed on his art, succeed him.
 Please be kind enough to accept.""
.
 Thus, Motomenosuke accepted Musashi's request out of great respect and consideration toward his deceased master.
 Motomenosuke had a fourth son that he had seen potential within, a man by the name of Shinmen Bensuke whom he had later made the successor.
 Thus Motomenosuke would continue to expand the School of Musashi while reflecting great admiration towards his late master.