Miyamoto Musashi's Rock
The undefeated swordsman and author of *The Book of Five Rings*.
Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1583 – 13 June 1645) was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist, and writer who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels. He is considered a kensei (sword saint) of Japan and founded the Niten Ichi-ryū style of swordsmanship. In his final years, Musashi authored *The Book of Five Rings* and *Dokkōdō*. Both documents were bequeathed to Terao Magonojō, his most important student, seven days before his death. The Miyamoto Musashi Budokan training centre in Ōhara-chō, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, was erected in his honour.
- Historical Era
- c. 1583 – 13 June 1645
- Referenced Figure
- Miyamoto Musashi (Real History)
- Setting Context
- Japan (Harima Province, Mimasaka Province, Kyoto, Kumamoto, Ganryu Island)
Lore & Background
Musashi writes in *The Book of Five Rings* that he was born in Miyamoto, a village in Harima Province. The historian Kamiko Tadashi notes that Musashi's father, Shinmen Munisai, lived in Miyamoto village in the Yoshino district of Mimasaka Province, and Musashi was most probably born there. Musashi gives his full name and title as Shinmen Musashi-no-Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu. His first duel occurred when he was 12–13 years old, against Arima Kihei, a swordsman practising Kashima Shintō-ryū. His second duel was at age 16 against Tadashima Akiyama. In 1599, Musashi left his village at age 15 or 16. His third duel, at age 21, was in Kyoto, where he defeated several students of a famous sword fighting school. Musashi duelled Sasaki Kojiro on 13 April at Ganryu Island, arriving deliberately late and using a bokken carved from an oar to fatally strike Kojiro with a vertical stroke to the skull.
In Their Own Story
In 1600, Musashi served in Kuroda Yoshitaka's army on the Eastern side and fought in the Battle of Ishigakihara and the Siege of Fuka Castle. Recent research by modern Japanese historians asserts that Musashi and his father, Shinmen Munisai, sided with the Eastern Army. Historian Masahide Fukuda determined that Munisai's name appeared in Kuroda clan records under the category of vassals who entered service before 1586, concluding it was natural that Munisai and Musashi were on the Tokugawa side. In December 1608, Musashi met with Mizuno Katsunari, a Tokugawa general, and taught him the secret techniques of his sword style. During the Siege of Osaka in 1614, Musashi participated in the Tokugawa army under Mizuno Katsushige (also known as Katsunari), carrying Katsunari's banner and acting as bodyguard to Mizuno Katsutoshi. In 1638, Musashi allegedly participated in the suppression of the Shimabara Rebellion, entering the camp of general Ogasawara Nagatsugu and stating he had served under Mizuno Katsunari's command during the Osaka siege and knew the military system very well. In 1640, Musashi officially became a retainer of the Hosokawa lords of Kumamoto, receiving 17 retainers, a stipend of 300 koku, the rank of ōkumigashira, and Chiba Castle in Kumamoto as his residence. In 1643, he retired to a cave, Reigandō, to write *The Book of Five Rings*, finishing it in the second month of 1645. He died around 13 June 1645.
Reader's Guide
Musashi's life is documented through his own writings and historical records. Key events include his undefeated record in 62 duels, his founding of the Niten Ichi-ryū style, and his authorship of *The Book of Five Rings* and *Dokkōdō*. His military service included the Battle of Ishigakihara, Siege of Fuka Castle, Siege of Osaka, and the Shimabara Rebellion, all on the side of the Tokugawa shogunate. His most famous duel was against Sasaki Kojiro on 13 April at Ganryu Island. In his later years, he served the Hosokawa lords of Kumamoto, receiving a stipend of 300 koku and the rank of ōkumigashira. He died on 13 June 1645, bequeathing his manuscripts to Terao Magonojō.
Did You Know?
- Musashi developed eczema during infancy, which had an adverse effect on his appearance.
- According to historian Kamiko Tadashi, Musashi never took a wife, cut his hair, or entered a bath for his entire life.
- Musashi carved an oar into a bokken (wooden practice sword) during his boat journey to Ganryu Island for his duel with Sasaki Kojiro.
- Musashi wrote *The Book of Five Rings* while living as a hermit in a cave called Reigandō.
- Musashi's adopted son, Miyamoto Mikinosuke, served under Mizuno Katsunari during the Siege of Osaka.