This is the first installment in what will become a series of posts chronicling the baddest motherfuckers in the history of Japan. It may be a little cliche to start with Musashi, but if you don't know about this man you should.
Miyamoto Musashi is arguably one of the baddest, sword swinginest motherfuckers in the history of time.
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| Art by Phuong Possible |
He was born and raised in an area of Okayama-ken not far from where I am living, in the Mimasaka area. Expect an update to this post after I travel to the Musashi museum in the village of Ohara. He was trained by his father, Shinmen Munisai, in the art of the sword and jutte from a young age. It is said that at that time the jutte was effectively used in concert with the katana; the jutte could be used to neutralize an opponents weapon while the katana would strike the killing blow. No doubt this way of combat informed the fighting style of his school
Ni Ten Ichi Ryu which is still practiced today, and is characterized by the two sword fighting style Musashi mastered and passed on.
He fought, and won, his first duel at the age of 13 and after that it was on. No one could stop him. He talks about his first duel in his treatise on martial, the Go Rin No Sho, or Book of Five Rings. (I recommend the translation by William Scott Wilson) Arima Kihei, an exponent of Shinto-ryu kenjutsu, was travelling and fighting to hone his skill, and posted a public challenge. When the duel was scheduled Musashi showed up with a bo staff, knocked him down, and beat his ass with great severity.
Musashi left his home 3 years later and proceeded to continue dueling, as well as fighting in major battlefield engagements. He fought on the losing side of the
Battle of Sekigahara, a turning point in the campaign that would establish the Tokugawa Shogunate. After surviving the battle he sets off on a vagabond style quest to develop his swordmanship with no teacher and no master. He did enjoy the patronage of daimyo later in his life after he was well established as a travelling itinerant badass, and this patronage afforded him the opportunity to learn the ways of other art forms. Hagakure nut-huggers should take note that the baddest samurai forgoes conventionality in every way. (the Hagakure bandwagon will be the subject of a future, derisive post)
"Do not sleep under a roof. Carry no money or food. Go alone to places frightening to the common brand of men. Become a criminal of purpose. Be put in jail, and extricate yourself by your own wisdom." - Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
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| I haven't mentioned that many of his over 60 documented duels were won with wooden bokken against opponents with live blade, kusari-gama, yari, and rokushakubo. |
He proceeds to Kyoto, and singlehandedly decimates the Yoshioka school of fencing. A common theme in his martial art is finding a way to imbalance his opponent mentally, surprising them, and doing something highly unexpected. He arrives late to his first three duels with the top swordsmen of the Yoskioka school. They are seriously pissed, feel dishonored, and this means their technique is not on point. Musashi beats them all using his bokken. By the time the fourth brother gets a crack at Musashi the Yoshioka's have planned an ambush. However this time Musashi shows up early, hides in some bushes, and ambushes their sorry asses while they are all standing around waiting for him to show up late. That's how its done.
"Under the sword lifted high, There is hell making you tremble. But go ahead, And you have the land of bliss." - Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
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Daruma painting by Musashi
剣聖 - Kensei |
Musashi epitomizes the term Kensei, which means "sword saint". A Kensei surpasses the skill of their contemporaries and the word has connotations that go beyond technical skill to the realm of artistry. Musashi said that to truly know the nature of one Way is to know them all. His lasting fame into modern times has a great deal to do with his exploits with the sword, but can be credited in equal measure to his acumen as a strategic thinker, his painting, calligraphy, and sculpture. The Book of Five Rings is regarded as a strategic masterpiece read by politicians and businessmen as well as martial artists, and his art work is exhibited in the finest museums. His Way took him down the path of the swordsman, but his artistry was so great that he transcended his art form. That is why Miyamoto Musashi is one of the baddest motherfuckers in the history of Japan.
"The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things." - Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
