Miyamoto Musashi: The Legendary Samurai Warrior.

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The Fresh Writes
Published in
7 min readMar 21, 2023

Who was Miyamoto Musashi?

Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, c. 1584 – 13 June 1645),[1] also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku,[2] was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and rōnin, who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 61 duels (next is 33 by Itō Ittōsai). Musashi, as he was often simply known, is considered a Kensei, a sword-saint of Japan.[3] He was the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū, or Nito Ichi-ryū, style of swordsmanship, and in his final years authored The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho) and Dokkōdō (獨行道, The Path of Aloneness). (Intro from Wikipedia)

Why he’s one of the greatest humans to ever step on earth:

Miyamoto Musashi followed a path of loneliness, a path not many are willing to take, a path to the top of the mountain.

“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain” — Miyamoto Musashi.

Musashi was involved in many duels throughout his life, and he is said to have won them all, one of his most famous fights was with Sasaki Kojiro, which Musashi won with a wooden sword that he carved from an oar on the boat ride over.

Miyamoto Musashi embodies the ideals of the samurai warrior: courage, discipline, and honor.

It is said that he barely interfered in sexual relationships just for the sake of following his path as this might bother him.

Miyamoto Musashi, He developed a set of principles that have influenced the martial arts and business worlds, as well as many other aspects of Japanese culture.

Here are some of Miyamoto Musashi’s principles:

1. Emptiness: Musashi believed that emptiness was the key to victory in combat. By emptying your mind of all distractions, you can focus on the task at hand and react quickly to your opponent's moves.

2. No-mind: Musashi believed that the mind should be free of all thoughts and emotions during combat. By having no-mind, you can react instinctively to your opponent's moves without being distracted by your own thoughts or emotions.

3. Adaptability: Musashi believed that it was important to be adaptable and to be able to change your strategy based on the situation. He believed that being too rigid in your approach would make you vulnerable to your opponent's moves.

4. Simplicity: Musashi believed that simplicity was the key to success in combat. By keeping your movements simple and direct, you can avoid wasting energy and make the most of your attacks.

5. Perseverance: Musashi believed that perseverance was essential to success in any endeavor. He believed that it was important to never give up, even in the face of adversity.

6. Self-reliance: Musashi believed that it was important to rely on yourself and not to depend on others for your success. He believed that by taking responsibility for your own actions, you could achieve greatness.

7. Mastery: Musashi believed that true mastery of any skill required a lifetime of dedicated practice and study. He believed that it was important to always be learning and improving, no matter how skilled you became.

These principles have been studied and applied in various fields, including martial arts, business, and personal development. They are a testament to the wisdom and insight of Miyamoto Musashi and his lasting legacy.

More information about Musashi:

Japanese swordsmanship, also known as Kenjutsu (剣術), is a martial art that has been practiced in Japan for centuries. It is the art of using a Japanese sword, or katana, in combat and has a rich history and tradition that has been passed down through generations of warriors.

The practice of swordsmanship in Japan can be traced back to the samurai warriors of the feudal era. These warriors were highly skilled in the art of combat and were trained in various martial arts, including Kenjutsu. Samurai were expected to be proficient in the use of the sword, as it was considered their primary weapon.

Kenjutsu is a complex art that involves not only the physical act of sword fighting, but also the mental and spiritual aspects of combat. Practitioners of Kenjutsu are taught to focus their minds and develop a heightened sense of awareness, which allows them to anticipate their opponent's movements and react quickly.

There are many different styles of Kenjutsu, each with its own unique techniques and philosophies. Some styles focus on the use of the sword alone, while others incorporate other weapons, such as the bow and arrow or the spear. Many Kenjutsu styles also include unarmed combat techniques, such as grappling and joint locks.

In addition to the physical training, Kenjutsu also emphasizes the importance of discipline, respect, and humility. Practitioners are expected to show respect to their teachers and fellow students, and to approach their training with humility and an open mind.

Today, Kenjutsu is still practiced in Japan and around the world, both as a martial art and as a means of cultural preservation. It continues to be an important part of Japanese culture and history, and is a testament to the skill and dedication of the samurai warriors who developed and perfected this art over centuries.

Famous Quotes By Miyamoto Musashi:

“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself."

“Do nothing that is of no use"

“Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men”

“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.”

“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.”

“Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie.”

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