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Miyamoto
Musashi
A life of ultimate focus

Biography
• Miyamoto Musashi also known as Shinmen
Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist
name , Niten Dōraku, 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. Musashi, as he was often
simply known, is considered a Kensei , a sword-saint
of Japan. 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

The Book of Five
Rings
• A text on kenjutsu and the martial
arts in general, written by the Japanese
swordsman Miyamoto Musashi around
1645. The book teaches many things
among who are theme's of
focus,commitment and willpower. Since
Musashi was a budhist he also wrote
about their teachings.

Travels and duels
• In 1599, Musashi left his village, apparently at
the age of 15 (according to the Tosakushi,
"The Registry of the Sakushu Region",
although the Tanji Hokin Hikki says he was 16
years old in 1599, which agrees time-wise
with the age reported in Musashi's first
duel). His family possessions such as furniture,
weapons, genealogy, and other records were
left with his sister and her husband, Hirao
Yoemon. He spent his time traveling and
engaging in duels .

First ever duel
• According to the introduction of The Book
of Five Rings , Musashi states that his first
successful duel was at the age of 13,
against a samurai named Arima Kihei who
fought using the Kashima Shintōryū
style, founded by Tsukahara
Bokuden (b. 1489, d. 1571). The main
source of the duel is the Hyoho senshi
denki ("Anecdotes about the Deceased
Master"). Summarized, its account goes as
follows

Religion
• Even from an early age, Musashi separated his religion from
his involvement in swordsmanship. Excerpts such as the one
below, from The Book of Five Rings, demonstrate a
philosophy that is thought to have stayed with him
throughout his life:
• There are many ways: Confucianism, Buddhism, the ways of
elegance, rice-planting, or dance; these things are not to be
found in the way of the warrior.
• However, the belief that Musashi disliked Shinto is
inaccurate, as he criticises the Shintō-ryū style of
swordsmanship, not Shinto, the religion. In
Musashi's Dokkōdō
• , his stance on religion is further elucidated: "Respect
Buddha and the gods without counting on their help."