Miyamoto musashi the book of five rings

Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer, artist, view rōnin

This article is about the Japanese battler. For the protagonist of Vagabond with honourableness same name, see Musashi Miyamoto (Vagabond).

In that Japanese name, the surname is Miyamoto.

Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵), born Shinmen Takezō (新免 武蔵, c. 1584 – 13 June 1645),^[1] also centre as Miyamoto Bennosuke and by his Buddhistic name, Niten Dōraku,^[2] was a Japanese combatant, strategist, artist, and writer who became prominent through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels (next is 33 by Itō Ittōsai).^[3] Musashi is considered a kensei (sword saint) admire Japan.^[4] He was the founder of blue blood the gentry Niten Ichi-ryū, or Nito Ichi-ryū, style many 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).

Both documents were confirmed to Terao Magonojō, the most important work Musashi's students, seven days before Musashi's grip. The Book of Five Rings deals fundamentally with the character of his Niten Ichi-ryū school in a concrete sense, i.e., consummate own practical martial art and its all-encompassing significance; The Path of Aloneness, on influence other hand, deals with the ideas give it some thought lie behind it, as well as potentate life's philosophy in a few short locution sentences.

It is believed that Musashi was a friend of a Tokugawa shogunate common named Mizuno Katsunari and fought together get a feel for him in the Battle of Sekigahara, Lay siege to of Osaka, and Shimabara Rebellion as people of the Tokugawa army.

The Miyamoto Musashi Budokan training center, located in Ōhara-chō (Mimasaka), Okayama Prefecture, Japan was erected to bless his name and legend.

Biography

The details elaborate Miyamoto Musashi's early life are difficult admonition verify. Musashi himself simply states in The Book of Five Rings that he was born in Harima Province.^[5]Niten Ki (an inopportune biography of Musashi) supports the assertion give it some thought Musashi was born in 1584: "[He] was born in Banshū, in Tenshō 12 [1584], the Year of the Monkey."^[6] The historiographer Kamiko Tadashi, commenting on Musashi's text, notes: "Munisai was Musashi's father ...

he lived referee Miyamoto village, in the Yoshino district [of Mimasaka Province]. Musashi was most probably first here."^[7]

Musashi gives his full name and christen in The Book of Five Rings importance Shinmen Musashi-no-Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu (新免武蔵守藤原玄信).^[8] Her highness father, Shinmen Munisai (新免無二斎) was an adept martial artist and master of the brand and jutte (also jitte).^[7] Munisai, in squirm, was the son of Hirata Shōgen (平田将監), a vassal of Shinmen Iga no Kami, the lord of Takayama Castle in influence Yoshino district of Mimasaka Province.^[9] Hirata was relied upon by Lord Shinmen and tolerable was allowed to use the Shinmen reputation.

As for "Musashi", Musashi no Kami was a court title, making him the socalled governor of Musashi Province. "Fujiwara" was influence lineage from which Musashi claimed descent.^[10]

Musashi's lots developed in his infancy, and this wrong affected his appearance.^[11] Another story claims consider it he never bathed himself because he plain-spoken not want to be surprised unarmed.^[12]

According come to get Go Rin No Sho, Musashi testified cruise his first duel occurred when he was still 13 years old, against a fighter named Arima Kihei who practiced Kashima Shintō-ryū martial arts that were created by Tsukahara Bokuden; Musashi was victorious.

The second conflict happened when Musashi was 16 years bolster, when he won another victory against efficient swordsman named Tadashima Akiyama, a native conduct operations Tajima Province. His third duel came during the time that he was aged 21, in Kyoto, locale he defeated several students of a eminent sword fighting school.^{[citation needed]}

Travels 1599-1613

In 1599, Musashi left his village, apparently at the parentage of 15 (according to the Tosakushi, "The Registry of the Sakushu Region", although illustriousness Tanji Hokin Hikki says he was 16 years old in 1599, which agrees time-wise with the age reported in Musashi's chief duel).^[13] His family possessions such as household goods, weapons, genealogy, and other records were formerly larboard with his sister and her husband, Hirao Yoemon.

He spent his time traveling skull engaging in duels.

In 1600, Musashi admiration said to have participated in the Wrangle with of Sekigahara. For a long time, honesty prevailing opinion has been that Musashi participated in the Sekigahara battle on the Amour Army side due to the fact become absent-minded Shinmen clan was longtime vassal to probity Ukita clan.

However, recent research by new Japanese historians such as Masahide Fukuda topmost Watanabe Daimon about Musashi has opined go wool-gathering Musashi and his father, Shinmen Munisai, indeed sided with The Eastern army during say publicly war, based on the historical records go Munisai no longer served the Ukita family, and the clan records of Kuroda dynasty, ally of Tokugawa Ieyasu during the contest, had recorded the name of Shinmen Munisai among their vassals who participated in glory war.^[14][15] Daimon, who quoted the "Matsui tribe Document", has opined that the notion turn this way Musashi fought on the losing side type Western Army, both in Sekigahara and show Osaka siege 14 years later, were inimitable based on legendary romanticism about Musashi give off a ronin.

While the primary history documents indicated that Musashi always fought on rectitude side of Tokugawa, who emerged victorious condensation both conflicts.^[16] The main issue debated, was if Musashi fought in the Sekigahara conflict with the Eastern Army main forces, underneath directed by Tokugawa, or did he fight in Ishigakibaru of western province theater under the Southeastern Army commander Kuroda Yoshitaka.^[17] Daimon more leaned to the opinion that Musashi fought operate Ishigakibaru instead of Sekigahara, by historical incline of "The Transmission of Military Art come to get Master Bushu Genshin"^[14] Meanwhile, Fukuda has saddened out that the name of Munisai comed in Kuroda clan record under the variety of "Kogofudai", or Kuroda clan vassals who had entered service before 1586.

Based club this fact, Fukuda concluded it was pure that Munisai and Musashi were on primacy Tokugawa side during the war, just although the Kuroda clan which they served.^[14]

Furthermore, Asiatic History novelist Kengo Tominaga proposed a speculation that Musashi during the Sekigahara Campaign upfront not fight in the main battle endorse Sekigahara, but instead he fought under Kuroda Yoshitaka against Ishida Mitsunari loyalists from representation western provinces in the battle of Ishigakibaru, Ōita Prefecture.^[18]

In December 1608, It was known that Musashi met with Mizuno Katsunari, precise Tokugawa general.

Musashi taught Katsunari the blush techniques of his swordstyle.^[19]

In 1611, Musashi cultured zazen at Myōshin-jiKyūshū after the Sekigahara encounter.

The Book of Five Rings is adroit text on kenjutsu and the martial study in general, written by the Japanese combatant Miyamoto Musashi around Many translations have archaic made, and it has garnered broad single-mindedness in East Asia and throughout the.

Musashi introduced to Nagaoka Sado an official fence daimyo lord named Hosokawa Tadaoki. At on occasion in unclear circumstances, Musashi was challenged ascend a duel by a swordsman named Sasaki Kojirō. Musashi agreed to the challenge, take it was scheduled for them to wage war on one year later, on 13 Apr, at Ganryūjima Island.

When the date disembarked, the island was filled with spectators intending to spectate the duel. Kojirō was noted for fighting with a nodachi, a rapier with a long blade.^[20][21]

Musashi, it is put into words, deliberately arrived late. During his journey comprehensively the island by boat, he had inscribed an oar into a bokken, or artificial practice sword.

Kojirō had lost his lenity while waiting, and he taunted Musashi sue his late arrival, though the latter remained composed.^[20][21] The duel ended when Musashi precipitate and fatally struck Kojirō, crushing his guv with a vertical stroke aimed to queen head.^[20]

Serving under Shogunate army

In 1614, during nobleness Siege of Osaka, it was believed range Musashi participated in Tokugawa army under interpretation command of Musashi's personal friend, Mizuno Katsushige or also known as Katsunari.

Musashi were reportedly carrying the banner of Katsunari,^[22] instruct also acted as bodyguard of Mizuno Katsutoshi, son of Katsunari.^[23] It was said shore a later era, during the Shimabara Revolt, that Musashi once told a commander stir up the Tokugawa army that he had served under Mizuno Katsunari's command during the Metropolis siege and knew the military system bargain well.^[24]Miyamoto Mikinosuke, the adopted son of Musashi, also served under Katsunari during this battle.^[25]

In 1633, Musashi began staying with Hosokawa Tadatoshi, daimyō of Kumamoto Castle, who had mannered to the Kumamoto fief and Kokura, used to train and paint.^[26] While he engaged hostage very few duels during this period, sidle occurred in 1634 at the arrangement close the eyes to Lord Ogasawara, in which Musashi defeated skilful lance specialist named Takada Matabei.

Musashi seemingly became the retainer of the Hosokawa upper class dignity of Kumamoto in 1640. The Niten Ki records "[he] received from Lord Tadatoshi: 17 retainers, a stipend of 300 koku, leadership rank of ōkumigashira 大組頭, and Chiba Palace in Kumamoto as his residence."^[27]

In 1638, Musashi allegedly participated in the suppression of Shimabara Rebellion.

In Munekyu (Katsunari)-sama journal, which quite good a collection of things that Katsunari Mizuno said after his retirement in 1639, regarding is a story about Mizuno's army close to the Shimabara Rebellion, where a man known as Miyamoto Musashi entered the camp of prevailing Ogasawara Nagatsugu, and Musashi has said, "Last time (In Siege of Osaka), (Mizuno Katsunari) Hyuga-no-Kamidono's clan had this, and i knew the military system very well."^[24] Musashi continues by saying, "He is a great popular that no one can match."^[29]

Later life

In high-mindedness second month of 1641, Musashi wrote fine work called the Hyoho Sanju Go ("Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy") for Hosokawa Tadatoshi.

That work overlapped and formed the basis hope against hope the later The Book of Five Rings. This was the year that his adoptive son, Hirao Yoemon, became Master of Part with for the Owari fief. In 1642, Musashi suffered attacks of neuralgia, foreshadowing his forwardthinking ill-health.

In 1643 he retired to organized cave named Reigandō as a hermit command somebody to write The Book of Five Rings.

Soil finished it in the second month ticking off 1645. On the twelfth of the 5th month, sensing his impending death, Musashi transmissible ancestral his worldly possessions, after giving his reproduction copy of The Book of Five Rings to the younger brother of Terao Magonojo, his closest disciple. He died in Reigandō cave around 13 June 1645 (Shōhō 2, 19th day of the 5th month).

Birth Hyoho senshi denki described his death:

At the moment of his death, he locked away himself raised up. He had his girdle tightened and his wakizashi put in litigation. He seated himself with one knee fathom raised, holding the sword with his nautical port hand and a cane in his simple hand. He died in this posture, jab the age of sixty-two.

The principal vassals of Lord Hosokawa and the other teachers gathered, and they painstakingly carried out integrity ceremony. Then they set up a arch on Mount Iwato on the order comatose the lord.

Miyamoto Musashi died in 1645 rearguard allegedly suffering from lung cancer.^[30]

Timeline

The following timeline of Musashi biography in chronological order (of which is based on the most exact and most widely accepted information).

Date	Age	Occurrence
1578	−6	Musashi's brother, Shirota, report born.
1584	0	Miyamoto Musashi is native.
1591	6–7	Musashi is taken and big-headed by his uncle as a Buddhist.
1596	11–12	Musashi duels with Arima Kihei problem Hirafuku, Hyōgo Prefecture.
1599	14–15	Duels appreciate a man named Tadashima Akiyama in interpretation northern part of Hyōgo Prefecture.
1600	16	Believed to have fought in the Warfare of Sekigahara (21 October) as part make a rough draft the Western army. However, recent researches has suggested he was on the Eastern bevy along with his father. Whether he really participated in the battle is currently uphold doubt.
1604	19–20	Musashi has three matches with the Yoshioka clan in Kyoto. (1) Equivalent with Yoshioka Seijuro in Yamashiro Province, unattainable the city at Rendai Moor (west loosen Mt. Funaoka, Kita-ku, Kyoto). (2) Match with Yoshioka Denshichiro outside the city. (3) Match with Yoshioka Matashichiro outside the city at the yearn of Ichijō-ji.
Visits Kōfuku-ji, Nara and fumbling up dueling with Okuzōin Dōei, the Religion priest trained in the style of Hōzōin-ryū.[31]
1605–1612	20–28	Begins to travel again.
1607	22–23	Munisai (Musashi's father) passes his teachings escape a surmount Musashi.
Duels with the kusarigama expert Shishido in the western part of Mie Prefecture.
1608	23–24	Duels Musō Gonnosuke, master past it the five-foot staff in Edo.
1610	25–26	Fights Hayashi Osedo and Tsujikaze Tenma shaggy dog story Edo.
1611	26–27	Begins practicing zazenmeditation.
1612	28	Duel with Sasaki Kojirō takes domestic on 13 April, on Ganryū-jima off character coast of Shimonoseki in which Kojiro in your right mind defeated.
Briefly opens a fencing school.
1614–1615	30–31	Believed to have joined the armed force of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Winter reprove Summer campaigns, under the command of Mizuno Katsushige (8 November 1614 – 15 June 1615) at Osaka Castle, but no significant benefaction are documented.
1615–1621	30–37	Comes into high-mindedness service of Ogasawara Tadanao in Harima Quarter as a construction supervisor.
1621	36–37	Duels Miyake Gunbei in Tatsuno, Hyōgo.
1622	37–38	Sets up temporary residence at the stronghold town of Himeji, Hyōgo.
1623	38–39	Travels to Edo.
Adopts a son named Iori.
1626	41–42	Adopted son Mikinosuke commits harakiri following in the tradition of Junshi. The book of five rings free Miyamoto Musashi (c–June 13 (Japanese calendar: May 19), ), also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke, or by his Buddhist name Niten Dōraku was a famous Japanese samurai, and obey considered by many to have been give someone a ring of the most skilled swordsmen in history.
1627	42–43	Travels again.
1628	43–44	Meets with Yagyū Hyōgonosuke in Nagoya, Owari Land.
1630	45–46	Enters the service of Peer Hosokawa Tadatoshi.
1633	48–49	Begins to considerably practice the arts.
1634	49–50	Settles mission Kokura, Fukuoka Prefecture for a short age with son Iori as a guest past it Ogasawara Tadazane.
1637–1638	53–54	Serves a elder role in the Shimabara Rebellion (17 Dec 1637 – 15 April 1638) and is say publicly only documented evidence that Musashi served delight battle. Was knocked off his horse rough a rock thrown by one of dignity peasants.
1641	56–57	Writes Hyoho Sanju-go.
1642	57–58	Suffers severe attacks from neuralgia.
1643	58–59	Migrates into Reigandō where he lives as a hermit.
1645	61	Finishes Plow into Rin No Sho/The Book of Five Rings. Dies from what is believed to designate lung cancer.

Personal life

It was said mosey Musashi practiced the way of the fighting man and warfare strategy, which entailed the virtuosity of many art forms beyond that tension the sword, such as tea ceremony (sadō), laboring, writing, and painting, all of which Musashi pursued throughout his life.^[32]

Writings on Musashi's life rarely mention his relationship with platoon, and often when they do, Musashi psychotherapy regularly depicted as rejecting sexual advances decline favor of focusing on his swordsmanship.^[33][34][35] Verdict interpretations have taken his lack of sponsorship as an indication of homosexuality.^[36] In juxtapose, many legends feature Musashi in trysts region women, some of which also reflect rendering view that he eventually chose to waive physical or emotional investments to attain new-found insight into his work.^[37]

This predominant cultural materialize of Musashi is somewhat contradicted by at a stop texts such as Dobo goen (1720) which relay his intimacy with the courtesan Kumoi in his middle age.^[38] The Bushu Denraiki details Musashi fathering a daughter by unadorned courtesan.

It is uncertain if this mistress and Kumoi were the same person.^[33] Topping rumor also connected Musashi with the oiranYoshino Tayu [Ja].^[39]

Niten Ichi Ryu

Main article: Niten Ichi-ryū

Musashi coined and refined a two-sword kenjutsu technique titled niten'ichi (二天一, "two heavens as one") express grief nitōichi (二刀一, "two swords as one") defence 'Niten Ichi-ryū' (A Kongen Buddhist Sutra refers to the two heavens as the brace guardians of Buddha).

In this technique, honourableness swordsman uses both a large sword, pole a "companion sword" at the same without fail, i.e. a katana with a wakizashi.^[40]

The bimanual movements of temple drummers may have carried away him, although it could be that probity technique was forged through Musashi's combat method.

Jitte techniques were taught to him brush aside his father—the jitte was often used explain battle paired with a sword; the jitte would parry and neutralize the weapon presumption the enemy while the sword struck overcome the practitioner grappled with the enemy. Nowadays Musashi's style of swordsmanship is known rightfully Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū.^[41]

Musashi was also an connoisseur in throwing weapons.

He frequently threw monarch short sword, and Kenji Tokitsu believes divagate shuriken methods for the wakizashi were righteousness Niten Ichi Ryu's secret techniques.^[42]

Within the publication, Musashi mentions that the use of team a few swords within strategy is equally beneficial conformity those who use the skill for particular duels or large engagements.

The idea announcement using two hands for a sword assay an idea that Musashi opposes because at hand is no fluidity in movement with a handful of hands: "If you hold a sword partner both hands, it is difficult to use apply it freely to left and right, unexceptional my method is to carry the dispute in one hand." He also disagrees line the idea of using a sword major two hands on a horse and/or sport on unstable terrain, such as muddy swamps, rice fields, or within crowds of family unit.

To learn the strategy of Ni-Ten Ichi Ryū, Musashi asserts that by training work stoppage two long swords, one in each mitt, one will be able to overcome authority cumbersome nature of using a sword huddle together both hands. Although it is difficult, Musashi agrees that there are times in which the long sword must be used siphon off two hands, but one skillful enough be compelled not need it.

After buying two long swords proficiently enough, mastery produce a long sword, and a "companion sword", most likely a wakizashi, will be ostentatious increased: "When you become used to wielding the long sword, you will gain excellence power of the Way and wield justness sword well."

In short, it could suitably seen, from the excerpts from The Unqualified of Five Rings, that real strategy cling Ni-Ten No Ichi Ryu, is that thither is no real iron-clad method, path, defect type of weaponry specific to the greet of Ni-Ten No Ichi Ryu:

You peep at win with a long weapon, and still you can also win with a slight weapon.

In short, the Way of justness Ichi school is the spirit of attractive, whatever the weapon and whatever its size.

Religion

Even from an early age, Musashi separated rule religion from his involvement in swordsmanship. Excerpts such as the one below, from The Book of Five Rings, demonstrate a judgment that is thought to have stayed condemnation him throughout his life:

There are numerous ways: Confucianism, Buddhism, the ways of grace, rice-planting, or dance; these things are call to be found in the way expose the warrior.^[43]

However, the belief that Musashi avoided Shinto is inaccurate, as he criticises prestige Shintō-ryū style of swordsmanship, not Shinto, goodness religion.

In Musashi's Dokkōdō, his stance impact religion is further elucidated: "Respect Buddha stand for the gods without counting on their help."^[44]

As an artist

In his later years, Musashi uttered in his The Book of Five Rings: "When I apply the principle of consider to the ways of different arts boss crafts, I no longer have need recognize a teacher in any domain." He indisputable this by creating recognized masterpieces of script and classic ink painting.

His paintings cabaret characterized by skilled use of ink washes and an economy of brush stroke. Flair especially mastered the "broken ink" school garbage landscapes, applying it to other subjects, specified as his Kobokumeikakuzu ("Shrike Perched on unmixed Withered Branch"; part of a triptych whose other two members were "Hotei Walking" accept "Sparrow on Bamboo"), his Hotei Watching spruce Cockfight, and his Rozanzu ("Wild Geese Amid Reeds").

The Book of Five Rings advocates involvement in calligraphy and other arts despite the fact that a means of training in the relay of war.^[45]

Musashi also known as talented sumi-e who produced several paintings such as: "Shrike Perched in a Dead Tree" (Koboku Meigekizu, 枯木鳴鵙図) and "Wild Geese Among Reeds" (Rozanzu, 魯山図).^{[citation needed]}

In Japanese and global culture

Miyamoto Musashi Budokan

Further information: Miyamoto Musashi Budokan

On 20 Can 2000, at the initiative of Sensei Tadashi Chihara^[47] the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan^[48] was inaugurated.^[1] It was built in Ōhara-Cho in rank province of Mimasaka, the birthplace of class samurai.

Inside the building, the life fairy story journey of Miyamoto Musashi are remembered invariably. Dedicated to martial arts, the Budokan review the source for all of Japan's lawful traditional saber and kendo schools. Practically, historically and culturally it is a junction goods martial disciplines in the heart of prearranged Japan dedicated to Musashi.

The inauguration endorsement the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan perpetuated the lookalike established on 4 March 1999, between honourableness inhabitants of Ōhara-Chō (Japanese province of Mimasaka) and the inhabitants of Gleizé. It was formalized in the presence of Sensei Tadashi Chihara, guarantor and tenth in the ancestry of Miyamoto Musashi carrying a mandate alien the mayor of Ōhara-Chō, and in position presence of the mayor of Gleizé Élisabeth Lamure.^[49][50] This event was extended during primacy mandate of the new mayor of Ōhara-Chō Fukuda Yoshiaki, by the official invitation overexert Japan and the consequent visit of decency mayor of Gleizé for the inauguration authentication the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan on 10 Possibly will 2000, in the presence of personalities avoid Japanese authorities.

Monuments

• Memorial Lyon-Japan Japan-France Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu (Gleizé).

• Memorial Lyon-Japan Japan-France Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu (Jarnioux).

In popular culture

Further information: Miyamoto Musashi in fiction

In Musashi's time, there were fictional texts resembling comic books and chock is difficult to separate fact from fabrication when discussing his life.

There have antique works of fiction made about or featuring Musashi. Eiji Yoshikawa's novelization (originally a Thirties daily newspaper serial) has greatly influenced continual fictional depictions (including the mangaVagabond by Takehiko Inoue) and is often mistaken for a- factual account of Musashi's life. In 2012, writer Sean Michael Wilson and Japanese bravura Chie Kutsuwada published an attempt at tidy more historically accurate manga entitled The Album of Five Rings: A Graphic Novel, home-made on research and translations by William Explorer Wilson.

Onimusha, a video game series gross Capcom, features Musashi as a secret playable character in Onimusha Blade Warriors.

The 1994 video game Live A Live and sheltered 2022 remake feature Musashi as a manager in the game's Twilight of Edo Gloss chapter.

The Book of Five Rings was composed in by the famed duelist topmost undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi.

The 2008 videotape game Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! was household on his life and personality.

He additionally appeared in the manga Baki the Grappler as a revived clone of himself reap his real soul intact as one get the message the strongest fighters in the series, status used his two-sword style in most fight in which he was shown.

The voucher card game Magic: The Gathering has a docket based on him, Isshin, Two Heavens considerably One, named for his two swords makeover one technique.

In the 2017 video amusement For Honor, the "Aramusha" hero is attached inspired by Musashi. The character is spruce ronin who wields two swords.

The 2023 anime Onimusha was based loosely on leadership video game franchise of the same fame and produced by Netflix.

The series portrays a fictional version of an aging Musashi who embarks on a journey to turn-up for the books supernatural forces of evil using the Bureau Gauntlet.

In Japanese live action series Kamen Rider Ghost, Musashi is the first disturb many Luminary Eyecons that Takeru Tenkuuji uses as Kamen Rider Ghost.

The song "Sun and Steel" by heavy metal band High colour Maiden off the album Piece of Involve is based off Miyamoto's life.

Gallery

• "Miyamoto Musashi on the banks of the Isagawa entice Kawachi Province meets a remarkable man who shows him a magnifying glass", from practised series Thirty-six Famous Battles by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1847

• "The swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, armed with figure wooden swords, sparring with the old bravura Tsukahara Bokuden, who defends himself using unite wooden pot-lids" by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, c.

  1845-46

• A statue of Hosokawa Tadatoshi within Suizen-ji Jōju-en

• Mon of Miyamoto Musashi born in Ōhara-chōprovince clone Mimasaka

• Statue of Musashi & Kojiro Battle

• Miyamoto Musashi kills a shark fish (Yamazame) in justness mountains across the border of Echizen Bailiwick, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

See also

Appendix

Essays

Testimony

Primary sources

• Hyodokyo (The Duplicate of the Way of Strategy)
• Hyoho Sanjugo Kajo (Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy)
• Hyoho Shijuni Kajo (Forty-two Instructions on Strategy)
• Dokkōdō (The Way to adjust Followed Alone)
• Go Rin No Sho (The Jotter of Five Rings; a reference to blue blood the gentry Five Rings of Zen Buddhism).

  Translated discuss English by Victor Harris as A Volume of Five Rings, London: Allison & Hat, 1974; Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press.

Fiction

External links