 "Musashi Miyamoto (1584 - 1645)"
A man who was called the founder of two-sword style and established the origin of Bushido (the samurai spirit) is Musashi Miyamoto. Musashi had been proficient in swordplay from his childhood and devoted himself to the sword life by traveling around other districts until he was twenty-nine years old, that he was never defeated no less than sixty competitors since he defeated Kihei Arima who used the Shintouryu style of sword when he was only thirteen years old. Among those matches, the story of the duel with Kojiro Sasaki who was also one of the greatest swordsmen, so-called "The duel of Ganryujima Island" has been handed down and repeatedly covered on stages and in period dramas until today. One of the most famous scenes of the drama is that Musashi was late for the duel by two hours but it is thought that Musashi was late to irritate Kojiro Sasaki intentionally. As for their weapon, Kojiro Sasaki appeared with an extra long sword like a wash-line pole, by contrast, Musashi brought a sword made from an oar, which was shaved like sword shape. The winner of duel was Musashi. The reason why Musashi could defeat Kojiro by oar's sword was picked up on TV programs. They compared destructive power among wooden sword, oar's sword and iron pipe by using roof tiles. Consequently wooden sword broke three tiles, iron pipe broke seven and oar's sword did nine. The reason why oar's sword exerts biggest destructive power is that the barycentric position of oar's sword is located at the end of sword. It proves that Musashi did not rely only on his own sword skill but also use remarkable ability of judgment of the situation and insight. In that sense, Musashi might be a rationalist. Meanwhile, Musashi showed his ability as an artist such as a black-and-white painter and a sculptor. In his late years, he wrote the Book of Five Rings (Gorin no sho) and Dokko-do in which he composed strategy and spirit to enhance the humanity, which have been popular in the world even after three hundred and fifty years. "Gorin no sho" is classified into five scrolls named "Ground", "Water", "Fire", "Wind" and "Void", we'd like to introduce some phrases shortly. You may find out Musashi's passion included in his short words and spirits that he discovered from his experience of sword practice and the reason that "Gorin no sho" fascinates us even it passed over. "The Scroll of Ground": Basic way and attitude to strategy. In the Ground book, Musashi says that a person who devotes himself only on business is not attractive. You should take an interest in something and touch arts to cultivate you humanity. "The Scroll of Water": Spiritual bearing in strategy In the Water book, Musashi says that do not lose your self-possession anytime. "The Scroll of Fire": Explanation of the tactics for both individual battle and collective one. In the Fire book, Musashi says, "Examine your environment." "The Scroll of Wind": The comparison and investigation between other sword style and Musashi's style. In the Wind book, Musashi says, "Do not see things with your eyes, see with your own heart." "The Scroll of Void": The conclusion of the spirit of strategy Musashi says, "You will realize things in a wide sense, and taking the void as the way, you will find the way as void." end |