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Japan History
Miyamoto Musashi: The Most Feared Samurai and Why
21
Mar
Mar
The Most Feared Samurai
Samurai’s bravery in the battlefield is exemplary, but who is the most feared Samurai during their time?
If you already read articles about the best Samurai, you could have thought of Tsukahara Bokuden, the guy who fought in 37 battles and 19 Samurai duels undefeated.
Tomoe Gozen could be the topic in this article too. The lady Samurai who collected the heads of his seven mounted enemies. She survived a battle against 6000 men with only 300 people on her side.
Unfortunately, though they are as deadly as what history recalls, we didn’t choose them.
Intimidation is a recipe for fear. In order to strike fear in the heart of your enemies, skill and intelligence are needed. No one has this aura more than Miyamoto Musashi.
Why is he one of the most feared Samurai? Let’s find out.
Miyamoto Musashi’s Early Life
Famed as the best swordsman who ever lived, Miyamoto Musashi was born between the 15th and 16th century. He was born into a Samurai family in the Harima province.
Just like all the best warriors known to man, Musashi started training to become a swordsman as a child. Shinmen Munisai, his father, taught him since it was a tradition for fathers to teach their kid Kenjutsu.
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His career as a swordsman started at a very young age. The name of his first opponent was Arima Kibei, a Samurai from Tajima province. Kibei misjudged the kid. Musashi threw him towards the ground and beat him with his Bokken until Kibei vomited blood.
History suggests that he killed Kibei in combat when he was only thirteen years old. This speaks to his impeccable skill in being a swordsman even as a kid. This kill, though not advisable for young men, will become one of the things that will define his name.
Battles Fought by the Most Feared Samurai
Musashi wants people to know that he’s a lone wolf. Little did the public know that he actually joined other battles. The Ronin didn’t mention it in the book he wrote, but he fought during the Battle for Sekigehara.
He actually was among those who attacked Fushimi Castle and defended the Gifu Castle. Musashi even fought against Ieyasu Tokugawa and again, sided with the losing side.
Historians believed that Musashi was still considered a formidable foe. He was able to come out alive and live while some of the more experienced soldiers died.
The Feared Samurai Musashi’s Duels
If you think that the one versus an army sword battle in movies is not possible, just continue reading.
Realizing that he’s better off alone, the feared Samurai went to Kyoto. He started dueling with the best sword-wielding men in town, and that’s when he comes across the Yoshioka clan.
This clan was the best family of swordsmen. Hardened by his previous war efforts, he fought Yoshioka Seijuro first. Seiguro is the master of the Yoshioka school. He is the head of the Yoshioka family as well.
Musashi easily defeated him and made him resign from his position. Seiguro’s brother and replacement, Deshichiro wanted to redeem their clan’s name, so he challenged Musashi too.
Sadly, Deshichiro didn’t just lose. Musashi cracked his head in the process and killed him instantly. This angered the whole clan, so they plotted to kill Musashi.
Still Undefeated
Deshichiro’s predecessor, Yoshioka Matashichiro, a twelve-year-old kid, rechallenged Musashi. This time, they are planning on assassinating him already. They asked him to duel with the kid at night.
Since night-time duels are not common back then, Musashi became suspicious. He came to the battle early and hid.
The boy came with his army ready to kill the feared Samurai. A whole clan of great swordsmen and archers hid around the duel site, not letting Musashi escape. Since Musashi had no choice but to fight, he surprisingly ran out of hiding and decapitated the boy.
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The army swarmed around Musashi, afraid that he’ll escape their grasp. Musashi fought the whole clan single-handedly and killed his attackers.
According to historians, this battle is where Musashi perfected the two-sword-fighting technique he created (It is called Niten Ichi-Ryu). He was able to withstand a wave of great warriors and escape. His killing of Matashichiro ended the Yoshioka Clan Kenjutsu School once and for all.
Sasaki Kojiro (The Archrival)
Aside from Musashi, Sasaki Kojiro, the Shogun’s instructor, was also making a name for himself. The two have differences and similarities.
Unlike Musashi, Kojiro was more concerned about how people will see him. Kojiro was someone who follows the Bushido Code perfectly. While Musashi, a Ronin, is not even taking a bath regularly.
Musashi is known for carrying two swords, while Kojiro used a No-Dachi, a longsword. The sword is challenging to use since it’s heavy, but Kojiro was strangely fast and accurate in using it.
This made Kojiro one of the feared swordsman in Japan. His battle with Musashi will be the most famous duel that Musashi will take part in.
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The Great Duel
Musashi and Kojiro agreed to fight each other on Ganryu Island on April 13, 1612. Kojiro, who was a by-the-book kind of person, showed up on time. Musashi, on the other hand, came late.
Showing up late has been Musashi’s technique ever since. He believes that it takes the focus away from his enemies, making them easy to defeat.
Musashi was not there on time, that’s why the organizers of the duel thought he’s scared of Kojiro. When Musashi arrived, Kojiro rushed towards him. Angered by his tardiness, Kojiro welcomed him by drawing his sword and throwing the scabbard away.
Kojiro attacked first, and that one mistake cost him his life. Some accounts said that Musashi broke his ribs and punctured his lungs, while the others said that Musashi slashed his throat with his Katana.
Later Life of the Feared Samurai
Buddhists educated Musashi in reading and writing. He then wrote two books to seal his impact on the history of Japanese martial arts. The lone Bushi taught Kenjutsu and wrote the Hyoho Sanju Go (The Thirty-Five Instructions on Strategy). Musashi also wrote the famous Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings). Aside from his martial arts career, he also paints self-portraits and naturescapes. Musashi died on June 13, 1645. a few months after writing his last book Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone).