Wind picked up the scent of cherry blossoms and twirled it around the two opposing figures. The morning was drawing nigh, but the chill that precedes the sunrise had not yet left the air.

    “So where is your master, boy?” asked the larger of the two. Deep lines were carved into his face with a wide dark scar disturbing the symmetry. He wore a modest but sturdy armor and carried both wakizashi and a katana on his waist – the weapons of a samurai.
    “I am not used to leaving my bed so early anymore and especially when it is for no purpose” he continued, “So where is this man who signed up to test himself against me, Arima Kihei of the Kashima Shinto Ryu?”

    “It is only me for I have no master,” came a quiet response.

The old warrior laughed: “how can it be you? You are no more than a boy.”

    “I accept your challenge,” said the youngling.

    “With what, you fool. Where is your sword?” demanded the samurai. “Apologize while you still can and I might let you off with only a beating. Imagine that! A snot-faced brat with only a stick, challenging me, Arima Kihei of the Kash…”

    He could not finish his words for the boy dashed forward, raising his wooden weapon. Kihei pulled out his sword but the attacker changed direction and the blade hit nothing but air. With an accurate strike, the younger man tripped his foe and after hesitating for a heartbeat, he struck down and crushed the defeated samurai’s skull.

    “Here is my sword”, muttered the victor as he picked up the dead man’s katana.

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Early Life

Miyamoto Musashi was born in the end of 16th century. During that time Japan was in the midst of a long period of feudal wars. Warlords battled for supremacy with samurai acting as the backbone of their armies. Hard times produce hard men and this period is also called the Age of the Warrior. Musashi’s father was a stern man, a samurai, who taught _bushido_ (the way of a warrior) to his son. Before Musashi was ten years old, his mother had died and his father had abandoned him for unknown reasons. He was living in a temple with his uncle. There he was schooled in Buddhism and learned how to read and write.

First Duel

When Musashi was thirteen, he fought his first duel and killed his first man. He then went on to roam Japan as a ronin, a samurai without a master, learning as much as he could about martial arts. He visited many schools, learned as much as he could and then moved on, taking on all challengers on his travels. Some matches were a brutal sport, fought until the first blood or clean strike; others went on until the death. Musashi never lost a duel during his years as a travelling swordsman. He amassed a record of 60 high profile wins, comparable to nowadays heavyweight boxing champion beating 60 top contenders. Only that instead of gloves, they used swords.

A Cunning Fox

He was not only a masterful swordsman, but also adept in the tactics of war. When he dueled a great master from the Yoshioka School, he arrived to the battlegrounds hours after the scheduled meeting, knowing that this would anger his opponent. He was unwashed and wore rags, as that meant a great disrespect in the strict world of the samurai. Surely enough, his opponent was overwhelmed with emotion and Musashi defeated him with ease. Later he fought the brother of his vanquished opponent and used the same tactics. Once again he was victorious. Losing two of their finest warriors, the Yoshioka clan was furious. They set up a trap of archers and swordsmen and invited Musashi for a third, a mock duel. This time Musashi came hours earlier, hid in the bushes and waited. When his challengers appeared, he spurt out of his hiding place and struck their leader dead. Wielding two swords at the same time, he escaped the angry mob. When the dust settled, the Yoshioka School was destroyed and Musashi went on to develop his own martial art – the way of the two swords or “two heavens as one”.

Soldier for Hire

Not always a ronin, Musashi served under one of the most powerful factions in Japan, the Toyotomi family. They fought the Tokugawa clan for the right to rule Japan. Historical sources are divided in exactly what happened, but there is evidence that during the final clash between the two powers, the battle of Sekigahara, Musashi left the battlefield, as he thought that the war was lost and there was no purpose of sacrificing himself. A bit uncharacteristic to the myth of a samurai, but maybe it was the reason why the man survived to become a legend.

The Way of a Warrior Poet

In his twilight years, Musashi secluded to a life of a hermit. He lived in a cave, still practicing with the sword every day, but now focused primarily on fine arts as calligraphy, painting and sculpture. During those years, he wrote the Book of Five Rings – a text about his philosophy and martial art. It has survived centuries and is still studied today.
The masterful samurai was never defeated by another man. He succumbed to lung cancer during his seventh decade.

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This was part two of the series where I introduce you to some of the greatest warriors the world has ever seen.

Check out part one: Milo of Croton

As always, if you liked what you read, you can follow me @puukallistaja.
I appreciate your thoughts and would love to hear them in the comments.