The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman.
Miyamoto Musashi was the child of an era when Japan was emerging from decades of civil strife. Lured to the great Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 by the hope of becoming a samurai-without really knowing what it meant-he regains consciousness after the battle to find himself lying defeated, dazed and wounded among thousands of the dead and dying. On his way home, he commits a rash act, becomes a fugitive and brings life in his own village to a standstill-until he is captured by a weaponless Zen.
The Book of Five Rings (五輪書 Go Rin No Sho) is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general, written by the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645. There have been various translations made over the years, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders find its discussion of conflict and taking the advantage to be relevant to their work. The modern-day Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū employs it as a manual of technique and philosophy.
Musashi establishes a "no-nonsense" theme throughout the text. For instance, he repeatedly remarks that technical flourishes are excessive, and contrasts worrying about such things with the principle that all technique is simply a method of cutting down one's opponent. He also continually makes the point that the understandings expressed in the book are important for combat on any scale, whether a one-on-one duel or a massive battle. Descriptions of principles are often followed by admonitions to "investigate this thoroughly" through practice rather than trying to learn them by merely reading.
Musashi describes and advocates a two-sword style (nitōjutsu): that is, wielding both katana and wakizashi, contrary to the more traditional method of wielding the katana two-handed. However, he only explicitly describes wielding two swords in a section on fighting against many adversaries. The stories of his many duels rarely reference Musashi himself wielding two swords, although, since they are mostly oral traditions, their details may be rather inaccurate. Some suggest that Musashi's meaning was not so much wielding two swords "simultaneously", but rather acquiring the proficiency to (singly) wield either sword in either hand as the need arose.[citation needed] However, Musashi states within the volume that one should train with a long sword in each hand, thereby training the body and improving one's ability to use two blades simultaneously, though the aim of this was only for training purposes and wasn't meant to be a viable fighting style.
My first duel was when I was thirteen, I struck down a strategist of the Shinto school, one Arima Kihei. When I was sixteen I struck down an able strategist Tadashima Akiyama. When I was twenty-one I went up to the capital and met all manner of strategists, never once failing to win in many contests.
After that I went from province to province dueling with strategist of various schools, and not once failed to win even though I had as many as sixty encounters. This was between the ages of thirteen and twenty-eight or twenty-nine.
Niten Ichi Ryu
Musashi named his two-sword kenjutsu technique "Niten Ichi Ryu" ("two heavens as one") or "Nito Ryu" ("the school of the two swords"). Some historians believes that Musashi was inspired to create his unique Kenjutsu style after watching the performance of the Japanese taiko drum. Some other scholars believes that Musashi was inspired by his father’s sword fighting style that was utilized both the katana and the jutte simultaneously.
Since there is no fluidity of movement when both hands are used, Musashi did not support the use of both hands on the sword. His explanation was that if a sword was held in both hands it would not be easy to wield it freely to either side. Musashi also objected to the use of both hands when one is on horseback or riding in marshes, fields, or among people.
Having mastered the simultaneous use of two swords, Musashi declared that his technique would considerably improve one’s mastery of a longsword and a companion sword, such as wakizashi. His argument was that if you master the art of wielding the long sword, you will naturally have acquired the power of the Way, and you will thus be able to wield the other sword as well.
Musashi's technique was totally against tradition as most swordsmen of the time were in the habit of holding the katana with both hands. One tremendous advantage of Musashi’s technique was that it was sophisticated, efficient and powerful. It involved no flashy, impulsive, or unwanted movements. Another great advantage was that it offered perfect distancing and timing. Consequently, the attack would be very tight and there would be no wasteful movements.
The unique sword style developed by Musashi; that is, using a katana and a wakizashi together, has been praised for how it facilitates the efficient use of both weapons at the same time. The method also has several single sword techniques as well as throwing methods. For example, Musashi used to throw his wakizashi during the fight.
It should be noted that the Niten Ichi Ryu style was designed from Musashi's direct experience. Within this style, one can discern the passion for innovation and perfection shown by a master swordsman. Although this method has become famous mainly because of the practice of simultaneously using two swords, it also involves techniques with the tachi (a single long sword), kodachi (a short sword), and the bo (a long wooden stick).
Musashi became renowned as a master of throwing weapons. He quite often threw his short sword perfectly. Kenji Tokitsu strongly believes that the real secret technique of Niten Ichi Ryu was the shuriken technique for the wakizashi.
Today, Yoshimoti Kiyoshi continues the long lineage of the great Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu style as a member of its 12th generation of practitioners.
Duel 1 - Yoshioka Seijuro
Yoshioka Seijuro, master of the Yoshioka School and head of the Yoshioka family, was challenged to a duel by Musashi. Seijuro eagerly accepted the duel, and both men decided to fight outside of Rendaiji Temple in Northern Kyoto on March 8, 1604.
As a part of his strategy, Miyamoto Musashi arrived late on the day of the fight. Seijuro was greatly irritated and lost his temper with Musashi, judging his behavior to be unacceptable. As they had previously agreed, the duel was to be fought with a bokuto (wooden sword) and the winner would be declared by a single blow.
They faced off and took the on-guard position. In an instant, Musashi hit Seijuro's shoulder with his wooden sword, knocking him off his feet and breaking his left arm. Musashi won the duel. With his soul tormented by dishonor, Yoshioka Seijuro retired from the warrior's life and became a monk in a Zen order.
Seijuro's brother, a brilliant swordsman named Yoshioka Denshichiro, became the head of the Yoshioka Family and later challenged Musashi to regain his family's honor and avenge his brother's defeat.
Duel 2 - Yoshioka Denshichiro
The duel was to be held at Sanjusangendo (see image), a Buddhist temple in the Higashiyama District of Kyoto, which was famous for its thousand statues of Kannon, the Shinto goddess of mercy and compassion.
As with his last duel, Miyamoto Musashi once again arrived late to fight Denshichiro. This time, it was a duel to the death. Musashi was armed with a bokuto and Denshichiro had a staff reinforced with steel rings.
Musashi was mentally, technically and physically stronger than his skilled opponent. Seconds after the beginning of the duel, Musashi hit Denshichiro with his wooden sword, killing him instantly with a single blow to the head.
The Yoshioka Clan had become desperate with the death of Denshichiro Yoshioka, who was now the second head of the family to be defeated by Miyamoto Musashi. The head of the clan was now the 12-year old Yoshioka Matashichiro, who, like his predecessors, also challenged Musashi to a duel. At this point, the Yoshioka clan was ready to do anything to gain back their honor and reputation. They had to take Musashi down.
Duel 3 - Yoshioka Matashichiro
This time, the Yoshioka Clan decided that the duel between Yoshioka Matashichiro and Miyamoto Musashi was to be fought at night. It was unusual for nighttime duels to be requested, so Musashi, being suspicious, decided to arrive at the rendezvous point well before the time of the fight, and he waited in hiding for his enemy to come.
The boy arrived dressed in full armor with a party of well-armed retainers, archers, riflemen and swordsmen who were all determined to kill Musashi. They all hid nearby, and set a trap for Musashi, with Matashichiro acting as bait.
Musashi watched the action as he waited patiently, concealed in the bushes. When the moment was right, he left his hiding place, drew his sword, and ran towards the boy, cutting off his head. Seconds later, Matashichiro's men gathered around Musashi, trying to stop him from escaping.