Miyamoto Musashi: Difference between revisions
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Unlike many historically renowned figures, documentation of Musashi's life is varied from source to source and with many missing or unknown details due to his constant travels and vagrancy from society. He is thus the subject of many stories spoken by word of mouth and oral history, from as far as legends and tall tales, although like most, it is hard to tell what is real and what is fiction. | Unlike many historically renowned figures, documentation of Musashi's life is varied from source to source and with many missing or unknown details due to his constant travels and vagrancy from society. He is thus the subject of many stories spoken by word of mouth and oral history, from as far as legends and tall tales, although like most, it is hard to tell what is real and what is fiction. | ||
In regards to what kinds of weapons Musashi probably wielded, he is most famous for being depicted with ''bokken'' or wooden swords, and the wood oar carved down into a larger ''suburito'' to close the distance with his infamous rival Kojiro Sasaki in his last and famous duel. Along with displaying and showcasing his mastery, the use of these weapons was also said to be attributed to his willingness to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and taking his opponent's life unless they were absolutely focused on taking his life. While the Musashi Masamune remains a possibility, Japanese sources range that the brands of ''katana'' Musashi wielded ranged from Kinju/Kaneshige of the Soshu-den school of swordsmithing, being one of Masamune's Ten Disciples; Shizu Kaneuji of Soshu-den, who along with Kinju, went on to form the Mino-den school of swordsmithing, which became to be known for its unmatched qualities of sharpness, and infamously, for hosting the accursed Muramasa; and Ryokai of the Yamashiro-den school of swordsmithing, which was the brand Musashi held in the last years of his life. | In regards to what kinds of weapons Musashi probably wielded, he is most famous for being depicted with ''bokken'' or wooden swords, and the wood oar carved down into a larger ''suburito'' to close the distance with his infamous rival Kojiro Sasaki in his last and famous duel. Along with displaying and showcasing his mastery, the use of these weapons was also said to be attributed to his willingness to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and taking his opponent's life unless they were absolutely focused on taking his life. While the Musashi Masamune remains a possibility, Japanese sources range that the brands of ''katana'' Musashi wielded ranged from Kinju/Kaneshige of the Soshu-den school of swordsmithing, being one of Masamune's Ten Disciples; Shizu Kaneuji of Soshu-den, who along with Kinju, was another of Masamune's Ten Disciples and together went on to form the Mino-den school of swordsmithing, which became to be known for its unmatched qualities of sharpness, and infamously, for hosting the accursed Muramasa; and Ryokai of the Yamashiro-den school of swordsmithing, which was the brand Musashi held in the last years of his life. | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
Revision as of 03:47, 24 October 2022
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵; 1584–1645) was a legendary Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and rōnin. Musashi was renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and a unbeaten 61 duel win streak. He was the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū style of swordsmanship, and authored The Book of Five Rings and Dokkodo. He was also the owner of the legendary sword Musashi Masamune.[1]
Two centuries after his death, Miyamoto's sword was believed to be owned by some lord in the capital. However it was a forgery, the true blade having been found and kept as a family heirloom by the Saigo Clan generations prior. At the time of the Boshin War, the sword was owned by Saigo Kayano, an incompetent samurai lord aligned with the Tokugawa shogunate. The Masamune then became a key target for the Templars, who tasked William Lloyd to steal it for Emperor Meiji, and the Assassins, who placed Nakano Takeko as Kayano's bodyguard to protect it. After Lloyd's attempt to steal the blade was ultimately thwarted by Takeko's protégé Shiba Atsuko, the sword was claimed by Matsudaira Katamori. The Masamune later fell into the hands of Lloyd during the Battle of Aizu though it was taken back by the Assassins.[1]
Behind the Scenes
Unlike many historically renowned figures, documentation of Musashi's life is varied from source to source and with many missing or unknown details due to his constant travels and vagrancy from society. He is thus the subject of many stories spoken by word of mouth and oral history, from as far as legends and tall tales, although like most, it is hard to tell what is real and what is fiction.
In regards to what kinds of weapons Musashi probably wielded, he is most famous for being depicted with bokken or wooden swords, and the wood oar carved down into a larger suburito to close the distance with his infamous rival Kojiro Sasaki in his last and famous duel. Along with displaying and showcasing his mastery, the use of these weapons was also said to be attributed to his willingness to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and taking his opponent's life unless they were absolutely focused on taking his life. While the Musashi Masamune remains a possibility, Japanese sources range that the brands of katana Musashi wielded ranged from Kinju/Kaneshige of the Soshu-den school of swordsmithing, being one of Masamune's Ten Disciples; Shizu Kaneuji of Soshu-den, who along with Kinju, was another of Masamune's Ten Disciples and together went on to form the Mino-den school of swordsmithing, which became to be known for its unmatched qualities of sharpness, and infamously, for hosting the accursed Muramasa; and Ryokai of the Yamashiro-den school of swordsmithing, which was the brand Musashi held in the last years of his life.
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Blade of Aizu (mentioned only)
References
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