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{{Short description|Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer, artist, and rōnin}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2025}} 
{{family name hatnote|Miyamoto|lang=Japanese}}
{{Cleanup|reason=Article contains significant spelling, grammatical, formatting, and stylistic errors throughout.|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| native_name      = 宮本武蔵
| name             = Miyamoto Musashi
| native_name_lang = jp
| residence        = Japan
| other_names      = Niten Dōraku; Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu
| image            = File:Miyamoto Musashi Self-Portrait.jpg
| caption          = Self-Portrait, 1640’s
| birth_name       = Shinmen Bennosuke
| birth_date       = {{circa|1583}}
| birth_place      = [[Harima Province]] or [[Mimasaka Province]], Japan
| death_date       = {{death date and age|1645|6|13|1583|df=y}}
| death_place      = [[Higo Province]], Japan
| martial_art      = ''[[Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū]] [[Kenjutsu]]'' (二天一流), Enmei-ryu (圓明流), (二天流)
| students         = [[Takemura Yoemon]]; [[Terao Magonojō]]; [[Terao Motomenosuke]]; [[Furuhashi Sōzaemon]]
| children         = [[Miyamoto Mikinosuke|Mikinosuke]] (adopted)<br>Kurōtarō (adopted)<br>[[Miyamoto Iori|Iori]] (adopted)<br>[[Hirao Yoemon|Yoemon]] (adopted)
| module           = {{Infobox Chinese |child =yes
| kanji            = 宮本 武蔵
| romaji           = Miyamoto Musashi
}}
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Miyamoto Musashi'''|宮本 武蔵||{{IPA|ja|mʲi.ja.mo.to ({{pipe}}) mɯꜜ.sa.ɕi}},<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:新明解日本語アクセント辞典|edition=2nd|editor-last=Kindaichi|editor-first=Haruhiko|editor-link=Haruhiko Kindaichi|editor-last2=Akinaga|editor-first2=Kazue|publisher=[[Sanseidō]]|date=10 March 2025|lang=ja}}</ref> {{Circa|1583}}&nbsp;– 13 June 1645}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Tokitsu| first= Kenji| trans-title= Miyamoto Musashi: 17th century Japanese saber master: man and work, myth and reality| title= Miyamoto Musashi : maître de sabre japonais du XVIIe siècle : l'homme et l'œuvre, mythe et réalité |publisher= Editions désiris |year=1998|isbn=978-2907653541 | language= fr| pages=19, 20| oclc= 41259596 }}</ref> was a Japanese [[swordsman]], strategist, artist and writer who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miyamoto Mushashi: Samurai Legend |url= https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/miyamoto-mushashi-samurai-legend/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website= warfarehistorynetwork.com| publisher= Warfare History Network |language=en-US}}</ref>{{efn|The next highest record is by [[Itō Ittōsai]] with 33.{{cn|date= April 2025}}}} Miyamoto is considered a ''[[Kensei (honorary title)|kensei]]'' (sword saint) of Japan.<ref>{{cite book| first= Miyamoto| last= Musashi| translator= S. F. Kaufman |year= | edition= 1994| title= Book Of Five Rings| publisher= Tuttle Publishing| isbn= }}</ref> He was the founder of the [[Niten Ichi-ryū]] (or Nito Ichi-ryū) style of swordsmanship, and in his final years authored {{Nihongo|''[[The Book of Five Rings]]''|五輪の書|''Go Rin No Sho''}} and ''[[Dokkōdō]]'' (獨行道, ''The Path of Aloneness'').

Both documents were bequeathed to [[Terao Magonojō]], Miyamoto's most important student, seven days before Musashi's death. ''The Book of Five Rings''{{efn|A reference to the Five Rings of [[Zen Buddhism]]}} focuses on the character of his Niten Ichi-ryū school in a concrete sense; his own practical martial art and its generic significance. On the other hand, ''The Path of Aloneness'' deals with the ideas that lie behind it, as well as his life's philosophy in a few short aphoristic sentences. 

It is widely thought that both scriptures were to have been scheduled for burning due to a report from one of Musashi's disciples [[Furuhashi Sōzaemon]] who is said to have written about Musashi ordering his work to be burned; "''There are no written works in my school"''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bennett |first=Alex |title=The Complete Musashi |date=March 2, 2021 |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |isbn=9781955634021 |location=United States of America |pages=26 |language=English}}</ref>

It is believed that Miyamoto was a friend of [[Mizuno Katsushige|Mizuno Katsunari]], a [[Tokugawa shogunate]] general. They fought together in the [[Battle of Sekigahara]], [[Siege of Osaka]], and [[Shimabara Rebellion]] as part of the Tokugawa Army.

The [[Miyamoto Musashi Budokan]] training center in [[Ōhara, Okayama|Ōhara-chō]] ([[Mimasaka, Okayama|Mimasaka]]), [[Okayama Prefecture]], Japan, was erected in honor of him.

==Biography==
[[File:Miyamoto Musashi Birthplace.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Supposed birthplace of Miyamoto Musashi]]
Details of Miyamoto Musashi's early life are difficult to verify. Musashi writes in ''The Book of Five Rings'' (''Go Rin No Sho'') that he was born in Miyamoto, a village in [[Harima Province]].<ref name="FiveR-KT1963">{{cite book| first= Miyamoto| last= Musashi| title= Go Rin No Sho |trans-title= The Book of Five Rings | editor= Kamiko Tadashi |place= Tokyo | publisher= Tokuma-shoten| year= | edition= 1963| isbn= }}</ref>{{rp|13}} ''Niten Ki'', an early biography of Musashi, supports the assertion that Musashi was born in 1583. "[He] was born in [[Harima Province|Banshū]], in Tenshō 12 [1583],<ref name="route">{{cite book| title= Along the Samurai's Route| first= Jorge| last= Orpianesi |year= 2022| isbn= 9789878720210| publisher= Editorial Autores de Argentina | page= 130}}, quoting {{cite book| title= Tanji Hokin Hikki| trans-title= | place= Japan | publisher= | year= 1727| edition= |translator= | first= | last= | isbn= }}</ref> the Year of the Goat."<ref>Toyota, p. 239</ref> The historian Kamiko Tadashi, commenting on Musashi's text, notes: "Munisai was Musashi's father&nbsp;... he lived in Miyamoto village, in the Yoshino district [of [[Mimasaka Province]]]. Musashi was most probably born here."<ref name="FiveR-KT1963" />{{rp|18ff}}

Musashi gives his full name and title in ''The Book of Five Rings'' as '''Shinmen Musashi-no-Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu''' (新免武蔵守藤原玄信) .<ref name= FiveR-KT1963 />{{rp|13}} His father, [[Shinmen Munisai]] (新免無二斎) was an accomplished martial artist and master of the sword and ''[[jutte]]'' (also ''jitte'').<ref name= FiveR-KT1963 />{{rp|18ff}} Munisai, in turn, was the son of Hirata Shōgen (平田将監), a vassal of Shinmen ''Iga no Kami'', the lord of [[Takayama Castle]] in the Yoshino district of Mimasaka Province.<ref name= FiveR-KT1963 />{{rp|17ff}} Hirata was relied upon by Lord Shinmen and so was allowed to use the Shinmen name. "[[Fujiwara clan|Fujiwara]]" was the lineage from which Musashi claimed descent.<ref>{{Cite book| last= Musashi |first= Miyamoto |title=Complete Musashi : the Definitive Translations of the Complete Writings of Miyamoto Musashi&nbsp;– Japan's Greatest Samurai |publisher=Tuttle Publishing|others=Alexander Bennett|year=2018|isbn=978-1-4629-2027-3|location=La Vergne |oclc= 1076236783}}</ref> Other names of his include Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke,<ref name= route /> and Niten Dōraku (his Buddhist name).<ref name= "arch duel">{{Cite web |date=15 November 2022 |title=The Legendary Duel Between Sasaki Kojiro and Miyamoto Musashi |url=https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/the-legendary-duel-between-sasaki-kojiro-and-miyamoto-musashi |access-date=2025-03-11 |website= thearchaeologist.org| format= blog|language=en-US}}</ref> Hirata's wife was Omasa. She died as a result of giving birth to Miyamoto.<ref name= route />

Musashi developed [[eczema]] during infancy which had an adverse effect on his appearance.<ref>{{cite book |editor= Rosemary Brant |first=Miyamoto |last= Musashi |title=The Book of Five Rings: the classic text of Samurai sword strategy |date=2006 | edition= 2006|publisher=Barnes & Noble|location=New York|isbn=978-0-7607-8457-0 |translator= Ashikaga Yoshiharu}}</ref> Another story claims that he never bathed himself because he did not want to be surprised unarmed.<ref name= FiveR-VH>{{cite book| title= A Book of Five Rings |first= Miyamoto |last= Musashi | translator= Victor Harris |place= London| publisher= [[Allison & Busby]]| edition= 1974| others= Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press| isbn= }}</ref>{{rp|10}} Historian Kamiko writes, "For his entire life, Musashi never took a wife, cut his hair, or entered a bath".<ref name= FiveR-KT1963 />{{rp|18ff}}

According to ''The Book of Five Rings'', Musashi testified that his first duel occurred when he was still 13 years old. His opponent was a Arima Kihei, a swordsman who practised [[Kashima Shintō-ryū]] martial arts that were created by [[Tsukahara Bokuden]]. Musashi was victorious. The second duel happened when Musashi was 16 years old, when he won another victory against [[Tadashima Akiyama]], a swordsman who was native to [[Tajima Province]]. Musashi's third duel, at age 21 was in [[Kyoto]], where he defeated several students of a famous sword fighting school.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In 1599, Musashi left his village at age 15 or 16.{{efn|One source states 15,<ref>{{cite book| title= Tosakushi| trans-title= The Registry of the Sakushu Region| year= | language= ja | publisher= | edition= |translator= | first= | last= | isbn= }}</ref> but another states he was 16 years old in 1599<ref name= route-THH47>{{cite book| title= Along the Samurai's Route| first= Jorge| last= Orpianesi |year= 2022| isbn= 9789878720210| publisher= Editorial Autores de Argentina | page= 47}}, quoting {{cite book| title= Tanji Hokin Hikki| trans-title= | place= Japan | publisher= | year= 1727| edition= |translator= | first= | last= | isbn= }}</ref> which aligns with the age reported in Musashi's first duel.<ref name="tokitsu">{{Cite book| title= Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings |first=Kenji |last= Tokitsu |publisher= Shambhala Publications|year=2006|isbn=9780834824881|page= |chapter= }}</ref>}}

=== Sekigahara campaign ===
{{see also|Sekigahara campaign}}
In 1600, Musashi served in [[Kuroda Yoshitaka]]'s army on the Eastern side and fought in the Battle of Ishigakihara and the Siege of Fuka Castle against [[Ōtomo Yoshimune]]'s army from the Western side. 
<ref name=Uozumi>{{Citation
|author=Takashi Uozumi
|date=2008-12-19
|title=宮本武蔵―「兵法の道」を生きる―
|trans-title=Miyamoto Musashi: Living the Way of Military Art
|publisher=岩波書店|series=岩波新書|isbn=978-4-00-431167-6 pages=31-32
}}</ref><ref name=Okura>{{cite book
|trans-title=Miyamoto Musashi
|title=宮本武蔵|date=2015-02-10|publisher=吉川弘文館
|author=Ryuji Okura
|isbn=978-4-642-05272-6|series=人物叢書279 
|pages=34–37}}</ref> In this battle, the force of Kuroda Yoshitaka emerged victorious at 21 October.<ref>{{cite book |last=Turnbull |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Turnbull (historian)
|title=Tokugawa Ieyasu |publisher=Bloomsbury USA Children's Books |date=2012 |isbn=9781849085755 |url=https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Tokugawa_Ieyasu/gT23CwAAQBAJ?hl=en |access-date=2025-11-13 |page=50}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Wilson |first=William Scott |author-link=William Scott Wilson
|title=The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi |publisher=Shambhala |date=2013 |isbn=9780834828513 |url=https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/The_Lone_Samurai/qQDEAwAAQBAJ?hl=en |access-date=2025-11-13 |page=244}}</ref>

For a long time, the popular theory stated that Musashi participated in the [[battle of Sekigahara]] on the Western Army side due to the fact that Shinmen clan was longtime vassal to the [[Ukita clan]]. However, recent research by modern Japanese historians challenged the theory, as they asserted that Musashi and his father, Shinmen Munisai, actually sided with The Eastern Army based on the historical records that Munisai no longer served the Ukita clan during that time, and the clan records of [[Kuroda clan]], ally of Tokugawa Ieyasu during the war, had recorded the name of Shinmen Munisai among their vassals who participated in the war.<ref name= "musashiTokugawasekigahara">{{cite web |first= Watanabe |last= Daimon |title=牢人・宮本武蔵の関ヶ原合戦事情…東軍西軍のどちらに属し、主君は存在したのか |trans-title= Prisoner Miyamoto Musashi's Battle of Sekigahara...Which side did he belong to, East or West, and did he have a master? |url=https://sengoku-his.com/238 |website=sengoku-his.com |access-date=26 May 2024 |language=Ja |year=2023 |quote=Yumekashi Harada, ''The True Story of Miyamoto Musashi'' (Ashi Shobo, 1984); Masahide Fukuda ''Miyamoto Musashi's Summer Siege'' (''Rekishi Kenkyu'' No. 400, 1994); Masahide Fukuda, ''Proof of Musashi's Sekigahara Eastern Army'' (Miyamoto Musashi Research Paper Collection, Rekiken, 2003); Eiji Yoshikawa, ''Miyamoto Musashi, 6 volumes'' (Dainippon Yubenkai Kodansha, 1936–39)}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title= Miyamoto Musashi| journal= [[Osaka Economic Review]]| number= 282–284 |year=2005 |publisher= [[Osaka University of Economics]] |page=55 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fzYSAQAAMAAJ |access-date=25 May 2024 |language=Ja}}</ref> Historians quoted ''The Transmission of Military Art to Master Bushu Genshin'',<ref name="musashiTokugawasekigahara" /> the record from Tachibana Mineki; vassal of Kuroda clan,<ref name=Uozumi /><ref name=Okura /> and the "Matsui Clan record", rejecting that the theory that Musashi fought on the side of Western Army, both in Sekigahara and in Osaka siege 14 years later.<ref>{{cite web |first= Watanabe |last= Daimon |title=宮本武蔵に関する史料は、なぜ極端に少ないのか。その理由を考える |trans-title= Why are there so few historical documents about Miyamoto Musashi? Consider the reasons |url = https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/d328fe8083b6003c2dd086986e298724f1b0b6c5 |website=yahoo.co.jp/expert |publisher=渡邊大門 無断転載を禁じます。 LY Corporation |access-date=2 June 2024 |language= ja}}</ref> Historian Masahide Fukuda has determined that the name of Munisai appeared in Kuroda clan record under the category of ''Kogofudai'', or Kuroda clan [[vassal]]s who had entered service before 1586. Based on this fact, Fukuda concluded it was natural that Munisai and Musashi were on the Tokugawa side during the war.<ref name="musashiTokugawasekigahara" />

Nevertheless despite the consensus among Japanese historians that Musashi fought on the victorious Eastern Army side, its still debated whether Musashi fought in the Sekigahara battle, or in Ishigakihara battle.<ref name= Faithful29>{{cite book |first= Kengo | last= Tominaga |title= 忠実宮本武蔵 |trans-title= Faithful Miyamoto Musashi| date=1972 |publisher= Baiquan Study |page=29 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=R3gwAAAAMAAJ |access-date=10 June 2024 |language=Ja}}</ref> Japanese history novelist Kengo Tominaga proposed a theory that Musashi during the [[Sekigahara Campaign]] did not fight in the main battle of Sekigahara, but instead he fought under [[Kuroda Yoshitaka]] against [[Ishida Mitsunari]] loyalists from the western provinces in the battle of Ishigakihara, [[Ōita Prefecture]].<ref name= Faithful29 />

In December 1608, It was reported that Musashi met with Mizuno Katsunari, a Tokugawa general. Musashi taught Katsunari the secret techniques of his sword style.<ref>『宮本武蔵奥伝（与水野日向守）』（小田原市立図書館蔵）、『兵道鏡』（高知城歴史博物館 山内文庫所蔵）</ref>

[[File:Miyamoto-Musashi-Fights-Sasaki-Kojiro-at-Ganryujima-Ukiyo-e.png|thumb|right|upright=1.2|Sasaki Kojiro, right, engages Miyamoto Musashi on the shores of Ganryū Island.]]

In 1611, Musashi learned [[zazen]] at [[Myōshin-ji]] [[Kyūshū]]. Musashi introduced [[Nagaoka Sado]] to an official of daimyo (lord) named [[Hosokawa Tadaoki]].{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

===Duel with Sasaki Kojiro===
Musashi dueled [[Sasaki Kojiro]], another skilled swordsman, in one of his most famous battles. While there are differing opinions on how it happened, the prevailing notion is that Musashi challenged Kojiro, requesting Hosokawa Tadaoki to organise the time and place.<ref name= "arch duel" /> Kojiro agreed to the challenge, scheduled one year later, on 13 April, at Ganryūjima Island. When the date arrived, the island was filled with spectators anxious to witness the duel. 

Musashi, it is said, deliberately arrived late. Kojirō had lost his patience while waiting, and he taunted Musashi for his late arrival, though the latter remained composed.<ref name="lowry">{{cite book |last=Lowry |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Lowry (martial arts) |date=1986 |title=Bokken: Art of the Japanese Sword |publisher= Ohara Publications |pages=21–27 |isbn=978-0-89750-104-0}}</ref><ref name="Kodansha International"/> Kojirō was known for fighting with a ''[[nodachi]]'', a sword with a long blade.<ref name="lowry"/><ref name="Kodansha International">{{cite book| last= Wilson| first= William Scott |title=The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi |year= 2004 |publisher= Kodansha International|location=Tokyo|isbn=978-4770029423 |page= 19 |edition=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0p0C7Y8lkH8C&q=musashi+came+late+and+unkempt&pg=PA18}}</ref> During his journey to the island by boat, Musashi had carved an [[oar]] into a ''[[bokken]]'', or wooden practice sword. The duel ended when Musashi quickly and fatally struck Kojirō, crushing his skull with a vertical stroke.<ref name="lowry" />

===Serving under Shogunate army===
In 1614, during the [[Siege of Osaka]], it was believed that Musashi participated in the Tokugawa army under the command of Musashi's personal friend, [[Mizuno Katsushige]] or also known as Katsunari. Musashi was reportedly carrying the banner of Katsunari,<ref>{{cite web |first= William |last= de Lange |title= The Siege of Osaka Castle |year=2019| website= miyamotomusashi.eu |publisher=William de Lange |url=http://www.miyamotomusashi.eu/battles/the-siege-of-osaka-castle/index.html |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> and also acted as bodyguard of Mizuno Katsutoshi, son of Katsunari.<ref>{{cite web |first= William |last= de Lange |title= Mizuno Katsunari (1564–1651) |url=http://www.miyamotomusashi.eu/patrons/mizuno-katsunari-15641651.html |website= miyamotomusashi.eu |publisher=William de Lange |access-date=22 May 2024 |language=En |year=2019}}</ref> It was said in a later era, during the Shimabara Rebellion, that Musashi once told a commander of the Tokugawa army that he had served under Mizuno Katsunari's command during the Osaka siege and knew the military system very well.<ref name= "Musashidocument">{{cite web |first= Masahide |last= Fukuda |title=【寄稿17】宮本武蔵と水野勝成 『宮本武蔵の大坂夏の陣』１／２ |trans-title= [Contribution 17] Miyamoto Musashi and Mizuno Katsunari, 'Miyamoto Musashi's Summer Siege of Osaka' 1/2 |url= https://mizunoclan.exblog.jp/14496991/ |language= ja |year=2011 |website= mizunoclan.exblog.jp|access-date=27 May 2024}}</ref> [[Miyamoto Mikinosuke]], the adopted son of Musashi, also served under Katsunari during this battle.<ref name= "tokitsu" />{{rp|95, Introduction}} According to the ''Sekisui zatsuwa'', Mikinosuke was also Musashi's paternal relative through his father, Nakagawa Shimanosuke, who was also a vassal of Katsunari.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilson |first=William Scott |title=The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi |publisher=Shambhala Publications |year=2013 
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ca-PYBVF6BwC |access-date=2025-11-03  |pages=66-67, 84, 251, 271 |isbn=978-1-59030-987-2 }}</ref> The attendance of Musashi in this conflict under the Mizuno clan also attested by contemporary Oba clan record documents. A document titled ''Munekyu-sama Godeko'' (a collection of Katsunari's words and actions after his retirement) also mentions Mikinosuke.<ref>{{cite web |title=水野藩と宮本武蔵 福山城の北側を散策 03 |url=https://k-yagumo.sakura.ne.jp/web6/musasi.htm |website=k-yagumo.sakura.ne.jp |date=2003-08-31 |access-date=2025-11-03 |language=ja}}</ref>

In 1633, Musashi began staying with [[Hosokawa Tadatoshi]], ''[[Daimyo|daimyō]]'' of [[Kumamoto Castle]], who had moved to the [[Kumamoto]] fief and Kokura, to train and paint.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2009|title=Art of Miyamoto Musashi |url=http://www.ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com/liens.html |website= ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com| publisher= Miyamoto Musashi Dojo |access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> While he engaged in very few duels during this period, one occurred in 1634 at the arrangement of Lord Ogasawara, in which Musashi defeated a lance specialist named [[Takada Matabei]]. Musashi officially became the retainer of the Hosokawa lords of Kumamoto in 1640. The ''Niten Ki'' records "[he] received from Lord Tadatoshi: 17 retainers, a stipend of 300 [[koku]], the rank of ''ōkumigashira'' 大組頭, and Chiba Castle in Kumamoto as his residence."<ref>Toyota, p. 250</ref>

[[File:Tombe de Miyamoto Musashi à Ōhara, province de Mimasaka.jpg|thumb|Miyamoto Musashi's grave in [[Ōhara, Okayama|Ōhara-chō]],<ref>{{Cite web| year= 2009| title=宮本武蔵&nbsp;– Musashi | trans-title= Miyamoto Musashi&nbsp;– Musashi| url= http://www.ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com/musashi_jp.html |language= ja |website= ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com| publisher= Miyamoto Musashi Dojo |access-date=13 August 2020}}</ref> [[Mimasaka Province|province of Mimasaka]]]]

In 1638, Musashi allegedly participated in the suppression of [[Shimabara Rebellion]]. In the journal ''Munekyu (Katsunari)-sama'', a collection of statements made by Katsunari Mizuno after his retirement in 1639, there is a story about Mizuno's army during the Shimabara Rebellion: a man named Miyamoto Musashi entered the camp of general Ogasawara Nagatsugu, and Musashi said, "Last time (at Siege of Osaka), ([[Mizuno Katsushige|Mizuno Katsunari]]) Hyuga-no-Kamidono's clan had this, and I knew the military system very well."<ref name="Musashidocument" /> Musashi continued, "He is a great general that no one can match."<ref name="MusashiKatsunari">{{cite book |first= Uozumi| last= Takashi |title=宮本武蔵: 日本人の道 |trans-title=Miyamoto Musashi: The Japanese Way |date=2002 |publisher=ぺりかん |isbn=4831510114 |pages=93, 95, 111 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8W0yAQAAIAAJ |access-date=27 May 2024 |language=Ja}}</ref>

===Later life===
In the second month of 1641, Musashi wrote a work called the ''Hyoho Sanju Go'' ("Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy") for [[Hosokawa Tadatoshi]]. This work overlapped and formed the basis for the later ''[[The Book of Five Rings]]''. This was the year that his adopted son, [[Hirao Yoemon]], became Master of Arms for the Owari fief. In 1642, Musashi suffered attacks of [[neuralgia]], foreshadowing his future ill-health.

[[File:Reigandō.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Reigandō]] cave in [[Kumamoto]], Japan]]

In 1643, he retired to a cave, ''[[Reigandō]]'', living as a hermit to write ''The Book of Five Rings''. He finished it in the second month of 1645. On the twelfth of the fifth month, sensing his impending death, he bequeathed his worldly possessions, after giving his manuscript to the younger brother of Terao Magonojo, his closest disciple. Musashi died in Reigandō cave around 13 June 1645 ("[[Shōhō]] 2, 19th day of the 5th month"). Allegedly, his death resulted from lung cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kendo.com/miyamotomusashi|title=Musashi Miyamoto&nbsp;– the Legend |last= Almo |first= Leif |website= Kendo.com |publisher= Scandnet AB |archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171226185621/http://kendo.com/miyamotomusashi| url-status=dead | access-date=4 March 2017}}</ref> According to ''Hyoho senshi denki'' (''Anecdotes About the Deceased Master''):
{{quote|At the moment of his death, he had himself raised up. He had his belt tightened and his wakizashi put in it. He seated himself with one knee vertically raised, holding the sword with his left hand and a cane in his right hand. He died in this posture, at the age of sixty-two. The principal vassals of Lord Hosokawa and the other officers gathered, and they painstakingly carried out the ceremony. Then they set up a tomb on Mount Iwato on the order of the lord.<ref name="tokitsu" />{{rp|131}}}}

==Timeline==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
The following timeline of Musashi biography in chronological order (of which is based on the most accurate and most widely accepted information).

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Date
! Age
! Occurrence
|-
| 1578
| −6
| Musashi's brother, Shirota, is born.
|-
| 1584
| 0
| Miyamoto Musashi is born.
|-
| 1591
| 6–7
| Musashi is taken and raised by his uncle as a [[Buddhist]].
|-
| 1596
| 11–12
| Musashi duels with Arima Kihei in Hirafuku, [[Hyōgo Prefecture]].
|-
| 1599
| 14–15
| Duels with a man named [[Tadashima Akiyama]] in the northern part of [[Hyōgo Prefecture]].
|-
| 1600
| 16
| Believed to have fought in the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] (21 October) as part of the Western army. However, recent researches has suggested he was on the Eastern army along with his father. Whether he actually participated in the battle is currently in doubt.
|-
| 1604
| 19–20
| Musashi has three matches with the Yoshioka clan in [[Kyoto]].<br>(1) Match with Yoshioka Seijuro in [[Yamashiro Province]], outside the city at Rendai Moor (west of Mt. Funaoka, [[Kita-ku, Kyoto]]).<br>(2) Match with Yoshioka Denshichiro outside the city.<br>(3) Match with Yoshioka Matashichiro outside the city at the pine of [[Ichijō-ji]].
|-
|
|
| Visits [[Kōfuku-ji]], [[Nara, Nara|Nara]] and ends up dueling with Okuzōin Dōei, the Buddhist priest trained in the style of [[Hōzōin-ryū]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kagita|first=Chūbei|title=The sickle-spear of the Hōzōinryū (7) |url=http://www.sojutsu.de/en/home/texte-vom-20-soke/der-sichelspeer-der-hozoinryu-7|access-date=2021-05-05|website= sojutsu.de|language=en}} First published in the Nara town magazine ''Ubusuna'' on 8 July 2009.</ref>
|-
| 1605–1612
| 20–28
| Begins to travel again.
|-
| 1607
| 22–23
| Munisai (Musashi's father) passes his teachings onto Musashi.
|-
|
|
| Duels with the [[kusarigama]] expert [[Shishido (swordsman)|Shishido]] in the western part of [[Mie Prefecture]].
|-
| 1608
| 23–24
| Duels [[Musō Gonnosuke]], master of the five-foot staff in [[Edo (Tokyo)|Edo]].
|-
| 1610
| 25–26
| Fights Hayashi Osedo and Tsujikaze Tenma in [[Edo (Tokyo)|Edo]].
|-
| 1611
| 26–27
| Begins practicing [[zazen]] [[meditation]].
|-
| 1612
| 28
| Duel with [[Sasaki Kojirō]] takes place on 13 April, on [[Ganryū-jima]] off the coast of [[Shimonoseki]] in which Kojiro is defeated.
|-
|
|
| Briefly opens a [[fencing]] school.
|-
| 1614–1615
| 30–31
| Believed to have joined the troops of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] in the [[Siege of Osaka|Winter and Summer campaigns]], under the command of [[Mizuno Katsushige]] (8 November 1614&nbsp;– 15 June 1615) at [[Osaka Castle]], but no significant contributions are documented.
|-
| 1615–1621
| 30–37
| Comes into the service of Ogasawara Tadanao in [[Harima Province]] as a construction supervisor.
|-
| 1621
| 36–37
| Duels [[Miyake Gunbei]] in [[Tatsuno, Hyōgo]].
|-
| 1622
| 37–38
| Sets up temporary residence at the [[castle town]] of [[Himeji, Hyōgo]].
|-
| 1623
| 38–39
| Travels to [[Edo (Tokyo)|Edo]].
|-
|
|
| Adopts a son named [[Miyamoto Iori|Iori]].
|-
| 1626
| 41–42
| Adopted son [[Miyamoto Mikinosuke|Mikinosuke]] commits [[seppuku]] following in the tradition of [[Junshi]].
|-
| 1627
| 42–43
| Travels again.
|-
| 1628
| 43–44
| Meets with [[Yagyū Hyōgonosuke]] in [[Nagoya]], Owari Province.
|-
| 1630
| 45–46
| Enters the service of Lord [[Hosokawa Tadatoshi]].
|-
| 1633
| 48–49
| Begins to extensively practice the arts.
|-
| 1634
| 49–50
| Settles in [[Kokura]], [[Fukuoka Prefecture]] for a short time with son Iori as a guest of [[Ogasawara Tadazane]].
|-
| 1637–1638
| 53–54
| Serves a major role in the [[Shimabara Rebellion]] (17 December 1637&nbsp;– 15 April 1638) and is the only documented evidence that Musashi served in battle. Was knocked off his horse by a rock thrown by one of the peasants.
|-
| 1641
| 56–57
| Writes ''Hyoho Sanju-go''.
|-
| 1642
| 57–58
| Suffers severe attacks from [[neuralgia]].
|-
| 1643
| 58–59
| Migrates into [[Reigandō]] where he lives as a [[hermit]].
|-
| 1645
| 61
| Finishes [[The Book of Five Rings|Go Rin No Sho/The Book of Five Rings]]. Dies from what is believed to be lung cancer.
|}

==Personal life==
[[File:Miyamoto Musashi-Portrait-Edo-period.png|thumb|Edo period portrait of Musashi]]
It was said that Musashi practised the way of the warrior and warfare strategy, which entailed the mastery of many art forms beyond that of the sword, such as tea ceremony (sadō), labouring, writing, and painting, all of which Musashi pursued throughout his life.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=White |first1=Tim | title=Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life: Five Lessons from Miyamoto Musashi's 'Way of the Warrior' |url=https://theobjectivestandard.com/2020/05/ancient-wisdom-for-modern-life-five-lessons-from-miyamoto-musashis-way-of-the-warrior/|access-date=2021-07-08|website=theobjectivestandard.com|date=28 May 2020}}</ref>

This predominant cultural view of Musashi is somewhat contradicted by old texts such as ''Dobo goen'' (1720), which relay his intimacy with the courtesan Kumoi in his middle age.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi| last= Wilson| first= William Scott |publisher=Shambhala Publications |year=2013| isbn=978-1590309872 |page=79}}</ref> The ''Bushu Denraiki'' details Musashi fathering a daughter by a courtesan. The daughter is said to have died young which caused him great grief. It is uncertain if this courtesan and Kumoi were the same person.{{cn|date= April 2025}} A rumour also connected Musashi with the ''[[oiran]]'' {{Interlanguage link|Yoshino Tayu|Ja|吉野太夫}}.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the Geisha|last=Downer|first=Lesley|publisher=Broadway Books|year=2002|isbn=978-0767904902|pages=}}</ref>

[[File:Kanjisenki.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Japanese calligraphy|Calligraphy]] by Musashi]]

===Niten Ichi Ryu===
{{Main|Niten Ichi-ryū}}
Musashi created and refined a two-sword ''[[kenjutsu]]'' technique called ''niten'ichi'' (二天一, "two heavens as one") or ''nitōichi'' (二刀一, "two swords as one") or ''[[Niten Ichi-ryū]]''{{efn|A Kongen Buddhist sutra refers to the two heavens as the two guardians of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]].}} In this technique, the swordsman uses ''both'' a large sword, and a "companion sword" at the same time—a [[katana]] with a [[wakizashi]].<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Ratti| first1= Oscar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y47TAgAAQBAJ&q=Musashi+created+and+refined+a+two-sword+kenjutsu+technique&pg=PA241 |title= Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan|last2=Westbrook|first2=Adele|date=2011|publisher=Tuttle Publishing |isbn=978-1-4629-0254-5| page= 241 |language=en}}</ref>

The two-handed movements of temple drummers may have inspired him, although it could be that the technique was forged through Musashi's combat experience. ''[[Jitte]]'' techniques were taught to him by his father—the ''jitte'' was often used in battle paired with a sword; the ''jitte'' would parry and neutralise the weapon of the enemy while the sword struck or the practitioner grappled with the enemy. Today Musashi's style of swordsmanship is known as [[Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://niten.org/english/instituto/miyamoto_musashi/musashi-biografia |title=The life of Miyamoto Musashi|website= niten.org | publisher= Niten Institute |language=en|access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>

Musashi was also an expert in throwing weapons. He frequently threw his short sword and instructed others at throwing [[shuriken]].<ref name="tokitsu" />{{rp|38}} [[Kenji Tokitsu]] believes that shuriken methods for the wakizashi were the Niten Ichi Ryu's secret techniques.<!--the reference here does not support the statement<ref>{{cite book|last1= Hyakutake-Watkin|first1=Colin |last2=Masayuki|first2=Imai |last3=Norikazu |first3=Iwata |title= Hyoho.com |url= http://www.hyoho.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040615033613/http://www.hyoho.com/ |archive-date=15 June 2004}}-->{{cn|date= April 2025}}

Within the book, Musashi mentions that the use of two swords within strategy is equally beneficial to those who use the skill for individual duels or large engagements. The idea of using two hands for a sword is an idea that Musashi opposes because there is no fluidity in movement with two hands: "If you hold a sword with both hands, it is difficult to wield it freely to left and right, so my method is to carry the sword in one hand." He also disagrees with the idea of using a sword with two hands on a horse and/or riding on unstable terrain, such as muddy swamps, rice fields, or within crowds of people.

To learn the strategy of Ni-Ten Ichi Ryū, Musashi asserts that by training with two long swords, one in each hand, one will be able to overcome the cumbersome nature of using a sword in both hands. Although it is difficult, Musashi agrees that there are times in which the long sword must be used with two hands, but one skilful enough should not need it.

After using two long swords proficiently enough, mastery of a long sword, and a "companion sword", most likely a wakizashi, will be much increased: "When you become used to wielding the long sword, you will gain the power of the Way and wield the sword well."

In short, it could be seen, from the excerpts from ''The Book of Five Rings'', that real strategy behind Ni-Ten No Ichi Ryu, is that there is no real iron-clad method, path, or type of weaponry specific to the style of Ni-Ten No Ichi Ryu:

{{blockquote|You can win with a long weapon, and yet you can also win with a short weapon. In short, the Way of the Ichi school is the spirit of winning, whatever the weapon and whatever its size.}}

===Religion===
Even from an early age, Musashi separated his religion from his involvement in swordsmanship. Excerpts such as the one below, from ''The Book of Five Rings'', demonstrate a philosophy that is thought to have stayed with him throughout his life:

{{blockquote|There are many ways: [[Confucianism]], [[Buddhism]], the ways of elegance, rice-planting, or dance; these things are not to be found in the way of the warrior.<ref name= FiveR-KT1963 />{{rp|57}}}}

However, the belief that Musashi disliked [[Shinto]] the religion is inaccurate, as he criticises the similarly worded [[Kashima Shintō-ryū|Shintō-ryū]] style of swordsmanship, which is not the religion. In Musashi's ''[[Dokkōdō]]'', his stance on religion is further elucidated: "Respect [[Buddha]] and the gods without counting on their help."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/education/hinokuni/isan/siteijoukyou/2003.9.12/dokoudou.html |title= 獨行道 | website= kumamoto.jp| publisher= Kumamoto Prefectural Government| language= ja | trans-title= Lonely Road |date= 12 September 2003 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081218202853/http://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/education/hinokuni/isan/siteijoukyou/2003.9.12/dokoudou.html |archive-date=18 December 2008| access-date= 16 April 2025}}</ref>

===As an artist===
[[File:Kobokumeigekizu.jpg|thumb|upright|''Shrike in a barren tree'', by Miyamoto Musashi]]
In his later years, Musashi said in his ''The Book of Five Rings'': "When I apply the principle of strategy to the ways of different arts and crafts, I no longer have need for a teacher in any domain." He proved this by creating recognised masterpieces of [[calligraphy]] and classic [[ink painting]]. His paintings are characterised by [[sumi-e]], skilled use of [[ink wash]]es and an economy of brush stroke. He especially mastered the "broken ink" school of landscapes, applying it to other subjects, such as his ''Kobokumeikakuzu'' (''[[Shrike]] Perched on a Withered Branch'';{{efn|''Shrike Perched in a Dead Tree'' (''Koboku Meigekizu'', 枯木鳴鵙図)}}<ref>{{Cite web |title= 枯木鳴鵙図 | trans-title= Shrike Perched in a Dead Tree | url=https://www.ikm-art.jp/degitalmuseum/num/001/0010141000.html |access-date=2025-03-12 |website= ikm-art.jp| publisher= デジタルミュージアム |language=ja}}</ref> part of a [[triptych]] whose other two members were ''[[Budai|Hotei]] Walking'' and ''Sparrow on Bamboo''), his ''Hotei Watching a Cockfight'', and his ''Rozanzu'' (''Wild Geese Among Reeds'', 魯山図).<ref>{{Cite web |date= 16 January 2025 |title=Miyamoto Musashi {{!}} Samurai, Duelist, Swordsman |website= [[Encyclopedia Britannica|Britannica]].com |url= https://www.britannica.com/biography/Miyamoto-Musashi-Japanese-soldier-artist |access-date=2025-03-12 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250116114703/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Miyamoto-Musashi-Japanese-soldier-artist |archive-date=16 January 2025 }}</ref> ''The Book of Five Rings'' advocates involvement in calligraphy and other arts as a means of training in the art of war.<ref name="nippon-musashi">{{cite web |title= Master Swordsman Miyamoto Musashi: The Man Behind The Book of Five Rings |website=Nippon.com |first= Uozumi| last= Takashi |date=25 July 2019 |url= https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00689/master-swordsman-miyamoto-musashi-the-man-behind-the-book-of-five-rings.html |publisher= Nippon Communications Foundation| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200305121209/https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00689/master-swordsman-miyamoto-musashi-the-man-behind-the-book-of-five-rings.html |archive-date= 5 March 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Bird on Branch by Miyamoto Musashi.jpg|thumb|''Bird on Branch,'' by Miyamoto Musashi[[File:Hotei Watching a Cockfight.jpg|thumb|''Hotei Watching a Cockfight,'' by Miyamoto Musashi]]]]

==In Japanese and global culture==

===Miyamoto Musashi Budokan===
{{Further|Miyamoto Musashi Budokan}}
[[File:Musashi budokan02s2640.jpg|thumb|The [[Miyamoto Musashi Budokan]] in [[Ōhara, Okayama|Ōhara-chō]] ([[Mimasaka, Okayama|Mimasaka]]), [[Okayama Prefecture]], Japan<ref>{{Cite web| year=2009 |title=Budokan|url=http://www.ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com/budokan_uk.html |website= ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com| publisher= Miyamoto Musashi Dojo |access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>]]

On 20 May 2000, at the initiative of Sensei Tadashi Chihara<ref>{{Cite web| date=11 April 2020|title=the 10th, Tadashi Chihara, hyouhou niten ichiryū musashi seitannochi| url=https://54369d1c-e4d2-4025-8e17-8bf19b68e412.filesusr.com/ugd/c7032e_aab689e3cf384be28fbad53526b96dbd.pdf}}</ref> the [[Miyamoto Musashi Budokan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dojo-miyamoto-musashi.com/budokan_uk.html|title=Dojo Miyamoto Musashi|website=dojo-miyamoto-musashi.com}}</ref> was inaugurated.<ref name=":0" /> It was built in [[Ōhara, Okayama|Ōhara-Cho]] in the [[Mimasaka Province|province of Mimasaka]], the birthplace of the [[samurai]]. Inside the building, the life and journey of Miyamoto Musashi are remembered everywhere. Dedicated to martial arts, the Budokan is the source for all of Japan's official traditional sabre and [[kendo]] schools. Practically, historically and culturally it is a junction for martial disciplines in the heart of traditional Japan dedicated to Musashi.

The inauguration of the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan perpetuated the twinning established on 4 March 1999, between the inhabitants of Ōhara-Chō (Japanese province of Mimasaka) and the inhabitants of [[Gleizé]]. It was formalised in the presence of Sensei Tadashi Chihara, guarantor and tenth in the lineage of Miyamoto Musashi carrying a mandate from the mayor of Ōhara-Chō, and in the presence of the mayor of Gleizé [[Élisabeth Lamure]].<ref>{{Cite web| date= February 1999|title=Reportage&nbsp;– Dojo&nbsp;– France3&nbsp;– Miyamoto Musashi School |url=https://vimeo.com/387165059 | via= Vimeo | access-date= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year= 2018 |title= Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu Memorial|url= https://www.memorial-heiho-niten-ichi-ryu.com/reconnaissance| website= memorial-heiho-niten-ichi-ryu.com| access-date= }}</ref> This event was extended during the mandate of the new mayor of Ōhara-Chō Fukuda Yoshiaki, by official invitation from Japan and the consequent visit of the mayor of Gleizé for the inauguration of the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan on 10 May 2000, in the presence of personalities and Japanese authorities.

===Monuments===
<gallery>
File:Memorial Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu.jpg|Memorial Lyon-Japan Japan-France Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu ([[Gleizé]]).
File:Stèle de la Mémoire du Japon à Jarnioux et Liergues.jpg|Memorial Lyon-Japan Japan-France Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu ([[Jarnioux]]).
</gallery>

===In popular culture===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}
{{in popular culture|date=March 2024}}
{{Further|Miyamoto Musashi in fiction}}
<!-- PLEASE only mention major works about or prominently featuring Miyamoto Musashi on this page. All other examples can be listed in the "Miyamoto Musashi in fiction" article. -->

In Musashi's time, there were fictional texts resembling comic books{{cn|date=June 2025}} and it is difficult to separate fact from fiction when discussing his life. There have been numerous later works of fiction made about or featuring Musashi, including novels, manga, film, anime, and video games.

[[Eiji Yoshikawa]]'s novel ''[[Musashi (novel)|Musashi]]'' (originally a 1930s daily newspaper serial) has greatly influenced successive fictional depictions and is often mistaken for a factual account of Musashi's life.

He has been portrayed many times in film, most notably in [[Hiroshi Inagaki]]'s ''[[Samurai Trilogy]]'' (1954–56), starring [[Toshiro Mifune]], which was based on Yoshikawa's novel.

Musashi is also the protagonist of [[Takehiko Inoue]]'s critically acclaimed manga series, ''[[Vagabond (manga)|Vagabond]]'', which follows a fictionalized account of his life.

Finnish metal band, [[Whispered (band)| Whispered]] dedicated the song "Kensei" in 2016 to the teachings and life of Musashi. 

Swedish metal band, [[Sabaton (band)|Sabaton]] wrote a song about Musashi entitled, "The Duelist".<ref>{{cite web |title=Listen to an exclusive preview of new single "The Duelist"! |url=https://www.sabaton.net/news/music/listen-to-an-exclusive-preview-of-new-single-the-duelist/ |website=Sabaton.net |access-date=18 July 2025 |language=en |date=18 July 2025}}</ref>

He appears as an optional boss in 2025 video game [[Ghost of Yōtei]] named "Takezo the Unrivaled" after beating other duelists at duelist trees around Ezo.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Musashi ts pic.jpg|Miyamoto Musashi in his prime, wielding two bokken (wooden quarterstaves)
File:Miyamoto Musashi.jpg|Miyamoto Musashi, by Yoshitaki Tsunejiro, 1855
File:Miyamoto Musashi Slashing a Tengu LACMA M.84.31.444.jpg|Miyamoto Musashi slashing a Tengu, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, 8/1865
File:Miyamoto musashi LCCN2002700026.jpg|"Miyamoto Musashi on the banks of the Isagawa in Kawachi Province meets a remarkable man who shows him a magnifying glass", from a series Thirty-six Famous Battles by [[Utagawa Kuniyoshi]], 1847
File:Miyamoto Musashi Shirakura ka dokushu no… 宮本無三四白倉毒手… (BM 2008,3037.19306).jpg|Miyamoto Musashi (centre), surrounded by smoke, bursting out of the bath-house, to the consternation of Shirakura Gengoemon (left), his wife, and his followers, who had intended to boil him alive there, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, mid 19th century
File:Miyamoto Musashi 宮本無三四 (BM 2008,3037.15803).jpg|Miyamoto Musashi stepping on the head of a crocodile-like creature (Yamazame), by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1843
File:Miyamoto Musashi 宮本 武蔵 (BM 2008,3037.15507).jpg|"The swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, armed with two wooden swords, sparring with the old master Tsukahara Bokuden, who defends himself using two wooden pot-lids" by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, c. 1845-46
File:Seiran 晴嵐 (BM 2008,3037.19903).jpg|“Miyamoto Musashi (centre) armed with a broken beam by a mill-stream, when attacked by Shirakura Dengoemon (left) and his men, who tried to boil him alive” by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1846
File:No. 48 Musa 武佐 (BM 2008,3037.14767).jpg|“Miyamoto Musashi suspended over a chasm in a primitive cable car, raises his sword to strike an enormous bat” by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1852
File:Miyamoto Musashi killing a giant nue.jpg|Miyamoto Musashi kills a shark fish (Yamazame) in the mountains across the border of [[Echizen Province]], by [[Utagawa Kuniyoshi]]
File:Miyamoto-Musashi-Attacking-Giant-Whale-Utagawa-Kuniyoshi.png|“Miyamoto no Musashi Attacking the Giant Whale”, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1847-1850
File:Statue of Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵像).jpg|Statue of Miyamoto Musashi
File:Statue of Hosokawa Tadatoshi.jpg|A statue of [[Hosokawa Tadatoshi]] within [[Suizen-ji Jōju-en]]    
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Asia|Japan|History|Biography|Buddhism}}
* [[Yagyū Munenori]]
* [[Gosho Motoharu]]
* [[Hōjō Akinokami]]
* [[Sasaki Kojirō|Sasaki Kojiro]]
* [[Takuan Sōhō|Takuan Soho]]
* [[Terao Magonojō]]
* [[Eiji Yoshikawa]]
* [[Bizen Province]]
* [[Mimasaka Province]]
* [[Ōhara, Okayama]]
* [[Miyamoto Musashi Budokan]]
* [[Miyamoto Musashi Station]]
* [[Philosophy of war]]
* [[List of military writers]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Appendix==
===Essays===
* {{cite book | first = Stephen R. | last = Turnbull | author-link = Stephen Turnbull (historian) | title = The Lone Samurai and the Martial Arts | publisher = Arms and Armour Press | location = London | isbn = 978-0-85368-967-6 | year = 1990 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/lonesamuraimarti0000turn }}
* {{cite book | first = William Scott | last = Wilson | title = The Lone Samurai | publisher = Kodansha International | year=2004 | isbn = 978-4-7700-2942-3 | title-link = The Lone Samurai }}
* {{cite book | first = William | last = De Lange | title = The Real Musashi: The Bushu denraiki | publisher = Floating World Editions | year=2010 | isbn = 978-1-891640-56-8}}
* {{cite book | first = William | last = De Lange | title = The Real Musashi: The Bukoden | publisher = Floating World Editions | year=2011 | isbn = 978-1-891640-60-5}}
* {{cite book | first = William | last = De Lange | title = The Real Musashi: A Miscellany | publisher = Floating World Editions | year=2016 | isbn = 978-1-891640-86-5}}
* {{cite book | first = William | last = De Lange | title = Miyamoto Musashi: A Life in Arms | publisher = Floating World Editions | year=2014 | isbn = 978-1-891640-629}}

===Testimony===
* Iwami Toshio Harukatsu soke (11th successor to Miyamoto Musashi), "Musashi's teachings&nbsp;– philosophy first: translation in English" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720223316/http://lakischool.free.fr/IWAMI%20dragon%20interview%20english.pdf |date=20 July 2011 }}, ''Dragon'' n°7, January 2005, ed. Mathis; French original text: [http://lakischool.free.fr/DRAGON%2001%202005-MUSASHI-ECOLE%20DES%202%20SABRES.pdf ''L'enseignement de Musashi est d'abord une philosophie'']
* Iwami Toshio Harukatsu soke (11th successor to Miyamoto Musashi), "Musashi's principles" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720223734/http://lakischool.free.fr/interview%20niten%202006.pdf |date=20 July 2011 }}, ''Dragon'' n°13, January 2006, ed. Mathis; French original text: ''Les principes de Musashi'' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720223459/http://lakischool.free.fr/DRAGON%2001%202006-INTERVIEW%20IWAMI.pdf |date=20 July 2011 }}

===Primary sources===
* ''Hyodokyo'' (''The Mirror of the Way of Strategy'')
* ''Hyoho Sanjugo Kajo'' (''35 Instructions on Strategy'')
* ''Hyoho Shijuni Kajo'' (''42 Instructions on Strategy'')
* ''[[Dokkōdō]]'' (''The Way to be Followed Alone'')
* ''[[The Book of Five Rings|Go Rin No Sho]]'' (''The Book of Five Rings'') Translated into English by Victor Harris as ''A Book of Five Rings'', London: [[Allison & Busby]], 1974; Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press.

===Fiction===
* {{cite book | last= Wilson| first= William Scott| author-link = Sean Michael Wilson| title = Musashi (A Graphic Novel) | publisher = Shambhala | year=2014 }} ([[Manga]]/historical fiction)
* {{cite book | last= Wilson| first= William Scott| author-link = Sean Michael Wilson| title = The Book of Five Rings: a graphic novel | publisher = Shambhala | year=2012 }} ([[Manga]]/historical fiction)
* {{cite book | first = Takehiko | last = Inoue| author-link = Takehiko Inoue| title = Vagabond | publisher = Viz Communications | year=1998 | title-link = Vagabond (manga)}} ([[Manga]]/historical fiction)
* {{cite book | first = Eiji | last = Yoshikawa| author-link = Eiji Yoshikawa | title = Musashi | publisher = Kodansha International | year = 1995 | edition = reprint | isbn = 978-4-7700-1957-8| title-link = Musashi (novel)}} (Historical fiction)
* {{cite book | first = J.S.| last = Moore | title = Under the Sun: The Miyamoto Musashi Story | publisher = Understanding Apples Press | year=2014 | isbn = 978-1-5028-0491-4}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{Library resources box|by=yes|onlinebooks=yes}}
* [http://www.miyamotomusashi.eu miyamotomusashi.eu]
* [http://www.memorial-niten-ichy-ryu.com/musashi.html Miyamoto Musashi Dojo] {{in lang|fr}}
* [http://www.kampaibudokai.org/MusashiArt.htm Some artwork by Miyamoto Musashi] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20070707073253/http://www.kampaibudokai.org/MusashiArt.htm archive link])
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121103001238/http://www.asianart.org/blog/index.php/2009/05/29/5-samurai-facts/ The samurai warrior and Zen Buddhism]  (website of the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190125131917/http://www.bookoffiverings.com/ Complete texts in English by Miyamoto Musashi]
* [https://www.nitojuku.com/articles Miyamoto Musashi; his Swordsmanship and Book of Five Rings]

{{East Asian topics}}
{{People of the Sengoku period|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Miyamoto, Musashi}}
[[Category:Miyamoto Musashi| ]]
[[Category:1580s births]]
[[Category:1645 deaths]]
[[Category:17th-century Japanese calligraphers]]
[[Category:17th-century Japanese philosophers]]
[[Category:17th-century martial artists]]
[[Category:Artist authors]]
[[Category:Japanese Buddhists]]
[[Category:Japanese duelists]]
[[Category:Japanese military writers]]
[[Category:Japanese non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Japanese painters]]
[[Category:Japanese swordfighters]]
[[Category:Kendo]]
[[Category:Martial arts school founders]]
[[Category:Martial arts writers]]
[[Category:Samurai]]
[[Category:People of the Edo period]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]