Q193344
Sign in to saveJapanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer, artist, and rōnin (1584–1645)
AI overview
Miyamoto Musashi was a legendary Japanese swordsman and rōnin (masterless samurai) who lived from 1584 to 1645 and became famous for his undefeated dueling record and innovative sword techniques. Beyond his martial prowess, Musashi was also a philosopher, strategist, writer, and artist whose ideas about strategy and combat—particularly in his book "The Book of Five Rings"—continue to influence martial artists, business leaders, and thinkers worldwide.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Person
- Born
- 1584-00-00
- Died
- 1645-06-05
via Open Library + Wikidata
Key dates
- Born
- 1584
- Died
- 5 June 1645
via Wikidata · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- human
- Gender
- male
- Citizenship
- Japan
- Place of birth
- Harima Province
- Occupation
- samurai
Article
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵; Japanese pronunciation: [mʲi.ja.mo.to (|) mɯꜜ.sa.ɕi], c. 1583 – 13 June 1645) 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. Musashi is considered a kensei (sword saint) of Japan. He was the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū (or Nito Ichi-ryū) style of swordsmanship. In his final years, Musashi authored 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, Musashi's most important student, seven days before Musashi's death. The Book of Five Rings 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.