Random Insanely Violent Life Of Greatest Samurai (14 items)

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  (#12) He Fought In The Epochal Battle Of Sekigahara

  In October, 1600, Japan was at a crossroads. The man who had unified much of the island under one banner, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, perished in 1598. The resulting struggle for succession was decided in a battle in the valley of Sekigahara between Ishida Mitsunari and his forces – claiming to represent the interests of Hideyoshi's young son, Hideyori – and noted general and former ally of Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

  Despite being outnumbered 80,000 to 74,000, Tokugawa's forces won the day when one of Ishida's allies defected. Ishida was driven into the mountains and slaughtred several days later. The decisive victory marked the end of the Sekigahara period and the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

  Musashi was one of many shugyosha who fought in order to make a name for himself. Unfortunately, he fought for the side of Ishida. He did, however, survive, and he went on to fight more battles and duels. While he didn't gain renown in battle, he did gain valuable experience that would help him become Japan's greatest swordsman.
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  (#5) At Age 21, He Defeated Two Sword Masters In Quick Succession

  When Musashi Musashi arrived in Kyoto in 1604, he was unknown; he was determined, however, to make a name for himself. To do so, he challenged Yoshioka Seijuro of the Yoshioka Clan to a duel.

  The Yoshioka clan were swordfighting teachers who had tutored members of the powerful Ashikaga clan for four generations, running one of the eight great sword schools in Kyoto. They taught using the Yoshioka Ryu style. Musashi might not have even secured a duel with them were it not for his father's reputation as a skilled swordsman.

  On the morning of the duel, Musashi purposefully arrived late to anger his opponent. This strategy proved successful – Musashi won handily, breaking Seijuro's arm with his bokuto. Seijuro was so dishonored, he quit swordsmanship and became a Zen monk.

  Seijuro's brother, Yoshioka Denshichiro, challenged Musashi to a duel to restore his clan's honor; as such, the duel was to be fatal. Again, Musashi arrived late. Using a bokuto, he ended Denshichiro with a single blow to the head.
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  (#9) He Spent Years Wandering As A Shugyosha

  When Musashi was a teenager, he left his hometown to trek around Japan. His samurai journey, called musha shugyō, saw him wandering the wilderness training, dueling those he could challenge, and living a taxing, minimalist lifestyle. Becoming a homeless vagrant was a common way to develop a name for yourself as a samurai, and often landed warriors employment. Life as a shugyosha wasn't easy, but it helped Musashi become a fierce warrior.

  In A Book of Five Rings, Musashi wrote, “Do not sleep under a roof. Carry no money or food. Go alone to places frightening to the common brand of men. Become a criminal of purpose. Be put in jail, and extricate yourself by your own wisdom.” 
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  (#2) He Was Undefeated In 60 Duels

  Duels in early 17th-century Japan were often fatal. Miyamoto Musashi spent a large portion of his life traveling across Japan engaging in duels, slaughtering many master duelists along the way. Through this campaign of continual combat, Musashi perfected his skills and rose to become the greatest swordsman in Japanese history.

  Not only did Musashi risk his life during his various duels, he also served in several battles. He wrote in A Book of Five Rings,

  "Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.

  In my strategy, the training for killing enemies is by way of many contests, fighting for survival, discovering the meaning of life and death, learning the Way of the sword, judging the strength of attacks and understanding the Way of the 'edge and ridge' of the sword."
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  (#8) He Fought Against – And Defeated – Masters Of Every Weapon

  Musashi didn't just fight swordsmen in duels; he purposefully sought out masters of every weapon. In 1607, he sought out an undefeated master of the kusarigama (sickle and chain) named Shishido Baiken. According to legend, Baiken struck first with the chain, dulling and bending Musashi's blade. As the two drew close to one another, Musashi pulled out his short sword, usually only used in ritual suicide. Baiken hesitated, providing Musashi with the opportunity to drive the short sword into Baiken. With his last breath Baiken whispered, "Thank you."

  Later that same year, Musashi defeated Muso Gonnosuke who was a master of jojutsu (a short staff technique). At the time, Gonnosuke had allegedly never lost a duel. Since the two agreed to battle with wooden swords, Gonnosuke survived, despite his defeat. Gonnosuke spent years training for a rematch, only for Musashi to win again.

  In A Book of Five Rings, Musashi wrote, "You should not have a favorite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well."
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  (#4) He Won His First Duel When He Was 13

  While Musashi was a young man living at a Zen temple with his uncle, wandering samurai Arima Kihei came seeking challengers. Kihei, of the Shinto-Ryu school of kenjutsu, traveled from town to town issuing open challenges to anyone who would duel him. When the 13-year-old Musashi challenged him, he didn't take the boy seriously. 

  The next day, at the time of the duel, Musashi knocked his opponent to the ground and beat him with his wooden sword – known as a bokuto – until Kihei perished in a pool of his own blood. 

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