Many martial artists strive to achieve recognition for their work, yet only a handful stand above all others are recognized as legends. Samurai Miyamoto Musashi who lived in Japan from 1584 to 1645, would be acknowledged as a great swordsmen and warrior early on in life, and would become the stuff of legend and revered as the greatest swordsman who ever lived. Through his writings and tales of his adventures though future generations would come to the same conclusion and every martial artist regardless of style can learn from him still today. For Musashi it wasn’t about glory or personal achievement; it was all about surviving in combat.

Today most martial artists don’t have actual combat first and foremost in their minds when they train. Very few of them ever see real combat, let alone get into a fight outside of high school. Sure they spend some time learning self defense, but most know they will probably never even get in a fight so their primary focus is on sport competitions.

In 17th century Japan it was a different story.  For the samurai warrior class it was all about fighting hard and dying well. Competition was only about preparing for war. Every day was a day to train both physically and mentally. Musashi grew up in this environment filled with savagery and honor, and he quickly learned that if you wanted to survive you had to do whatever it took.

According to record, Miyamoto was born in Harima Province Japan in the year 1584 where his father Shinmen Munisai was already an accomplished swordsmen and martial artist. He ran a local martial arts school and was considered the best swordsmen in Japan by the shogun. Though records are unclear it is believed that he died while Musashi was still young so his upbringing and education was entrusted to his uncles, Dorino a priest and Tasumi who married into the family. Under them he would learn reading and writing, but also the sword and the art of the jitte, a wooden stick used by law enforcement at the time. There are many legends about his youth and how Musashi got his reputation, but one thing was clear he took to martial arts extremely quickly.

Musashi would have his first duel at the age of 13 when, against his uncle’s wishes, he responded to an open challenge from a samurai named Arima Kihei. Though his uncle tried to get his nephew out of the fight, Kihei was more than willing to take on the youngster. Musashi arrived at the dual armed with only a six-foot staff and took on the sword wielding Kihei who charged him. Musashi responded by throwing the more experienced warrior and began beating him to death with blows to the head. This first dual would set the tone for the next 60 plus duals Musashi would fight and win by using his simple, but effective strategy of never fighting his enemy on their terms. He knew in a real fight there was no such thing as unfair.

Musashi had no illusions, when it was a matter of life and death; the stakes were too high to play fair. If he was going to win he would be unconventional and never do what his enemies expected. If his opponent agreed to fight him at a select time he would arrive later or earlier. Once his lateness so enraged an opponent that the samurai came charging at him furiously, and Musashi countered by simply getting out of his way and taking the man’s  head off.  In another case he arrived early and ambushed his enemy while they were on the way to the duel’s location. When questioned about his behavior he simply said they should have been ready. Though he was a master swordsman, in true samurai fashion he would not favor the sword. Often he would use a bokken (wooden training sword) as well as other weapons that would throw opponents off guard, and some believe to make the fight more challenging for him.  

If Musashi was alive today he would be considered a dirty fighter by some standards, but it wouldn’t matter to Musashi, as long as he survived. Anyone who has ever been in a real fight he knows this to be true.

Musashi went beyond the training and any concepts a fighter might have about honor and got to the heart of the matter. If you wanted to live you had to win, and that meant doing whatever was necessary. On the streets you never know who your dealing with so you have to assume the worst so fight to win because your life might depend on it, and don’t ever limit yourself with some preconceived notion about what is right an honorable. It doesn’t matter who’s right, just who’s left!