The Real Musashi: The Origins of a Legend

Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584-1645) is the most revered and celebrated swordsman in Japanese history; unfortunately, our modern portrait of this folk hero is derived mainly from popular books, comics, and film, with little heed paid to the early denki, chronicles that faithfully recorded what was passed down by those who knew Musashi.

The Bushū denraiki is the earliest such record still in existence. Completed in 1727 by Tachibana Minehira, alias Tanji Hōkin, the fifth generation master of Musashi's Niten Ichi school of fencing, it is the most reliable record of Musashi's life and exploits outside those from the hand of the master swordsman himself. Now, after three centuries, Minehira's insights into this solitary and enigmatic swordsman are available to the English reader. His text throws a new and refreshing light on many aspects of especially Musashi's early life-his troubled relationship with his father, his first battle experience during Japan's period of unification, the sad death of his illegitimate child, and of course his legendary duel on Ganryū island. For those interested in the sword culture of Japan, this true story of its most iconic figure is essential reading.