by Rudy Rogers
September 26, 2003

Rating: 5 out of 5 | Votes: 1
This article has been viewed 606 time(s).

Miyamoto Musashi was a legendary swordsman of 14th century Japan. Born to an elite samurai family he took up swordsmanship at a young age. He killed a man when he was only 13, another samurai.

He fought in over 5 battles in the war-torn time of fuedal Japan. After these campaigns he decided to devote his life to the study of the sword in order to gain enlightenment. During that time he won over 60 duels before he was 30!

In one of those famouse duels Musashi fought against Sasaki Kojiro a rival swordsman of great repute. The duel was to take place on an island, and in accordance to Musashi's eclectic style arrived more than fashionably late. While crossing to the place of the match he whittled a boat oar down in preparation for the battle.

Once Musashi arrived he leapt from the boat and charged Kojiro. Engaging Kojiro, Musashi was sure to keep his own back to the sun, making it difficult for his opponent to focus on and deal with Mushashi's attack.After winning this duel against Sasaki, Musashi stopped using live blades.

Musahi retired from dueling to a life of seclusion in a cave called "Reigendo", where he wrote "Go Rin No Sho" or The Book Of Five Rings. This book is unique to other books of martial art in that it deals with both the strategy of warfare and the methods of single combat in exactly the same way. It is not neccessarily a book on strategy but a guide for those who want to learn strategy

Musashi is known to the Japanese as "Kinsei", or, Sword Saint. Below are the 9 tenents that Musashi lived by and are written in The Book Of Five Rings in the Ground book.

The Way Of Strategy
From the book of Ground of the Book Of Five Rings
by Miyamoto Musashi

1. Do not think dishonestly.
2. The Way is in training.
3. Become aquainted with every art.
4. Know the Ways of all professions.
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.
6. Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything.
7. Perceive those things which cannot be seen.
8. Pay attention even to trifles.
9. Do nothing which is of no use.

Rudy has fought many times in the ring as a Thai fighter and professional boxer in Japan, Canada, and the United States and has trained many aspiring fighters to victory. He has worked as a doorman for many of Minneapolis' finest bars and nightclubs for over 10yrs.

Rudy's favorite martial art is all of them. But if he had to pick one it would be Kali and the Filipino Martial Arts.