Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, c. 1584 - 13 June 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke, or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer, and rōnin who became famous for his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 61 duels (next is 33 by Itō Ittōsai). Musashi, as he was often referred to, is regarded as a Kensei, or Japanese sword-saint. Miyamoto Musashi founded the Niten Ichi-ryū, or Nito Ichi-ryū , swordsmanship style, and in his later years wrote The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho) and Dokkōdō (The Path of Aloneness).

Both his documents were given to Terao Magonojō, Musashi's most important student, seven days before his death. The Book of Five Rings focuses on the concrete character of his Niten Ichi-ryū school, i.e., his own practical martial art and its generic significance, whereas The Path of Aloneness focuses on the ideas that underpin it, as well as his life's philosophy, in a few short aphoristic sentences.

To honor his name and legend as one of the most important historical figures in Japan, the Miyamoto Musashi Budokan training center was built in Ōhara-chō (Mimasaka), Okayama prefecture, Japan.