The Way I Go By Myself

1.                  I never act contrary to traditional morality.

2.                  I have no partiality for anyone or anything.

3.                  I never try to snatch a moment of ease.

4.                  I think little of myself but much of the public.

5.                  I am entirely free of acquisitiveness throughout my life.

6.                  I never regret what I have done.

7.                  I never envy others for their good luck, or on account of my ill luck.

8.                  I never grieve at parting from anyone or anything at whatever time.

9.                  I never reproach either myself or others; never complain about myself or others.

10.              I never dream of falling in love with a woman.

11.              Like or dislikes, I have none.

12.              Whatever my dwelling house may be, I take no objection to it.

13.              I never desire dainty food for myself.

14.              I never have antique objects or curios in my possession.

15.              I never perform purification or observe abstinence to protect myself against evils.

16.              I have no taste for implements of any kind, excepting swords and other arms.

17.              I would never grudge my life in the cause of righteousness.

18.              I never wish to have any estate that would make my old age comfortable.

19.              I worship Gods and Buddhas, but never think of depending on them.

20.              I would sooner lay down my life than disgrace my good name.

21.              Never for a moment does my heart and soul stray from the way of swordsmanship.

 

The 12th day of the 5th month, the second year of Shoho (May 12, 1645)

Shinmen Musashi

 

The mottoes above were translated in 1965 by Professor Giichiro Ikeda (NiTen Ryu Head Master)

There were 8 men calling themselves Miyamoto Musashi.  6 were false and 2 were true.  We are concerned with Miyamoto Musashi Genshin.  Miyamoto Musashi Masana was born from60 to 82 years after the birth of Genshin.  Masana also practiced two-sword swordsmanship, and was related to Genshin.  It has been very difficult for historians to separate the activities of these two.  In addition, the “adventures” of the other 6 add to the confusion.  The book by Yoshikawa Eiji, is almost totally fiction according to Shimada-San, Musashi’s historian in Kumamoto, who gave Mr. Yoshikawa the limited amount of material that was known about Musashi.  He wrote me that he was amazed at how Mr. Yoshikawa had expanded it for his book.  The motion pictures, by Toho and Toei, are based upon this fiction.

The body of Nitengu Miyamoto Musashi Genshin lies peacefully in Kumamoto-ken, near Kumamoto-shi.

 Originally published in the newsletter of the Japanese Sword Society/US, circa 1980.

The above picture is an 18th century illustration of Musashi in “Happo Biraki” or “Open on all eight sides” kamae (posture).  There is no possible opening for an attack.

By, James Italico Rodriguez

 

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