Miyamoto Musashi: The Lone Samurai

Miyamoto Musashi was the greatest swordsman to ever come out a nation of great swordsmen - Japan. His story, which has become the basis for countless flying swordsman Oriental movies, is one of raw courage, unbridled ambition and unparalleled mindfulness. In one on one combat he defeated 60 opponents, yet his greatest legacy is his seminal work, the Book of Five Rings, which is still pored over my military tacticians and mindfulness enthusiasts 450 years after it was written.

Vote for the Biography you want us to next. Click here to vote:

Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Steve Theunissen
Producer - Samuel Avila
Executive Producer - Shell Harris

Other Biographics Videos:

Erwin Rommel: The General Who Defied Hitler

Genghis Khan: His Life And His Legacy

[Biographics]

Hello everyone. We've been experimenting with a bit of a podcast (a few people were asking for audio versions so they can get Biographics while doing other things)! Fair warning: none of these are new biographies, but rather me having a bit more of a free form chat around the script. I'd love to know what you think, if these are useful, wanted etc :). Thanks, Simon.

Links:

[DennGreenIII]

You left out the part where he would show up incredibly late to duels, making his opponent irrationally mad, and win by taking advantage of their frustration. His favorite weapon was not a sword or a spear, it was his opponents anger.

[acetrigger]

a man that lives until Old Age in a era of War is a man to be either feared, or respected.

Mushashi was both.

[wyattasher]

Imagine being so badass you die while meditating.
*feels deaths presence while mediating*
Musashi: “I’m ready now”
Death: “fucking finally dude.”

[ezio]

"The key to winning every battle, is to fight as if you're already dead" -Miyamoto Musashi

[jackdeth]

Musashi's Goals in Life:

1. Become the greatest swordsman.
2. EVER.

[IKEMENOsakaman]

“Truth is not what you want it to be; It is what it is and you must bend to its power or live a lie.” - Musashi Miyamoto

[anoninunen]

Taught as an honorable warrior of the two-sword-style, Fought by bashing you with a log when your back was turned. Absolute legend.

[SangTheCryptek]

I'm surprised you glossed over his unique fighting style of using 2 swords. The way he lays it out in his book is hilariously blunt and amazing. He basically says 'Why limit yourself to one sword? Get strong enough to wield 2; now you're twice as good."

[mitchf]

He became one of the greatest swordsmen to ever live and his father still was disappointed in him. That probably fueled his warrior spirit

[HeliRy]

Teaches everyone how to fight with two swords.... shows up to battle with a five-foot staff.
If that isn’t cunning, I don’t know what is.

[popofabulous]

Ah man, you missed an important point about the Yoshioka duels. You made it sound like Musashi caught them off guard and bum rushed him. The real story was that Musashi was intentionally hours late to the duels, enraging his opponents and breaking their focus. The following day he showed up early and ambushed his would be assassins while they were leaving a building, forcing them to fight him a few at a time. In my opinion these were the most important duels he had because it showed the kind of tactician he really was. That is the reason I love Musashi. Not only was he incredibly skilled but he was completely original in his approach to combat.

[Razzrazz]

Miyamoto literally level-capped all his stats and started using tutorial weapons to still win duels

[David_Me]

"You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour."
- Miyamoto Musashi

[GenJotsu]

"Why have a sword and a shield, when you can have a sword and a sword."

[hyperhare]

So, basically every great fictional samurai warrior is based off this guy?

[アソビニン-bu]

He's the only samurai who goes down in japanese history as second sword style user. in other word no one have ever beem able to use two sword style perfectly except for him.

[Letifer]

As someone who took enough interest in Musashi to travel to Japan to visit places he stayed and the cave in Kumamoto I can say this is hands down the best bio of his life I've ever seen, top notch!!!!

[nightshadeii]

“Speak softly and carry a big f**king stick.” - ‘The Book of the 5 Rings’ Miyamoto Musashi

[Hamza]

Disowned by his father, taken in by his distant uncle who was a former warrior? Sounds like Prince Zuko to me 🕵🏿‍♀️ lmfao