Samurai vs. Samurai : Miyamoto Musashi & The Boat Oar Fight

On the beach of a remote Japanese island, in the year 1612, two of Japan's greatest swordsmen, Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro met in what would go down as the greatest Samurai duel in history. But despite the Samurai traditions of honor and ceremony, this brutal fight will be won with highly unorthodox- and highly controversial- tactics.

By the end of the day, one of these men would be dead, and the story of their brutal fight, would go on to become the stuff of Japanese legend.

Don't miss this story of cunning, courage and skill in one of the most high-stakes one-on-one duels of all time, brought to you only here on History At The OK Corral : Home Of History's Greatest Shootouts & Showdowns!

MUSIC
"Waltz For Zachariah" by Blue Dot Sessions

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LINKS TO SOURCES

[Davivd]

It's important to note that Musashi felt a great sense of regret after this incident. He never fought to the death again and only dueled with wooden swords afterwards.

[ItzJustHistory]

I love how the greatest dual in Japanese history consisted of a guy shambling on to a beach, side-stepping his opponent’s only attack, and then proceeding to beat the man’s brains in, and shambling his way back off the beach 😅

[kojiattwood]

"You fought without honour!"
Musashi points at Sasaki Kojiro's body: "He did"

[badjesus]

My dad bought me The Book of 5 Rings when i was 12.. he inscribed it, one of my greatest treasures from 2 great men.

[John-...]

Musashi got into his opponent's head and the fight was over before it started!

[The_ZeroLine]

Once again, such a great script. _“Genius is often not recognized its own time. Such is the case now.”_ Loved this and every other part.

[kevinc]

As my dad always used to say, “son, never bring a razor sharp steel sword to a modified dull wooden boat oar fight on the beach at sunset.” I’m so thankful for that very specific advice. 🥹

Thanks pops.
-MM

[AlexanderosD]

The Wild West of the East!
This was an enjoyable addition to the many stories you've shared with us.

[The_ZeroLine]

I immediately guessed when you described how the boat approached and he disembarked, he was intentionally trying to put Kojiro on tilt.

[bc]

Very interesting to hear your usual twangy Country background music to a Samurai tale. Good one,

[josephsorrendino]

One of the greatest stories in history.

[Ronin____]

Myamoto wasn't late. A master arrives precise when he means to. He was already inside his opponent's head and he wasn't even on the island yet. His opponent was angered and in that moment, he already lost. Myamoto's wisdom still teaches valuable life lessons today, for warriors and everyone else. Thanks for making this video.

[garykirscher]

Great narration and wonderfully written.

[tdh]

As a lifetime martial artist, really enjoyed this episode. The Book of Five Rings a "must read" for all who practice any of the martial arts. The concept of "mai" ( correct distancing) in obvious use in this duel. Unlike the movies, most duels between true masters are over within 3 moves. Keep these "duel videos" coming please.

[absenttk]

Musashi himself wrote a book called “The Five Rings” which I highly recommend. In many ways, it is to one-on-one combat what “The Art of War” is to large group combat. He relates this story in the early chapters.

[JPGoertz]

You do such a truly GREAT job telling his-stories. Thank you! This episode extends your repertoire to Japan. I throughly enjoyed it - as well as the Maya/Cortez-stories...

[thepirhomancer]

That Musashi was a crafty one, literally!

[WyomingTraveler]

I enjoy the story very much, even though I have heard it several times, and even read an account. stories of the samurai can be both one of honor and other times wicked gore.

[HistoricallyRomantic]

Beautiful. I have read the book of 5 rings dozens of times, and seen Kill Bill Volume 1 hundred of times.

[danielmartin]

Awesome. This story was in the first book novel I read as a kid. It was the last book in a series by Eiji Yoshikawa