Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Miyamoto Musashi (Japanese Samurai Warrior, Artist)

Musashi Miyamoto (1584–1645,) fully Shinmen Musashi no Kama, Fujiwara no Genshin, was a renowned Japanese swordsman and artist of the early Tokugawa period. Referred to today as Kensai (“sword saint,”) Musashi is supposed to have been one of the most skillful swordsmen in history.

Born in Japan’s Harima province, Musashi began his profession as a fighter early in life when, at age 13, he killed a man in single combat. A rōnin (masterless samurai,) he made his reputation in over sixty duels between the age of 13 and 29, and subsequently made a living teaching swordsmanship. Nerveless and with the reflexes of a scorpion, he ceased using swords towards the end of his dueling career, but still killed his opponents with whatever came to hand.

Legend has it that Musashi wrote his classic work on strategy, tactics, and philosophy—Go Rin No Sho (1643; The Book of Five Rings,) which dealt with the martial experience both individually and militarily—on his deathbed. A distillation of Zen, Shinto, and Confucius philosophies, this manual of strategy details such techniques as “the abdomen timing of two” or “the Chinese monkey’s body,” and offers practical tips such as, “It is better to use two swords rather than one when you are fighting a crowd.” Following its first English translation in 1974, the book has enjoyed a broad readership; executives in the West still study it to understand Japanese management techniques and strategies better.

Musashi also authored Dokkōdō (The Path of Aloneness) upon giving away his possessions in preparation for death. It consists of 21 percepts that articulate a rigorous, candid, and austere view of life.

Also an artist of suiboku-ga, or sumi-e, (monochrome ink painting,) Musashi painted in a powerful and direct style with an astonishing economy of strokes. He is mainly celebrated for such monochrome paintings of birds as Koboku Meikakuzu (“Shrike Perched in a Dead Tree”) and Rozanzu (“Wild Geese among Reeds,”) which are national treasures.

The Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Inagaki made the Samurai TrilogyMiyamoto Musashi (1954; Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film, 1956; U.S. rel. Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto,) Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955) and Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)—starring Toshiro Mifune as Musashi and based on the novel Musashi (1935) by historical novelist Eiji Yoshikawa.

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Miyamoto Musashi

The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him.
Miyamoto Musashi

There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.
Miyamoto Musashi
Topics: Harmony

The gaze should be large and broad. … In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Miyamoto Musashi
Topics: Perception

The essense of a warrior is to build an indomitable spirit and an iron will; to believe you cannot fail in doing anything.
Miyamoto Musashi

In fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit.
Miyamoto Musashi
Topics: Bravery, Courage

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