Was Miyamoto Musashi's First Duel a Setup?

Miyamoto Musashi is considered one of the greatest Samurai swordsmen of all time. He was a noted duelist and author of Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings), a book about strategy, combat tactics and martial philosophy that is still studied by martial artists today. In spite of his universally acknowledged greatness, there is some controversy surrounding his first duel to the death that occurred when Miyamoto Musashi was the tender age of 13.

Like many significant historical figures, Miyamoto Musashi's early life details are hazy. His birth date, and the eventual fate of his father are the subjects of debate. According to his tomb, he died in 1580. This lack of detail in his early life opens the door to debate on all aspects of his early life, particularly the circumstances surrounding his first duel.

According to Musashi in his own words:

"I have trained in the way of strategy since my youth, and at the age of thirteen I fought a duel for the first time. My opponent was called Arima Kihei, a sword adept of the Shinto ryu, and I defeated him. At the age of sixteen I defeated a powerful adept by the name of Akiyama, who came from the province of Tajima. At the age of twenty-one I went up to Kyoto and fought duels with several adepts of the sword from famous schools, but I never lost."
—Miyamoto Musashi, Go Rin No Sho

This account is expanded on in a later work by William Scott Wilson:

In 1596, Musashi was 13, and Arima Kihei, who was traveling to hone his art, posted a public challenge in Hirafuku-mura. Musashi wrote his name on the challenge. A messenger came to Dorin's temple, where Musashi was staying, to inform Musashi that his duel had been accepted by Kihei. Dorin, Musashi's uncle, was shocked by this, and tried to beg off the duel in Musashi's name, based on his nephew's age. Kihei was adamant that the only way his honor could be cleared was if Musashi apologized to him when the duel was scheduled. So when the time set for the duel arrived, Dorin began apologizing for Musashi, who merely charged at Kihei with a six-foot quarterstaff, shouting a challenge to Kihei. Kihei attacked with a wakizashi, but Musashi threw Kihei on the floor, and while Kihei tried to get up, Musashi struck him between the eyes and then beat him to death. Arima was said to have been arrogant, overly eager to fight, and not a terribly talented swordsman.
—William Scott Wilson, The Lone Samurai[10]

Note: Even though his tomb states his year of death as 1580, his accepted date of birth is in 1583.

Detractors are quick to point to this first duel as a chance to discredit the legend of Musashi. They point out the fact that Musashi was only 13, and wouldn't have been allowed to duel an adult. Also, some critics claim the apology from Musashi's uncle was meant to serve as a distraction and allow the young Musashi to "get the drop" on his opponent.

The real truth, like so many of history's mysteries, will never be 100% known.

What is known to be fact is that Musashi later went on to win better documented duels. This coupled with the fact that his book, still studied today, proves he was both knowledgable and experienced in all things combat-related. His lifetime of honorable warrior conduct weighs heavily against those who would claim that Musashi, the most famous of samurai, used deceipt in his first duel. Great men are always the target of critics. Rather than better themselves, some people would prefer to cast doubt on legends whose greatness punctuates how average are their own lives.

BladeMaster Steve is a staff writer at HeavenlySwords.com, your online retailer and importer of high quality final fantasy swords. For great deals on video game sword replicas visit them today!