Miyamoto Musashi
c. 1584–1645 · Japan
“Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.”
Peak-work percentile in the canon.
Portraits
Self-portrait variant showing Musashi standing with daisho and katana, his two-sword stance; near-contemporary likeness from the end of his life, public domain.
Miyamoto Musashi, 1640
Musashi seated in formal robes, the two swords of his Niten Ichi-ryu school resting at his side.
A spare ink rendering of Musashi standing in robes with his two swords thrust through his sash, gaze direct.
Miyamoto Musashi, 1640
Famous Quotes
“From one thing, know ten thousand things.”
“Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.”
“Step by step walk the thousand-mile road.”
“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.”
About Miyamoto Musashi
Legendary Japanese swordsman, philosopher, and artist, widely regarded as the greatest swordsman in Japanese history. He claimed to have fought in over sixty duels without ever being defeated. His Book of Five Rings, written shortly before his death, distills his martial philosophy into a treatise on strategy and self-mastery.