Musashi vs. Kojiro
Miyamoto Musashi’s most famous duel was against Sasaki Kojiro, his greatest and most skilled opponent. It was said that Sasaki fought many duels against Japan’s best and never lost.
Sasaki developed a very effective Kenjutsu style based on the movement of a swallow’s tail in flight. Unlike other samurai who used the traditional ‘katana’, Sasaki used a ‘no-dachi’, which was a very long two-handed sword. Despite the sword’s length and weight, Kojiro’s strikes with the weapon were unusually quick and precise. Kojiro was Lord Hosokawa Tadaoki’s private kenjutsu instructor.
The two greatest swordsmen agreed to fight, and the duel took place on April 13, 1612 on Ganryu Island, located off the coast of the Bizen Province. The duel was set for early the next morning. On the day of the fight, Sasaki Kojiro and the officials serving as witnesses waited for Musashi for hours. His absence lead to the rumor that Musashi had run away in fear of his life because he was so terrified of Sasaki Kojiro’s technique. Nothing was further from the truth. (Article)
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The are different accounts as to how this duel happened. The one I know, and prefer to tell, is that Musashi was alone on the boat, but instead of rowing, he allow the current to take him, as he patiently carved the oar into a bokken. This was the reason why he was so overly late.
Kojiro was angry at Musashi’s late arrival. As soon as Musashi stepped off the boat, Kojiro screamed “You’re late!” and insulted him.
Musashi smiled, and Kojiro, blinded by his anger and noticing Musashi’s bokken carved out of an oar, instead of a real sword, lost what was left of his patience, drew his sword, threw the scabbard away, and launched towards Musashi.
At this moment Musashi yelled “You have already lost!“
Kojiro, upon reaching his opponent, raised his sword and cut down with incredible speed and precision. The target, his opponent’s head.
Musashi stepped back, and Kojiro missed by exactly one inch. Musashi knew exactly how long Kojiro’s no-dachi was, and had prepared accordingly. The bokken he carved was exactly one inch longer than Kojiro’s sword. As his opponent missed, Musashi brought down his bokken with equal speed and power, hitting Kojiro, and knocking him down.
Musashi stepped over Kojiro, and delivered a final blow to the ribs, puncturing his lung and killing him.
Musashi simply turned and quickly got back to his boat and sailed away, before the officials that were accompanying Kojiro got to him.
Another version says that Kojiro attacked low, and musashi dodged by jumping, striking Kojiro in the head as he came down.
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Like I said, there are different versions as to the exact way the duel happened, but no matter which one is right, if any, there’s was this fact:
Musashi arrived late on purpose. He knew his opponent would be angry and wouldn’t think straight, and he took full advantage of it, instigating Kojiro into attacking him without thinking, while blinded by rage.
There’s a version of the story in which Musashi purposely had the sun behind him.
Musashi knew exactly what he was doing and how he would counter Kojiro’s sword.
Here are two depictions of the fight in movies.
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