Miyamoto Musashi

[gray]

Musashi is also one of my favorite historical warriors as well. I've read several translations of his book, Go Rin no Sho, and tried to get my hands on whatever books about his life and accomplishments were available. I have a few of them in pdf form, so I will upload them later.

Other than Musashi, there were a few other Japanese swordsmen that were undefeated throughout their lives, like Tsukahara Bokuden or Itto Ittosai. They also developed different swordsmanship styles. What I liked about Musashi most, other than his martial skills, was the attitude of self-reliance he had and that he didn't conform to the norms of society at that time (it was customary for known swordsmen to open schools under the patronage of a lord or serve as instructors to the shogun). Instead, Musashi just kept traveling from place to place without remaining the retinue of a daimyo (at least until he went to the Hosokawa).

By the day, that drawing of Musashi comes from the Vagabond manga, which is about Musashi's life, and I highly recommend it, it's an excellent series. A mix of historic facts and fiction, but you definitely should give it a try, even if not for Musashi, it has sword fights and it's really well drawn.

There is a fiction novel written about Musashi, by Yoshikawa Eiji, which I also recommend.

[Darkvision]

It is fine to have different list of badass people, for we all have different criteria with it. For me, badass is when you use melee weapon to fight someone, face to face, rather then snipe people from long distance. But that does not mean I dislike sniper shooter. I pretty much like Zajcev, russian ww2 sniper dude. It can be due to fact that I didn't heard of more people so, my list kinda look like this. I remember there was some kind of gladiator who won his freedom over and over. That's also badass.

Oh indeed, and i wasnt trying to like one up or anything. I love reading about people who seem to have a screw loose in the most awesome of ways. Indeed their are a few from Japan that i rate very highly. I was just more or less sharing some other bad-asses that i was/am aware of because i think its simply awesome reading. If you are more into the martial side of things, id suggest going and reading some history on Silat from Malaysia/Indonisia. It was the first "modern" martial arts in the fact that it was the first of its kind to have moves specifically designed against someone armed with a "modern" fire arm. So imagine unarmed to farm tool equipped peasants fighting off the british with sheer bad-assery. Just awesome stuff. Israel also ofc has a number of interesting men and women who have pulled off stuff so ballsy im rather sure  anyone in a 100km radius around them found they were missing theirs.

Oh and dont think im not aware of some total bad-asses on say the Nazi side of the war. Karl Donitz is a good example to me of this, implemented a few brilliant strategy, but more importantly stood up for the "Naval code" that has been around for, well forever. By that i mean he was still rescuing allied naval personnel from sinking ships. Against Hitlers orders. When Hitler found out he was ignoring that order, he sent it again, to promptly be ignored...again. Hitler executed people for much less. I mean this guy knew he could be signing his own death warrant, and continued to do what he felt right in spite of it. So as one of the few Germans in high command to not be a total dick, and to willingly put his life on the line to save his enemies i give the guy major props. One other note about him:After Hitler offed himself, he was the guy in charge. He promptly surrendered. Gives you an idea of the kind of man he was, he fought for his countrys barbaric war, but didnt let it turn him into a barbarian.

[0E 800]

I feel its only right that you include a link to one of Miyamoto Musashi best known works on strategy and swordplay

The Book of Five Rings  - 五輪書  - Go Rin No Sho

Although it is difficult to grasp it from the book, Go Rin No Sho, these books are actually the teachings which Musashi preached to his students in his own dōjō. Despite taking some ideas from others, the books are not based on any other school of teaching.

The five "books" refer to the idea that there are different elements of battle, just as there are different physical elements in life, as described by Buddhism, Shinto, and other Eastern religions. The five books below are Musashi's descriptions of the exact methods or techniques which are described by such elements.

https://www.uvm.edu/~asnider/IDAS_2011_CD/Teachers/Steve%20Llano's%20Materials/Strategy%20Books/Book%20of%20Five%20Rings%20-%20Musashi.pdf

[Code.Illusionist]

I left that for each person to find on his own. I think it's not hard to find that book if you are interested to read it, but still, thanks for sharing it for others. =)

[th31nitiate]

Man thanks so much for posting this, this guy is an inspiration to all and is someone who his knowledge can be applied to each and any field of work.


Its nice to see the response aswell it seems as though some of the evil zone member have good understanding and in intreset in some form or aspect of the Bushido lifestyle, which is cool and makes me slightly excited.

[Code.Illusionist]

Yes! At first, I feared that many would ignore this thread for I feared that not many love this type of things. I was surprised to see this number of interested people and many of them who know a lot more. That's why this forum is epic.

[Deque]

Yes! At first, I feared that many would ignore this thread for I feared that not many love this type of things. I was surprised to see this number of interested people and many of them who know a lot more. That's why this forum is epic.

I am glad you posted this, because this person was entirely new to me, although he seems to be well-known.
And yes, we have indeed lots of people interested in lots of different things. Keep that fresh air coming.