宮本武蔵

Miyamoto Musashi

Swordsman, calligrapher, ink painter and strategist. Undefeated across more than sixty duels, he spent his final years distilling a life of combat into five short scrolls.

1. 1584Born in Harima province (approx.).
2. 1596First recorded duel, at thirteen.
3. 1600Present around the Battle of Sekigahara.
4. 1612Duel with Sasaki Kojirō on Ganryūjima.
5. 1640Settles in Kumamoto under the Hosokawa clan.
6. 1643Retreats to the Reigandō cave to write.
7. 1645Completes Go Rin no Sho; dies weeks later.