The Incredible Miyamoto Musashi, Samurai Warrior

When you think of a Samurai Warrior, you in-vision a Japanese warrior, dressed in armour, carrying a sword and wearing a top knot. I think most people who have studied the martial arts in any detail have heard of one such famous Samurai named, Miyamoto Musashi.

The Samurai were considered to be a higher class of people in the hierarchy in ancient Japan. They often came from a lineage of past Samurai and were brought up learning the ways of Martial Arts such as the sword, hand to hand fighting, philosophy, poetry, art, writing and had deep religious faith. Originally, their purpose was to serve and protect the Emperor of Japan and other rulers, and later they became known as more rogue individuals who roamed the country side of ancient Japan, known as Ronan. Some were bodyguards or instructors for hire, while others chose a life in seclusion to find spiritual enlightenment, some even gave up that way of life to become artisans. Miyamoto Musashi was probably one of the most famous Samurai Warriors, due to both his reputation and because of a famous piece of literature he wrote in a cave in 1645 right before his death, called ‘ The Book of Five Rings’. This book, to this day, serves as a very important ‘play book’ in Kendo Dojos, on shelves of Martial artists all over the world and is a very revered book for learning about strategy, both in war and in business even in today’s world.

Miyamoto Musashi was born in 1584 as Shirimen Musashi no-Kama Fujiwara no Genshin. His upbringing was one of the way of the samurai. His father too had been a samurai. Young Miyamoto was educated by his uncle in martial arts, reading, writing, poetry, philosophy and Buddhism. At just 13yrs of age, he fought his first battle and won. Musashi had a reputation of being fierce and aggressive in nature and strong willed. His unkept appearance often took people by surprise. He wondered the country side of Japan seeking solitude and in search of enlightenment. Throughout his journey he met men and participated in challenges which earned him a reputation of a feared warrior. Before the young age of 29 years old he had fought and been undefeated in 60 battles. He once fought in a battle in which he survived and over 70,000 people did not. One of his most well known battles occurred in 1612 and was against another very skilled fighter, named Kojiro. Musashi was famous for using unique strategies when preparing and during a battle. In this particular battle, he travelled by boat to the agreed meeting place. While on the boat he constructed a wooden sword which he made from the spare oar. He reached the location to find Kojiro waiting for him with his long sword. Miyamoto using his fighting strategies, provoked Kojiro into making the first cut and that is when Musashi then delivered the killing blow. It was said that it was after this battle, he stopped using real swords.

Aside from being one of the most well known Samurai in all of Japan, Miyamoto was also known as a very talented artist and sculpture and poet. His art still exists to this day. As time grew, he had a time in which he stayed as a guest of Churi, Lord of Kumanoto Castle and taught art. After some time, Musashi decided to set out again. He eventually ended up seeking seclusion in a cave in the mountains. It was here that he created one of his most well known masterpieces- The book of Five Rings. He created this manuscript as a legacy to his students. The Book of Five Rings has become one of the most fundamental pieces of literature in both the martial arts world and the business world. It is an incredible play book on strategy, warfare and methods in combat. Some of his principles are used to this very day.

Throughout the era of the Samurai there were many famous Samurai which roamed the land of Japan; Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Honda Tadakatsu are just a few to mention. However many would agree that Miyamoto Musashi was by far one of the most famous in Samurai history. His multifaceted personality and skill set made him stand out. The skilled swordsman, who was fierce, strategic, undefeated in 60 battles and the artist who created some of the most beautiful artwork of the samurai era, to the insightful, wise teacher who recorded his legacy in an amazing piece of literature in which generations of Martial Artists and Businessmen have studied. Miyamoto Musashi was a true avatar of his era. His teachings and influence have trickled down throughout history leaving a piece of his legacy in every person who studies him.

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com

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