A legendary swordsman said to have been born in Harima or Mimasaka Province, with the childhood name Bennosuke. He won his first duel against Arima Kihei at the age of thirteen and reportedly never lost in more than sixty duels throughout his life. He independently developed the 'Niten Ichi-ryu' style of fighting with two swords simultaneously. The most famous episode of his life is the 1612 duel on Ganryujima island, where he is said to have defeated Sasaki Kojiro's 'Swallow Turn' technique. While continuing to travel and refine his swordsmanship across Japan, he also excelled in ink painting, calligraphy, sculpture, and lacquerware, applying his sword philosophy to artistic practice. In his later years he entered Kumamoto as a guest of Lord Hosokawa Tadatoshi, secluded himself in the cave Reigando, and wrote 'The Book of Five Rings,' the summation of his military philosophy. Composed of the Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void scrolls, this book transcends swordsmanship and is read worldwide today as a philosophy of life. He died in 1645 shortly after completing it, at approximately sixty-one or sixty-two.

A seeker who taught "1,000 days of training to forge, 10,000 days to polish." He walked a solitary path, never marrying. A man of both sword and brush, accomplished in martial arts and fine arts alike.

"The Book of Five Rings" is read worldwide not only for martial arts but as business strategy and life philosophy. Niten Ichi-ryu continues today, and Musashi remains the ultimate symbol of the Japanese swordsman.