Miyamoto Musashi
In this Japanese name, the family name is "Miyamoto". Miyamoto Musashi 宮本 武蔵 Miyamoto Musashi in his prime, wielding two bokken. Woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Born Shinmen Musashi No Kami Fujiwara No Genshin c. 1584 Harima Province, Japan Died June 13, 1645(1645-06-13) (aged 60-61) Higo Province, Japan from natural causes (probably stomach cancer) Native name 宮本 武蔵 Other names Shinmen Takezō; Miyamoto Bennosuke; Niten Dōraku; Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Genshin Residence Japan Style Kenjutsu Teacher(s) none verified Notable students Terao Magonojo; Terao Motomenosuke; Furuhashi Sōzaemon Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵?, c. 1584 – June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was an expert Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age. He was the founder of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū or Niten-ryū style of swordsmanship and the author of The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho?), a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.