An obscure article printed in a Japanese newspaper　（Nihon Keizai Shinbun Jan 29,2010) last week may not have gained much notice amongst the Japanese readership.  But for those of us that are interested in Japanese history, especially martial history, this article was off the charts.  

If ever a “Kenshi” or sword saint rose to international fame it would be Miyamoto Musashi. There are many versions of his better known treatises and books in English, quasi biographies, television specials, and books of fiction about him that he has the image of being Japan’s ultimate swordsman.  Like the proverbial sign pronouncing that “George Washington slept here,” it seems that everywhere that Musashi travelled lays claim to some direct transmission of seminal sword knowledge. 

This two- column two-inch article was written by an ex-Prime Minister of Japan named Hosokawa Morihiro.  This is a famous clan name and indeed Hosokawa Morihiro is the 18^th successor of the Hosokawa han (fiefdom) It is home to the castle town of Kumamoto where 7 centuries of archives are housed intact in spite of fires, wars and changes in the social order. 

Musashi grew up in the period between Senkoku Jidai (warring states period) and Edo Jidai (The relatively peaceful time of the Tokugawa regime). With the battle of Sekigahara, the role of the gun became firmly entrenched as did the formation of large group tactics to amass firepower. The far reaching consequences would be the eventual unseating of the warrior class with a conscript army trained with rifles requiring much less training.  During Senkoku Jidai the Yari (spear) was the primary weapon not the katana.  

It can be instructive to select such a famous historic figure as Miyamoto Musashi and study both the facts and the folklore surrounding this swordsman. Doing this particular to Musashi is nothing new but I think we’ve found some new general information that brings a bit of clarity to the questions if not the answers…

 Transcending geographical borders, the name “Miyamoto Musashi” is known all over the world.  Much of this common “knowledge” can be attributed to some very enjoyable works of fiction that have been translated into English, most notably, Yoshikawa, Eiji’s “Musashi” as well as non-fiction (depending upon the translator) works such as Musashi’sown text on heiho (strategy) called “Go Rin no Sho” (Book of Five Rings) and various publications that emerged after his death that are more suspect.

When Shimizu Sensei opted into the idea of incorporating Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (SMRJ) into the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) he knew about the controversies this action would create.

 Kuroda Sensei and Shimizu Sensei 1968

 

 

Besides his desire to see Jodo grow worldwide after seeing and teaching such deserving students as Donn F. Draeger et al. he was truly concerned that such a small membership of practitioners within Japan might dwindle to obscurity.  Many of his contemporaries, even close associates opposed his decision to “popularize” Jodo under the much larger Kendo umbrella. There were two main concerns voiced; first that many kendoka (kendo practitioners) performed waza (technique) at odds with Koryu(older)traditions, (ie. A higher stance floating the hips and having a raised rear ankle) and second that over time Jodo would lose its identity within the larger political framework.

Yui Syosetsu’s name appears on a makimono (scroll) for the Isshin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu (sickle & chain art) incorporated into the Shindo Muso Ryu (SMRJ) as the 5^th Menkyo (master license) holder.

However, it is his successor Isshin Tano for whom the art is named.  The Tokugawa purged Yui Syoetsu's name from history. Indeed his tragic story follows along the same lines as the story of the 47 Ronin - Akoroshi.

Throughout the early Edo (Tokugawa government, modern Tokyo) period (1603-1650) Yui Syosetsu’s name was notorious for his coup against the existing Tokugawa Bakufu (military government). He would’ve been considered by the regime as number one on the top ten most wanted criminals of the day by today’s standards. 

To Musashi.  Jodo's history is inextricably linked to this famous 16th century kenshi(sword saint). 

Maybe not a saint by western standards :It is widely accepted by those of us who study Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo that the founder, Muso Gunnosuke dueled with Musashitwice. After being defeated while using a bo (long staff), Musoretired to a cave on Mt. Homan to meditate upon his defeat and how to better his art.  Upon reducing the size of a bo to that of a jo and developing waza (techniques) that controlled seigetsu (solar plexus) it is said that another duel between Musashiand Muso occurred in the castle town of Himeji, where the jo broke the famous two sword block known as "Jujidome".     

The cave used and kept today as a shrine for Muso was used by many wandering warriors practicing shyugyo (austerity rites). They would live in seclusion to train and meditation and forge their spirits. 

Many of us that study martial traditions are cultural victims today of the propaganda efforts to instill the 

“Code of Bushido” as Nitobe’s work “Hagakure” was managed by the Japanese militarist machine before the advent of World War II.

So what was Bushi (warrior) life really like during the middle and late Edo (Tokyo) or Tokugawa (Clan name) period of Japanese history?[1]

It is in vogue to look back on what is known of Musashi’s life and ask why he did not duel some of his more renowned contemporaries, men whom were also great swordsmen of the day?

One response to this question that I’ve heard paints Musashi as a braggart that inflated his reputation and allowed his followers to amplify his exploits as a marketing devise. Certainly he had followers who were zealous protectors of his reputation that would do anything to perpetuate their teacher.[1] There is no known written evidence however that can confirm nor deny that Musashi himself planned or endorsed this kind of behavior on the part of his students. 

By Donn Draeger

Strength and Health Magazine

March 1962 

 Takaji Shimizu “world’s outstanding Exponent and teacher of Bojutsu

Summarized by Rick: