Reading “Miyamoto Musashi, His Life and Writings” by Kenji Tokitsu and I am impressed with the depth the author went to in writing this account on Musashi’s life. More than any other author I’ve read. One point I find extremely interesting in the fight between Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro, which is his most famous encounter, is the lengths of each combatant’s sword. In this book Tokitsu states his assumption that the swords are the same length. I’m not so sure. Sasaki’s sword was named the “Clothes Drying Pole” because it was so long. In two accounts translated by the author, the length was stated as 90 centimeters (about 3 feet in our measurement system). Musashi carved his bokken in the boat as it made its way to the island for the duel. He cut an oar into a useable bokken. This bokken was said to be 128 centimeters in length in one translation. Now that would put Musashi’s sword one full linear foot (38 cm) longer than Sasaki’s! Is it any wonder Musashi won when both men attacked with hitotsu (simultaneous overhead downward strike to the forehead)? This technique requires skill and courage because with swords of the same length, one sword must deflect the other sword as it is coming at your head then striking your opponent in the head to win. A thin steel blade against a thick oar would give an obvious advantage to the oar in the deflection. But the advantage in length would obviously insure success. Musashi struck Sasaki in the head. Sasaki died on the spot. Is it any wonder Musashi walked away unscathed? What an excellent strategist. Fascinating stuff!
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 04:55:00 +0000
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