Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) was one of Japan’s most accomplished martial artists and most renowned swordsman. He founded a school called Hyohō Niten Ichi-ryū (兵法 二天 一流), which can be loosely translated as “the school of the strategy of two heavens as one,” transmitting a style of classical Japanese swordsmanship. This koryū (ancient school) is mainly known for the two-sword—katana and wakizashi—kenjutsu techniques Musashi called Niten Ichi (二天一, “two heavens as one”) or Nitō Ichi (二刀一, “two swords as one”).
Famous for fighting over 60 duels with no losses, Musashi never became complacent. He traveled across Japan, seeking opponents of different styles to test and refine his skills. Even after developing his famous Niten Ichi-ryū (Two-Sword Style), he continued evolving his techniques rather than sticking to rigid doctrine.
Unlike many swordsmen who stuck to rigid kata (pre-arranged forms), Musashi fought with spontaneity and fluidity. He noticed that most samurai relied on pre-established patterns, so he intentionally disrupted them to win. His use of two swords (daisho 大小) was an innovation, showing his willingness to challenge tradition.
Musashi studied calligraphy, painting, Zen Buddhism, and strategy. He understood that martial arts were not just about killing, but about life itself. His writings emphasize timing, adaptability, and the importance of an open mind in all things.
Book of Five Rings
Musashi’s Book of Five Rings (五輪書, Go Rin No Sho) is a popular historical book on kenjutsu, martial arts, and philosophy. Written around the year 1645, the book’s core philosophy centers around turning a pursuit into a way of life and understanding that when we become competent in one discipline, the skill carries over into all others. In the book, he writes: “If you know the way broadly you will see it in everything.”
Split into five sections, each is dedicated to different physical elements described as Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and the Book of the Void. The Earth chapter serves to explain a different element of Musashi’s philosophy.
The Book of Earth: lays the foundation of Musashi’s philosophy and strategy. It’s a sort of introduction to the way of the warrior and the principles of the man’s strategy.
The Book of Water: describes Musashi’s specific martial techniques and principles of swordsmanship. It explains the importance of flexibility and adaptability, similar to water
The Book of Fire: goes over the heat of battle, covering the importance of aggression and initiative. It’s about understanding the dynamics of combat, gaining an advantage over one’s enemy, and seizing the moment.
The Book of Wind: critiques and analyzes the techniques and philosophies of other schools of swordsmanship. Here Musashi points out the danger of adhering too rigidly to a specific style.
The Book of Void: represents Musashi’s spiritual and philosophical ideas. It deals with the nature of true reality, stressing the importance of intuition and understanding the deeper aspects of life.
(The book is available online for free reading or download: https://archive.org/details/MiyamotoMusashi-BookOfFiveRingsgoRinNoSho/mode/2up. The Victor Harris translation is agreed to be mostly accurate. Another good translation: The Book of Five Rings, by Miyamoto Musashi. English translation by William Scott Wilson; modern Japanese translation by Matsumoto Michishiro. Kodansha International, 2001/2003. ISBN4-7700-2844-X. Shows the original Japanese along with English translation.)
Nine Principles
Musashi’s Nine Principles extend beyond just technical swordsmanship—they shape a warrior’s mindset. They encourage self-discipline, sharp intuition, and strategic thinking. For a serious student of the Japanese sword, these principles are a blueprint for mastering both combat and life. The sword is not just a weapon; it is a path of self-cultivation.
- Do not think dishonestly – Be honest in thought and action. Avoid self-deception and cultivate clarity of mind.
- The Way is in training – Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential to mastery.
- Become acquainted with every art – Develop knowledge and skills across various disciplines.
- Know the Way of all professions – Understand the broader world, not just your own craft.
- Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters – Learn to see what truly matters beyond material wealth.
- Develop an intuitive judgment and understanding for everything – Cultivate wisdom beyond surface-level knowledge.
- Perceive those things which cannot be seen – Develop foresight and a deeper understanding of life.
- Pay attention even to trifles – Small details can have great importance.
- Do nothing which is of no use – Focus on what is meaningful and discard distractions.
The Dokkōdō (独行道)
The Dokkōdō (独行道), meaning “The Way of Walking Alone,” is a short philosophical text written by Miyamoto Musashi in 1645, just days before his death. It contains 21 precepts (principles) that outline his personal code for living with clarity, discipline, detachment, and warrior simplicity. Written at Reigandō Cave (霊巌洞) where Musashi spent his final years meditating, it was passed to his disciple Terao Magonojō as a final teaching. Although it is often paired with Gorin no Sho (五輪書), it was written separately.
独 (doku) — alone, solitary
行 (kō/gyō) — to go, walk, act, practice
道 (dō) — way, path, guiding principle
独行道 = “The Path of Solitary Practice” / “The Way to Go Alone.”
The text is a philosophical will, not a swordsmanship manual, that focuses on mindset, self-discipline, and detachment, similar to Zen and Stoic principles. It represents Musashi’s matured thinking after Book of Five Rings (五輪書).
The 21 Precepts
- Accept things as they are.
- Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
- Avoid dependence.
- Think lightly of yourself, deeply of the world.
- Stay detached from desires.
- Do not regret actions.
- Do not be jealous.
- Do not grieve over separation.
- Resentment and complaint are beneath you.
- Do not let lust control you.
- Keep vitality without obsession with food.
- Avoid excess luxury.
- Do not cling to possessions.
- Avoid blind belief in the gods.
- Do not fear death.
- Do not keep unnecessary weapons or tools.
- Do not fear being without a home.
- Be indifferent to social status.
- Never stray from the Way.
- Do not engage in useless endeavors.
- Respect the gods, but do not rely on them.
These are not commandments—they’re Musashi’s personal code for clarity, independence, and warrior austerity.
