In 1584 Miyamoto Musashi borns with the name Bennosuke Takezô. His mother dies when he born. His father, Munisai (Samurai in charge of the security of the castle of Miyamoto mura) gets married again. Takezô had a bigger sister. In 1586 Munisai got divorced from his second wife and she gets married with another man (Tazumi Masashiza), Takezô went with her.
In 1589, Honiden commits seppuku in Munisai's house. In 1590 Munisai dies at the age of 53 in Miyamoto mura. (Here is an obscure information. Munisai was expelled from Miyamoto mura so, probably his bones and ashes and was buried at Miyamoto mura)
Between 1591 and 1595 Takezô is under the guidance of his uncle Tôrimbo, monk and like his father, clever and a good warrior. From his uncle Tòrimbo practiced a lot of everything (ken jutsu, ju jutsu, …) becoming very capable. He was 1'80 meters tall, very high for his age.
In 1596, at the age of 13, he wins a samurai called Arima Kihei in a duel to death.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi travels to the Osaka castle in 1598. The great battle of Sekigahara approaches.
In 1599 Ieyasu Tokugawa loses the castle of Fushimi.
In 1600, Sept the 15th, at the Sekigahara battle, Ieyasu wins Toyotomi's troops. Takezô, 17 year old was a membe of Toyotom's troops. He returns to Miyamoto mura but pursued by the Ieyasu's troops flees to Kyûshû. Between 1601 and 1602 lives and trains at the mountain of Hikoyama.
In 1603 begins the Edo period. Ieyasu becomes shogun in February and goes to what today is known as Tokyo.
In 1604 Takezô battles the Yoshioka school of Kyoto. First with Yoshioka Seijûrô (the small brother) and then with Denshirô, who loses fast. In that period he also fights at the Hôzôin of Nara with a monk called Sou.
He received the name of Musashi (Written with the same kanjis ok Takezô) to avoid being captured by the Ieyasu's agents. He developed a fight style with bokken called Enmei ryû tenkai ichi, later it Hill be the Itto no kata of Niten Ichi ryû.
In 1605 is the first time he uses both swords in a duel with Shishiro Baiken (a ninja of Iga). Also wins a Bojutsu master in Edo called Musô Gonnosuke and another warrior called Ôseto Tsujikaze.
Later he will live temporarily in Shimouza working as a peasant.
Leaving Shimouza enters in a zen temple to practice mind and spirit. (heart)
In 1616 dies the creator of the Yagyû Shinkage ryû, the master Ygyû Sesshûsai, the 19th of April, at the age of 80 years.
In 1611 builds a house at Chiba-ken Gyôto-ku Fijiwara and do as a peasant. Study Buddhism and makes a small statue of Tokuganji Kannon of wood. Also he wents to a temple of Kyoto (Sanjusangendo?)
In 1612, with 29 years, wins Sasaki Kojiro at the island of Kokura Funashima.
In 1613, with 30 years, goes to live at the mountain of Kôya-san and after meditate, decides not to accept more duels.
In 1614 participates in the battle of Osaka, helping the Tokugawa side.
Between 1615 and 1639 a lot of things happens:
- Adopted a child as a son (Zoushunsuke, 14-15 years old), later dies.
- Wins a combat with Miyako Gumbê. He wouldn't do more duels, but his renown was so great that a lot of samurais wanted to win him in duel to become famous.
- Lived near the Himeji castle.
- Finds Iori and adopts as his son.
- In Owari meets the foums Yagyû Hyôgo.
- Living in Owari teaches Enmei ryû. One of his students was Matsudira Izumo no kami.
- With 39 years old he could have traveled to Hirado and China some times.
- In 1623 finds Iori (12-13 years)
- From 1624 to 1630 studied and practiced Shodô, Sadô, zen, poetry and mades a lot of paintings and statues.
- In 1631 goes to live to Kyûshû.
- In 1634 lives at Ogasawara Tadamasa's house in Kokura, with Iori. There, Aoki Joemon is one of his students.
- In 1637 Miyamoto Iori, 26 years old, goes to the battle of Shimabara with the rank of a chief.
In 1640 Musashi goes to Kumamoto, lives at Chiba-jô (Chiba castle) to teach to Husokawa Tadatoshi.
In February of 1641 writes in paper for the first time the 35 katas created by him. Gaves that document to Tadatoshi. Meets the monk Shunzan.
17th of February of 1641 Tadatoshi dies, then Musashi's life changes. Teaches more budô and practice zen, sadô and shodô. Paints more paintings than even before.
In 1643 he intuits he is going to die, he enters at the cave Rei gen and only practices zen and writes the book Go rin no sho (Book of five rings).
12th of May of 1645 finishes the book. The same day gives all his belongings to his students and relatives. He dies the 19th of May of 1645.
Xavi Vila (Barcelona, Spain)