Miyamoto Musashi (Proper History)

Identity

His full name is Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu. Musashi is a swordsman from the early Edo period, renowned as the strongest swordsman in the history of Japan. He founded the a school of swordsmanship known as Niten Ichi-ryū, famous for involving the dual wielding of a Katana and Wakizashi. He has been connected to many great battles between skilled swordsmen, many of which are shrouded in mystery and suspicion. However, he decided to take his swordsmanship further beyond his limits, all in order to become the greatest swordsman in history.

History

In the proper history, Musashi was born in Oohara, Sakushu (modern day Mimasaka, in the Okayama Prefecture), at 1584. His father was a practitioner of martial arts named Shinmen Munisai, who served as an instructor of martial arts to the Shinmen House of lords of the Takayama Castle, and who received the name of Shinmen from his employer’s family. Shinmen Munisai built a dojo of Jutte techniques in the Miyamoto village of the Yoshino district, and Musashi would later call himself “Miyamoto” due having this land as his hometown.     Now let us recount the many "duels" of the legendary swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi.    Yoshioka Seijuro, his first. This duel was fought with bokken (wooden sword) and like many instances of one-on-one combat at the time, was not meant to be to the death. Both warriors agreed beforehand that the winner would be declared by a single blow which was promptly administered by Musashi, who broke Seijuro’s arm in the process. After the battle, Seijuro retired from his position as head of the Yoshioka Ryu and became a Zen monk.    Denshichiro Yoshioka, his second. As the brother of Seijuro, Denshichiro became the head of the family and soon challenged Musashi in order to regain honor for his family name. This time the duel would be to the death and as was his custom, Musashi turned up late in order to get his opponent angry, a tactic that worked well on both the Yoshioka brothers. Fighting again with a bokken, Musashi won the fight easily, killing his opponent instantly with a head blow and leaving the reputation of the Yoshioka Ryu in ruins. The new head of the Yoshioka Clan was a 12 year old named Matashichiro, who also challenged Musashi. At the time of the fight, Musashi sensed suspicion, and dodged the fight. Sure enough, when the boy arrived he had a retinue of men armed with swords, bows and rifles who all found a hiding place intending to ambush Musashi while Matashichiro acted as bait. When the time was right, Musashi charged the young warrior and cut his head clean off. Surrounded by the boy’s retinue, he then drew his second sword and cut himself a path through the men trying to kill him before escaping into nearby rice fields. And this fight would come to be known as one of his first shows of dual-wielding.    His fourth, Sasaki Kojiro, is famously known. If it could be called a fight, that is. Musashi arrived late to the fight, ambushing his foe, and ending him with underhanded tactics. The battle was legendary. It would have him referred to as a strategist by some, a hack by others. But no one can say they didn't see it coming, because Musashi is Musashi after all.    He left behind many anecdotes and went through numerous battles against martial artists upon reaching adulthood - especially during the ten years of his 20s. Those famous bouts are even now seen as a staple of the entertainment industry. However, the truth behind the episodes of these ten years of battle is mostly wrapped in mystery and there are strong suspicions about them being mere fiction.

Appearance

Musashi takes up a loosely fitting hakama, wearing a kimono that flails behind him. He holds the katanas of the Yoshioka brothers on his back, alongside his wakizashi and the sword of Sasaki Kojiro. He carries his own swords on his sides, ready to draw. Why he tied his hair up in the back...practicality? No, a fashionable decision.

Six Realms Five Rings - The Divine Figure of Kurikara

Musashi's main Noble Phantasm is Six Realms Five Rings - The Divine Figure of Kurikara (usually known as Ishana Daitenshou). With it, Musashi overpowers his opponent with his swords’ energy damaging their spirit. A final blow performed with all his might. It can be considered an embodiment of the sword of “Zero," which has been mastered by the older version of Musashi.     The air shatters around him. He draws his two swords, takes his famous, unbreakable stance, and...     Lesser Celestial Thrust... then after overpowering the opponent with his swords' energy to damage their spirit; Greater Celestial Phenomenon... Musashi lets out his final blow with all his might.     A Niou appears before him, as if an image was created by his sword. The pressure of his blow rattles throughout their soul. It is as if he has mastered the embodiment of the sword of "Zero." One can say that he has mastered the concept of the "Void."     As though their existence has been shattered, scattered among the shards of many of his fallen enemies and challengers. As if they've reached the final outcome of their fight, not only in their life, but in their countless lifetimes.     No one can withstand the final strike.     No one WILL withstand the final strike. 

Oar Wooden Sword

Oar Wooden Sword is a Noble Phantasm possessed by Miyamoto Musashi. It is the wooden sword (used by this hack) used in the battle against Sasaki Kojiro, which was indeed legendary.  Some sources about the battle state Musashi used a dual-wielding style with two wooden swords, one measuring 95 cm and the other measuring 106 cm. Other sources say it was a single sword measuring over two meters in length, which surpasses the length of Sasaki's Monohoshi Zao. There is a theory that the wooden sword was not chosen as a clever scheme to defeat Kojirou, or an attempt to overcome the length of Monohoshi Zao, but rather that he was already proficient with it and was just using a weapon with which he was familiar to ensure victory.