Musashi Miyamoto

Musashi Miyamoto is widely considered to be one of Japan's greatest swordsmen. He is famous for his duels and for authoring The Book of Five Rings, in which he details the principles and practices for his self-taught dual sword wielding style. After his death, many conflicting accounts of his life were made and romanticized into modern fiction.

Before his playable Samurai Warriors appearance, his name is one of the default names for bodyguards. Scrolls named after the principles mentioned in his book also appear in the series's first game. Fans voted him in fifty-fourth place for the Samurai Warriors 4 poll.

Role in Games
"Those swords - they're all just a blur to me!"
 * Zhang Fei; Warriors Orochi

Samurai Warriors
Musashi is a man of common origin. After he defeated a man who declared himself as the strongest swordsmaster in the land, Musashi decided to hone his swords skills by traveling. Wanting to better improve himself, he joined the Western army at Sekigahara. However, he learns he joined a losing cause and cuts an escape route for himself after Mitsunari's retreat. As he fights through the bloodshed, he begins to wonder what it is that he's truly fighting for. After he rescues a village from bandits, Musashi wonders if there is pacifistic solution for his new life with the sword. While at Kyoto, Hideyori and Kiyomasa ask for his aid to save them from Ieyasu's army. Yukimura, a general who he met at Kyoto, later requests his aid at Osaka Castle.

During the battle, Musashi sees that Yukimura is saddened by the fact that the latter's former friend Kanetsugu is on the Tokugawa side. Convincing Yukimura to fight Kanetsugu, Musashi helps reclaim the Sanada Ward from Kanetsugu and slays Ieyasu, gaining a reputation as a famed killer. Wanting to protect his comrades with this sword, he assists the final siege against Hidetada at Edo Castle. They find that the castle is defended by Kagekatsu's army, a despondent Kanetsugu -who is intent on dying together with Yukimura- and Masamune's forces. Musashi and Yukimura defeat Kanetsugu, with the latter apologizing to Yukimura in his dying breath. Hidetada dies during the conflict, signaling a presumable new time of peace under Hideyori. When Kotarō tries to disrupt Hideyori's plans to escape, Musashi duels him. In his ending, Kotarō questions what the swordsman plans to do with his murderous craft during peace. Musashi answers that his swords will someday find a way to protect people.

His swordsmanship at Sekigahara also impresses Kojirō, who is more than willing to challenge someone with skill. Kojirō continues to seemingly stalk Musashi's travels as both swordsmen are hired by generals on opposing sides. Since he is angered by Kojirō's insistence to kill him, they face one another in a private duel. Musashi is the final victor and Kojirō is slain before the Osaka Campaign.

In his dream stage, he wants to prove himself as the strongest warrior of the age. While Tadakatsu and Sakon are in the midst of a mock battle, Musashi barges in to show off his skills. Nene appears as the self-proclaimed strongest woman in the land. If Musashi does well during the battle, Kojiro will be obliged to duel him.

Musashi's lone appearance in Samurai Warriors 4's Story Mode is at Ishigakibaru in the Chugoku chapter. He joins Kanbei's troops to pacify revolts within Kyushu during Sekigahara. He also appears in the ranks of the eastern army of the Kyushu chapter's equivalent, Yanagawa. Before the battle, the swordsman refers to Kanbei's retirement and is confused by the strategist's scowling reply. In this game's Chronicle Mode, the player character can choose to either assist or defeat Musashi at Ganryujima or face him in a competition against swordsmen.

During his personal events, the player character is taught by the wandering Musashi. They are suddenly attacked one night by Morinagakuni Kawachi. Musashi easily deflects the blow and learns that the assailant is an enthusiastic swords smith; he wished to test his treasured blades against the renowned swordsman. When he sees the player character wishes to train, Musashi roughly instructs him/her to read their opponent's behavior and use any openings to strike from different angles for an effective attack. He demonstrates his lecture by slightly adjusting the direction of his blades to split a boulder in twain.

The duo later happen to spot Munenori Yagyū instructing his students by practicing choreography. Musashi scoffs that their methods are impractical and meaningless in a real fight. The player character explains that it makes the sword techniques easier to learn, stating that it is a blade meant to protect a person's lifestyle. Musashi can be offended by his/her opinion and challenge Munenori to prove himself in a duel. Alternatively, his/her mentor will try to state that practicing art is the way to live peacefully. Either option ends with Musashi failing to convey his thoughts properly. Musashi later demonstrates how to unleash one's killing intent and scares the mountain wildlife nearby. The player character can either be amazed or scold him to stop. The latter option has him fondly remember his parents. His mother would patronize him and his father was always strict in training him.

Warriors Orochi
He appears in one of Shu's Gaiden stages in Warriors Orochi and leads a group of swordsmen to overthrow Mitsunari. If the player helps Musashi successfully release the floodgates with his forces intact to reach Mitsunari, he will agree to join the resistance. In another gaiden stage, he will be recruited by Goemon to halt the player's pursuit of the thief.

In the sequel, he trains with Xu Huang to hone their respective arts. Ambushed by Orochi's troops, they agree to work together to capture the fleeing Da Ji and Himiko. During their chase, Musashi is also reacquainted with Kojiro. The two warriors report their findings to Sakon. In his dream stage, he teams up with Tadakatsu and Zhang Fei to rescue Ieyasu. Musashi personally decides to keep every enemy officer away from the ally main camp.

Musashi left on a journey to improve his swordsmanship in Warriors Orochi 3. In the original timeline, he tested his mettle during the failed defense at Odawara Castle. As he attacked Da Ji's troops to the north, Musashi was killed by an endless swarm of serpent army reinforcements. The swordsman continues to perish as the coalition return to the past to save Kai and company.

To prevent his death, Kai and her party travel back in time to cut off the reinforcements responsible for his original demise at Dongkou and bring the reinforcements that didn't make it in time, Munenori Yagyu and Shigekata Togo. They then return to the changed future to save Musashi at Odawara Castle. Thankful for the aid, he offers his sword to the coalition thereafter.

Musashi stars in one of the downloadable scenarios, "Duelling Heroes", where he and Nemea clear out the enemies at Nanzhong so they can have their own duel. Ultimate additionally has him volunteer alongside Xiahou Dun and Yoshitsune Minamoto to rescue the resistance army officers isolated by Sun Wukong at Komaki-Nagakute. During the war against Tamamo, he is misled into attacking the Coalition at Yan Province.

Kessen
Musashi can be recruited for Nobunaga's army in Kessen III. He will join Nobunaga after he is beaten in a Rampage at Kizugawaguchi. He has a strong sword proficiency and leads one of the strongest sword units in the game. If he fights against Muneyoshi Yagyū, he will share a special quote with him as rivals. He will not have a good relationship with Muneyoshi if they are put in the same unit, lowering their attack.

Development
When developers were planning to add the strongest sword wielding character, Musashi became the obvious choice for the position. The designer wanted his design to scream Musashi and made a wild image to reflect known historical accounts of his appearance. They wanted to show his confidence by writing "The Land's Greatest/Unmatched Under Heaven" (天下無双, Tenka Musō ) on the back of his coat. The director adds that Musashi was also one of the most requested characters for the first game, but he guesses that this was mainly due to the popularity of the taiga drama (titled Musashi) that showed the year before. Even though he is basically a bonus character for fans, he also wants players to max him out and use him to truly experience Chaos difficulty.

Personality
Musashi is an idealistic and rambunctious youth. He believes his swords can save and protect people, striving to prove his worth as the land's greatest swordsman. While he is confident in his blade, he is inexperienced with society and initially acts callous towards others. He doubts himself when he first sees the world but becomes more proud of his skills as time passes. He eventually believes in friendship during his time with the Toyotomi.

He doesn't think very highly of Kojirō's ruthlessness and despises his rival's persistence. In the Warriors Orochi series, he offers special praise to Xu Huang, Xu Zhu, Zhang Jiao, and Zhou Tai.

Character Symbolism
For his Samurai Warriors counterpart, he is symbolized by the characters for "cut" (斬) and "ultimate" (極).

Musashi's titles in Samurai Warriors 2 are "Untamed Frenzy", "Dual Swordsman", "Deadly Artist", "Great Teacher", "Unrivaled Master", "Living Legend", and "Hero of History" (in the Xtreme Legends expansion).

His second set of swords are named after the four character idiom, Munen Musō  (無念無想, lit. "No Thoughts, No Desires"). It has one of two meanings, one of which is tied to a Buddhist concept. The phrase describes a departure from one's desires and self to enter a state of nothingness. A modern interpretation means to be free from all thoughts and to not think. Within kōbuto -teachings and philosophies for various martial arts- "mu" or "void" is a desirable state of mind for practitioners that takes years for even masters to perfect. A kendō idiom compares the state of nothingness to the reflection of a moon in Hirosawa Pond. Just as how the moon and unmoving water are perfectly synchronized to reflect one another, a disciple is encouraged to envision their thoughts to be like a clear mirror or still water. Doing so will allow them to perfectly see their opponent's openings and allow them to act naturally.

Musashi's third set of swords are named after the heaven and earth. They are joined by one of Musashi's taught sword-styles, Musashi Enmei-ryu. According to legend, he taught this particular art within the Tottori Domain. Enmei-ryu was known as a dual sword wielding practice supposedly taught since the Heian Period; Yoshitsune has been fabled to have been taught this particular style of swordplay. Musashi supposedly improved the archaic teachings to create a unique style, which could also be effectively used by short swords. His style is considered unique and different than Enmei-ryuu or his famed philosophies for Niten Ichi described in Book of Five Rings. Other minor incarnations of Musashi tend to use "rings" (輪) as another theme/motif for him.

Each of his swords for his fourth set are named after an individual deity in Japanese mythology. One is named after Iwasaku, one of the deities born from Kagutsuchi's death. He was born when Kagustuchi's blood dripped down from Izanagi's blade onto stone. His name means to embody a sword that has the power to rip out the very roots of the earth. Born right after Iwasaku was Iwatsutsuno'o, who forms the namesake for the other sword. Iwatsutsuno'o's name has been broken down to mean "stone hammer" and has thought to be a hammer that forges swords to match Iwasaku's name. The deities are considered sword gods affiliated with an earth element.

The longer sword of the pair also resembles an Eku (a weapon that resembles a wooden oar) or a wooden paddle of some sort, which is a possible nod to his fight with Kojirō  in which he used a wooden sword he carved from an oar on his way to the duel, and by that proxy also resembles a suburitō (a type of bokken where the handle is smaller than the blade). It is often shown as a symbol for Musashi's mastery of the sword in comparison to many others, due to how famed his duel with Kojirō  was. The bladed weapon out of the pair also resembles a jitte (lit. "Ten Hands"; a policeman's sword with a hook on the hand-guard), nodding to Musashi's father Munisai who was said to be a jitte master.

Like his fourth, Musashi's fifth set of swords are named after two sword gods, Mikahahiya and Hinohayahi. They share the same origins as Iwasaku and Iwatsutsunoo, but they instead represent destructive flames. Mikahahiya and Hinohayahi are also said to be gods who ensure the quality and strengths of finished swords.

Voice Actors

 * Arron Wood - Samurai Warriors 2 (English)
 * Sam Riegel - Warriors Orochi series (English-uncredited)
 * Hidehiko Kaneko - Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi series (Japanese)

Live Action Performer

 * Satoshi Tsuruoka - as Miyaamoto Musashi in Butai Nobunyaga no Yabou

Quotes

 * See also: Musashi Miyamoto/Quotes


 * "The way of the sword, I will perfect it!"
 * "A new age is coming. For Japan, and me."
 * "If all you can do with them is hurt others, you don't deserve your swords."
 * "The sword is not a tool of death! You hear me?!"
 * "Hey, I'm pretty good with this acting stuff. Maybe I should meet up with that Okuni girl."
 * "No matter how strong your sword, you cannot split a shadow."
 * "Yeah? Well I don't see any shadows here. Just a skinny little man in a silly outfit."
 * Hanzō and Musashi; Samurai Warriors 2


 * "Tadakatsu Honda... They say you're the best man 'round these parts. But I like a challenge! Here goes!"
 * "Very good. Come and fight me! Your youthful energy against my refined skill. And may the best man win."
 * Musashi and Tadakatsu; Samurai Warriors 2: Empires


 * "Rough around the edges yet, but there's no mistaking the talent you have."
 * "Wow, old man. Are you really praising me?"
 * "But I still sense doubt in your strikes."
 * "No, no way! I'm the best in the world!"
 * "Ah, so much strength but so little focus this boy. You've got a lot to learn. What do you want beyond obtaining power?"
 * Nobutsuna Kamiizumi and Musashi; 100man-nin no Sengoku Musou


 * "You're all sweat and bluster. Out of my way!"
 * "Bluster, maybe, but I ain't sweating a drop yet!"
 * Xing Cai and Musashi; Warriors Orochi


 * "If you've come to start something with Wu, then I'll be the one to start with!"
 * "Hey, I'm no street scrapper. I'm a martial artist."
 * Gan Ning and Musashi; Warriors Orochi 2


 * "About that wager we had, it is time I concede defeat."
 * "I have no need for your charity! I will grasp this secret completely so you can understand!"
 * "Then I will look forward to it, so do not disappoint me, boy..."
 * Achilles and Musashi; Warriors Orochi 3

Ground Moveset

 * undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Takes a leap and does a dual inward chopping slash upon landing, then followed by a high upward punting kick, then turning (to the right) roundhouse downward slashes which ends in a dramatic pose.
 * , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Slashes his foe up, then jumps up to them. From there, he rapidly stabs his foe with both swords shooting out small darts, then grabs the foe by stabbing in both swords to prong them and punts them away to the ground.
 * ,, undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Stab with his katana, rushing sideways slash with both blades, inward dual slash done from an advancing leap, then followed by an outward dual slash finisher that creates small ripples around Musashi.
 * ,, , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Rapid advancing inward slashes, followed by a dramatic outward dual slash (starting with both blades pointing to his right just before said slash). Can tap undefined for more advancing slashes each time, or can be dropped to have Musashi instantly do the finisher.
 * ,, , , undefined, (undefined): (Xtreme Legends only) Powerful forward stepping cut to the left with both blades. Knocks back foes who are hit.
 * ,, , , , , , : An inward slash with katana, inward slash with wakizashi (both with a step forward), then an outward turning slash with katana; then does four interchanging inward diagonally upward advancing slashes ending with a turning outward dual-slash.
 * Repeatedly slashes inwards from a stationary position, then back poses with his blades. In his level 3 version, ripples will spin rapidly around him.


 * , : Dual outward slash aimed downward.
 * , undefined: Plants both swords on the ground, and the quake is able to hit targets lying on the ground.
 * Dashing : Rapidly slashes inward while running, then finishes with a turning slash into a brake.


 * R1 + : Temporarily takes a special stance for a counter attack, where he motions his swords in a slow-outward-spiral-motion once both at the same time. If timed right, Musashi then counters by rushing through his target(s) in a triangular formation.
 * R1 + undefined: Takes a pose gesturing with his right-handed sword and stomping the ground, and causes an aura burst that causes the musou gauge to fill partially. Also breaks guards.
 * Personal Skill : (Reversal) Counter enemy attacks with the charge button. Performs the ending for his C4 to slash away opponents.

Horse Moveset

 * , undefined:
 * ,, undefined:
 * ,, , undefined:

Same attacks excluding his C5 and Level 3 Musou. He gains new R1 abilities:
 * Warriors Orochi
 * R1: Blurts out "Who's the best?" (English script) in an excited pump-up motion and engulfs himself in an aura that powers himself and his teammates up with a buff for a short time.
 * R1 (Counter): A quick outwards-dual slash leaning forward that knocks back enemies.


 * Warriors Orochi 2
 * Triple Attack 1: Swings both weapons to unleash a wide gust of wind.
 * Triple Attack 2: Creates a tremor by slamming both weapons while stomping with his left foot to the earth.
 * Triple Attack 3: Generates a strong air gust via slashing motion.


 * Warriors Orochi 3
 * R1: Slam-slashes down his left-handed sword for a very brief tornado to blast foes upward, then leaps up in a very quick flash. Once in mid-air, Musashi fires down a powerful cutting wave to the ground via left-sided swing with both swords.
 * , R1 (Ultimate only): Sends down a powerful large cutting wave with a double-spinning slash to the left with both swords.

Samurai Warriors 4
Mighty strike is the same as Deadlock attack. Moveset remains the same with the following changes.


 * , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Stays aerial for more stabs before slicing with a wave of crashing energy, and the stabs now produce even more multi-stab effects.
 * ,, undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Same as before, only the final blow now produces a small slashing-wave forward and cross-lines made from the trails of his swords.
 * ,, , , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Upward slash with both swords to his left to launch targets into the air. Vertically jumps to slash at his target in a spiraling slash to his right (Musashi also twirls both his swords during this motion). The final input has Musashi plummeting his targets with a downwards slash to his left with both blades, which sends down a large cutting wave.
 * Finisher changes to him slicing a cross-cut energy wave done in a brush-ink and tidal wave motif before slicing another with an inward slash from his wakizashi to send it forward.
 * (Ultimate/Kaidan): Readies himself and leaps up into the air. From there he does a rapid series of inward slamming slashes to the ground which causes brush-ink and tidal wave splashes (he does five in a row interchangeably starting with his katana), then delays for a powerful dual outward slash to the ground for a cross wave with the same special effects in the form of a cross geyser.
 * Rage Attack/Musou Gokui effect: Activates Ultimate/Kaidan Musou if is used. Performs ending pose for previous  if the effect ends without activating Ultimate/Kaidan Musou.
 * Awakened Skill effect (4-II only):

Hyper Moveset

 * undefined: Slides forward quickly as he slashes with his swords interchangeably. The first input always starts with a slash to his left with katana and an ending pose with both swords to his right, then the next inputs always have him perform interchanging inward cuts; his katana diagonally-upwards and wakizashi diagonally-downwards.
 * undefined, : Does two quick successive slashes after a delay, first to the left then right with both swords.
 * undefined, undefined, :
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, : Same as his Hyper C2.
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, : Leaps up and stabs both swords in reverse grip into the ground in a stomping pose (much like his jumping charge) for a clearing quake.
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, : Leaps up high into the air and slashes down two cutting waves interchangeably, first from his wakizashi then katana, both inward slashes at a diagonal angle. The leap itself also has a launching hitbox.
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined:

Fighting Style
Musashi's fighting style in the game is a slightly more theatrical version of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-Ryū (兵法二天一流, lit. "Tactical Two Heavens as One-Style") twin-sword style he invented, with only a very minor number of moves not playing as fully accurate to the source material used. Much of his attacks involve rather elegant sword swinging motions with controlled focus and simplicity in their form, as well as standard basic dual-sword slashes.

In terms of gameplay, although Musashi's weapons and fighting style offers a more limited range than spear weapons and no projectiles for long range use, his twin swords are excellent for both one-on-one duels and for keeping back large crowds. His Musou attack has him stand in place and essentially turns him into a living food processor, shredding apart anyone too slow to get out of the way. His moveset is generally regarded one of the best in the game, often said to be developed solely for being pitted against the highest difficulty settings possible.

However, the weakness of having short range can hinder his initial usage where he may not have enough stats built up just yet, so some foes such as archers can be a problem at times for Musashi, or any long-ranged situations due to his initial attacks often lacking in reach. His Musou attack is also lacking in range as well, so range powerups are needed when Musashi is raising stats, especially in Warriors Orochi.

As Musashi hasn't received much of a buff or some form of alter, in later games, his once god-like moveset seems nerfed as it now cannot crowd clear as good as it used to be, although most of this is remedied in SW4 where his Hyper Attacks are one of the fastest in the game, and he gains solid ranged finishers on both his Musou attacks.

Weapons

 * See also: Musashi Miyamoto/Weapons

Rare Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Conquest of Kyūshū (Story of Wise Men - Free Mode)

Gallery
__NOWYSIWYG__