Miyamoto Usagis name sounds an awful lot like Miyamoto Musashi. Was Miyamoto Musashi a real person, and how does he relate to Usagi?
(UY Vol 3, #35) My creation, Usagi Yojimbo, was inspired by the life of Miyamoto Musashi, who was himself molded from a country ruffian into arguably the greatest warrior in Japanese history by a priest named Takuan (1573-1645). The priest is also noted for a method of seasoning turnips which is called takuanzuke. (UY Vol 1, #21) Miyamoto Musashi heavily influenced Miyamoto Usagi. Musashi was born around 1584 and began his samurai career at the age of 13. His father was a country samurai rather than a court samurai. Musashi fought in the battle of Sekigahara which was a turning point in Japanese history (he was on the losing side). He perfected the two-sword style of fighting but was also an artist, philosopher, and the author of A Book of Five Rings. He was a wanderer but died in the service of Lord Hosokawa in 1645 and is buried on the island of Kyushu. He was in more than sixty duels over his lifetime, the most famous of which was with Sasaki Kojiro on Ganryu Island in which Musashi
Related Questions
- Miyamoto Usagis name sounds an awful lot like Miyamoto Musashi. Was Miyamoto Musashi a real person, and how does he relate to Usagi?
- Has Usagi met his worlds version of Sasaki Kojiro, one of Miyamoto Musashis most skilled rivals?
- This sounds like a recipe for a popularity contest. How can the best person for the job win?
