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In all probability, its Kokura, in Kyushu, where Musashi lies, and not in Mimasaka. There are in fact 3 places in Japan that claim to have his remains. The biggest question mark in the area is Musashi’s grave. This has been ongoing since Yoshikawa Eiji spurred him into the popular light and I assumed has increased since the popular NHK year-long dram called “Musashi” was aired in 2003. This hasn’t stopped the town developing Musashi related businesses as they capitlise on his popularity. Where exactly he was born and spent his childhood is assumed to be Mimasaka town, but in reality there is scant evidence to prove it. In the Go-rin-no-sho Musashi wrote* that he was born in a part of what is now Okayama prefecture. It also has a budo-jo and various offices inside.
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Its main area can hold up to 6 full size kendo shiai-jo’s, and has a seating capacity of 838. It is designed to look like the tsuba he used on his sword (Namakosukashi tsuba).

I didn’t see any izakaya or beer vending machines in the area however.īuilt in 2000, this “Musashi Budokan” was built to honour Miyamoto Musashi. There is also at least a couple of public baths/onsen in the vicinity which you can use. Next to it is a larger, more modern building where you can stay too. What is great is that the dojo is not only hireable, but its dirt cheap: 700 yen/day!! If you want to stay overnight in the dojo, then its an extra 100 yen/person.īehind the dojo there is a small “resort.” This is a small ryokan-type place where you can spend the night and eat. I’m not sure about other groups use of the space. It seems to be used mainly for Karate practise, with some niten-ichi-ryu group using it from time to time. On the walls are some pictures but apart from that, there is really nothing to see. Its a very nicely designed dojo, that you can enter and walk around in (when not in use). Its also 500 yen to enter, which I think is a bit pricey. There are also a number of his paintings on view (not sure if they are the originals, but I doubt it).Ī small place with no English information at all, I’m not sure its worth checking out unless you are a hardcore Musashi fan.
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The archive is a very small (one room!) museum with various artefacts related to Musashi or to the period he lived in. Where the house was said to have been is long gone, and the current house on the property is private, so you cannot enter. Miyamoto Musashi seika ato (The remains of Musashi’s parents home) It was quiet and peaceful when I went there. Next to Musashi-jinja (Musashi Temple) there is whats supposed to be the graves of Musashi and his parents. Flags saying “Musashi no sato” in Japanese will guide you there from the station. Apart from the Musashi-budokan (easily identifiable in the town as it sticks out like a sore thumb), all the Musashi related places are grouped together in a single area about 10mins walk from the station. I took some time out to wander around the sites and ponder about the man, probably the first time I had done so in years.
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Its only been relatively recently that series research on him has been started, the conclusions of which seem far from concrete.Ī few weeks ago I joined a 2-day gasshuku held in Okayama prefecture at Mimasaka, the supposed birthplace of the legend.

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TV dramas, films, manga, anime, etc etc the popular “Miyamoto Musashi” of today is almost certainly a work of fiction rather than of reality. Since his introduction to the Japanese public via Yoshikawa Eiji’s bestselling book (originally serialised in the Asahi Shinbun in the 1930s), truth-legend-fiction have all become wound into one. The reality of Musashi’s life is clouded in mystery. From there Musashi embarked on his study of swordsmanship, with a narrative well known to all students of the Japanese sword arts: Kyoto and duels with the Yoshioka clan, Ganryu-jima and his famous fight with Sasaki Kojiro, and finally to a cave in Kumamoto called Reigando where he wrote his treatise on swordsmanship, the Gorin-no-sho.

It is here, around 1584, that the Miyamoto Musashi was said to have been born. Nestled in the hills in the north of Okayama prefecture close to the border with Tottori prefecture is the small town of Mimasaka.
