Miyamoto Musashi | The Way of the Ronin (Dokkodo)

Part 2: The Japanese word ‘rōnin’ describes a samurai without a master, who wanders alone. The status of a ronin varied across different time-periods. In a general sense, being a ronin implied failure. More specifically, a ronin had renounced the act of ‘seppuku’, which is a form of Japanese ritual suicide that was applied to restore honor after defeat. Those who refused seppuku became outcasts that endured a reputation of disgrace. Walking their own path, some ronin worked as mercenaries and bodyguards, and others became criminals. One of the most legendary ronin is Miyamoto Musashi, who is famed as Japan’s greatest swordsman - undefeated in more than sixty duels. Musashi became a ronin after he escaped death during the Battle of Sekigahara when serving general Hideyori. Aside from being a swordsman, he was also a philosopher, artist, and well-learned Buddhist.