18 moments

1. Birth in Miyamoto village

   1583-01-01 · Miyamoto village, Yoshino District, Mimasaka Province, Japan

   

   Musashi’s birth is traditionally placed in Miyamoto village, in the Yoshino district of Mimasaka Province. The precise modern site and even province of birth remain disputed. Birthplace traditions conflict: the same article discusses both Harima and Mimasaka Province. Coordinates are a representative point for the Miyamoto area of present-day Mimasaka.

2. First duel with Arima Kihei

   1596-01-01 · Hirafuku, Sayo, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

   

   The chronology places Musashi at Hirafuku for his reported first duel with Arima Kihei. The chronology section is explicitly uncited on the source page; coordinates represent Hirafuku settlement.

3. Battle of Ishigakihara

   1600-01-01 · Ishigakibaru, Beppu, Ōita Prefecture, Japan

   

   Musashi is described as serving in Kuroda Yoshitaka’s army and fighting at Ishigakihara during the Sekigahara campaign. The article notes scholarly debate over Musashi's wider Sekigahara-campaign service, but directly states his participation at Ishigakihara.

4. Visit to Kōfuku-ji and duel in Nara

   1604-01-01 · Kōfuku-ji, Nara, Japan

   

   The chronology records Musashi visiting Kōfuku-ji in Nara and duelling the Hōzōin-trained priest Okuzōin Dōei. The source chronology is uncited; coordinate is the temple complex.

5. Yoshioka matches in Kyoto

   1604-01-01 · Rendai Moor, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan

   

   Musashi’s three matches with the Yoshioka school are placed in Kyoto; one is specifically located at Rendai Moor west of Mount Funaoka. The source chronology is uncited. Coordinates represent the specified Rendai-Moor area for the first match.

6. Duel with Shishido in western Mie

   1607-01-01 · Western Mie Prefecture, Japan

   

   Musashi is placed in western Mie Prefecture for a duel with the kusarigama specialist Shishido. The source gives only a broad regional location; coordinates are a representative point in western Mie.

7. Duel with Musō Gonnosuke

   1608-01-01 · Edo, Japan

   

   The chronology places Musashi in Edo for a duel with Musō Gonnosuke, a master of the five-foot staff. The source chronology is uncited; coordinates represent central Edo, now Tokyo.

8. Fights in Edo

   1610-01-01 · Edo, Japan

   

   Musashi is placed in Edo for reported fights with Hayashi Osedo and Tsujikaze Tenma. The source chronology is uncited; coordinates represent central Edo, now Tokyo.

9. Duel with Sasaki Kojirō

   1612-04-13 · Ganryū Island, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

   

   Musashi’s most famous reported duel took place on Ganryū Island off Shimonoseki, where the source says Kojirō was defeated. The article’s narrative notes differing opinions on the duel’s details; this card follows its stated date and location.

10. Service under Ogasawara Tadanao

    1615-01-01 · Harima Province, Japan

    

    After the Osaka campaigns, Musashi entered Ogasawara Tadanao’s service in Harima Province as a construction supervisor. The source gives a 1615–1621 span; 1615 is used as the documented beginning. Coordinates are a representative point in Harima.

11. Duel with Miyake Gunbei

    1621-01-01 · Tatsuno, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

    

    The chronology places Musashi in Tatsuno, Hyōgo, for a duel with Miyake Gunbei. The source chronology is uncited; coordinates represent Tatsuno city.

12. Temporary residence in Himeji

    1622-01-01 · Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

    

    Musashi established a temporary residence in the castle town of Himeji. The source chronology is uncited; coordinates represent central Himeji.

13. Journey to Edo

    1623-01-01 · Edo, Japan

    

    The chronology records another journey by Musashi to Edo. The source chronology is uncited; coordinates represent central Edo, now Tokyo.

14. Meeting with Yagyū Hyōgonosuke

    1628-01-01 · Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

    

    Musashi met Yagyū Hyōgonosuke in Nagoya, then in Owari Province. The source chronology is uncited; coordinates represent central Nagoya.

15. Short residence in Kokura

    1634-01-01 · Kokura, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

    

    Musashi briefly settled in Kokura with his adopted son Iori as a guest of Ogasawara Tadazane. The source chronology is uncited; coordinates represent central Kokura.

16. Residence at Chiba Castle

    1640-01-01 · Chiba Castle, Kumamoto, Japan

    

    After becoming a Hosokawa retainer, Musashi received Chiba Castle in Kumamoto as his residence. Coordinates identify the documented Chiba Castle site in Kumamoto.

17. Retreat to Reigandō

    1643-01-01 · Reigandō Cave, Kumamoto, Japan

    

    Musashi retired to Reigandō cave as a hermit and wrote The Book of Five Rings there.

18. Death at Reigandō according to Nitenki

    1645-01-01 · Reigandō Cave, Kumamoto, Japan

    

    One of the sources cited in the biography records Musashi’s death in Reigandō cave; another places it at his Chiba Castle residence. Death location is explicitly disputed between sources. This card records the Reigandō tradition only; the article dates his death around 13 June 1645.