| There is no such thing as the mythic Samurai | | | | time, resulting in a stomach-churning stench that |
| Swordsman who never loses, the swordsman so | | | | would keep would-be challengers from even wanting |
| skilled that no man would dare approach him for fear | | | | to approach him, let alone fight him. |
| of losing their head. Such a figure is the work of | | | | Musashi's book, the Book of Five Rings, gives |
| cinematic deception found in pop culture films from | | | | instructions to young swordsmen seeking to hone |
| American and Japanese film makers alike. | | | | their skills both in battle and in individual dueling. The |
| It is a good thing that I am writing this rather than | | | | book has been adapted to business practices by |
| giving a public speech. I don't think I could have said | | | | companies around the world, and is seen as a |
| all of that with a straight face. There is at least one | | | | corporate success tool. Whether Miyamoto would |
| swordsman whose life and skill have become legend, | | | | approve or not, who can say for sure. |
| and who's name will never be forgotten. Miyamoto | | | | What I can say is that Musashi Swords is a company |
| Musashi. Arguably, he was the greatest swordsman in | | | | which produces swords from their forge in China, and |
| Japanese history, perhaps even in the world. He lost | | | | their swords often feature the two-ring iron tsuba |
| one duel in his early life, and vowed never to lose | | | | design which was actually on Miyamoto's personal |
| again, a promise he kept. He fought over 60 duels | | | | blades. For the company to name themselves after |
| and never lost, though he once came to a tie. | | | | such a legendary swordsman is a bold claim, but one |
| His dueling style was unlike anything that the Samurai | | | | which is not all talk. Musashi Swords offers many |
| of his time had seen before. Being taller than most in | | | | blades at economical prices, allowing people in our day |
| his day, Miyamoto likewise required a longer sword | | | | and age who are suffering side-effects from the |
| than most. He did not fight with this sword alone, | | | | global economy to still collect swords without |
| however. A Samurai typically carried two swords | | | | spending too much. In fact, their basic katana is |
| worn on the waist at any given time, a practice put | | | | offered for a mere $50. |
| into law by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The two | | | | However, for the collector who wants a Musashi |
| swords were the long sword, or katana, and the | | | | Sword that is truly worthy of holding the name of a |
| short sword, or wakazashi. Miyamoto fought with | | | | mythic swordsman, the Musashi Elite Samurai Sword |
| both swords, one in each hand, simultaneously. To be | | | | is a higher end blade that commands respect. The |
| able to do this adequately takes a great deal of skill, | | | | two-ring tsuba is done in an oxidized copper, giving it |
| let alone doing it with the proficiency that has earned | | | | that aged and legendary appearance. The blade is |
| Musashi's place in the annals of history. | | | | hand forged from carbon steel and clay tempered, |
| Musashi himself actually fought against Tokugawa and | | | | resulting in a hamon, or temper line, which is natural |
| his army at the Battle of Sekigahara, choosing | | | | and beautiful. To clarify, the hamon is a part of the |
| instead to side with the army of Ishida Mitsunari. | | | | blade which must be examined with discrimination by |
| Though Musashi's personal achievements during this | | | | the die-hard collector, since many low end swords |
| battle were great, the Ishida Army lost, resulting in | | | | feature a hamon which is wire-brushed. Musashi |
| the establishment of the Tokugawa regime. | | | | Swords offers low end swords with such a temper |
| Years later, Miyamoto Musashi defeated another | | | | line, but the elite hamon is genuine and prominent. |
| legendary swordsman of the era named Sasaki | | | | The Musashi Elite Samurai Sword is simply beautiful. I'll |
| Kojiro. What's more, Miyamoto used only one sword | | | | admit, my personal preference is toward a blade that |
| in this duel; a sword he carved out of a boat oar | | | | doesn't have a lot of artwork or gold-clad furnishings. |
| while on his way to the island where the duel was to | | | | That means that while many would claim this sword |
| be held. The fight lasted mere moments and resulted | | | | to be beautiful simply to try and make a sales pitch, I |
| in Kojiro's death. | | | | truly believe it to be a worthy addition to any |
| It is said that Musashi became somewhat disgusted | | | | collection. It is fully functional. After all, Miyamoto |
| with killing men in duels, and would do whatever it | | | | would have it no other way if he were around to |
| took to avoid being challenged in the first place. It is | | | | give his two cents worth. |
| rumored that he actually stopped bathing and wore | | | | Every sword should tell a story. This one tells a |
| the same dirty clothes for weeks or months at a | | | | legend. |