Sasaki Kojirō was one of Japan’s most famous swordsmen and skilled warriors (perhaps even the greatest swordsman) who is said to have lived during the Azuchi–Momoyama and early Edo periods. However, this legendary figure is most famous for his duel with the samurai Miyamoto Musashi at Ganryu Island, where he met his untimely end.
Despite having lived centuries ago, and although there is still much about him that we don't know, some historians believe this formidable figure didn't even exist at all. However, Sasaki Kojiro's legend continues to live on today, with his story having been retold in folklore, literature, film, and games throughout modern culture.
What We Know About Sasaki Kojirō
It's worth noting that a lot of this swordsman's life remains shrouded in secrecy and mystery. However, according to legend, Sasaki Kojiro was born in 1575 in Japan’s Fukui Prefecture. As far as we know, Kojiro gained his formidable skills at a young age by studying the Chujo-ryu style of swordsmanship under the expertise of Toda Seigen – a master swordsman known for mastering the kodachi (short sword) during combat.
However, Sasaki himself soon found he much preferred the nodachi – a long sword that would come to define his famous fighting style.
There are many snippets of information out there about Kojiro, one being that he was a very flamboyant man who liked to stand out. Although we don't know if a lot of the information about him is true, one thing is for sure: Kojiro's skill level cannot be understated.
The Famous Duel Between Sasaki Kojirō and Miyamoto Musashi
Who was Miyamoto Musash?
Miyamoto Musashi was a legendary swordsman, samurai, and famous writer. His book, The Book of Five Rings, where he wrote about strategy and sword fighting, is actually still used to this very day. But his story goes even deeper than that.
It's said that in 1612, Sasaki Kojiro and Miyamoto Musashi were actually rivals, which is what led to their famous duel.
The Duel: Setting the Scene
As we’ve mentioned, it's hard to know how much of Sasaki Kojiro's life is true. However, it's widely accepted by historians that the duel between him and Miyamoto Musashi did actually take place. The duel is said to have occurred on April 13, 1612, on a remote island: Ganryū Island (which was formerly known as Funashima).
This island can be found between two of Japan's main islands: Honshu and Kyushu. Although you can access the island via ferry these days, back in 1612 when the duel took place, Ganryu Island was considered pretty remote. This was one of the main reasons why Musashi chose this spot for the famous duel, as he worried about Kojiro's disciples, who would have likely killed him after the duel.
How it All Went Down
As the story goes, Miyamoto Musashi arrived late. It’s said that he did this on purpose, as a psychological trick. Some accounts even detail Musashi arriving as late as three hours, which was considered a sign of utter disrespect.
Another widely accepted fact about the legend is that Musashi fought with a wooden sword, which is actually believed to have been carved from an oar that morning and was slightly longer than Kojiro's weapon. This was another insulting blow.
Sasaki Kojirō's Sword Style
Sasaki Kojiro's sword style was known as Ganryū (巌流), which translates to "large rock style."
This warrior was also known for his skill with a nodachi sword (sometimes used interchangeably with the odachi sword – check out the differences here). This type of curved Japanese sword was very long – typically longer than other swords (such as the katana or the tachi). Typically, this blade reached 90 cm (35 inches) at a minimum but often exceeded that, making it the perfect choice for a master swordman like Sasaki Kojiro.
Sasaki Kojiro called his nodachi sword the Monohoshizao (物干し竿), which translated to "The Laundry-Drying Pole."
Kojiro fought with a technique called Tsubame Gaeshi (燕返し), which translated to "Swallow Reversal / Return." This was a swift and deadly move that was inspired by the flight of a swallow.
Sasaki Kojirō and Popular Culture
There's no denying that Sasaki Kojiro has made his mark on popular culture. His historic rivalry and famous duel with Miyamoto Musashi have been the focus of many different retellings in literature, films, and even video games.
For example, you'll find Kojirō in novels such as Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. In books and writing, Kojirō is often portrayed as a skilled warrior who commands his sword and fights with elegance and honor, directly opposing Musashi's unconventional style. You'll also find him in Manga series such as Record of Ragnarok.
When it comes to video games, Kojirō's character is seen as a formidable opponent or a playable character in a range of samurai-themed games, such as Vagabond, where he fights Musashi like history depicts.
Many of these adaptions highlight this warrior's skill with the famous nodachi sword.
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Conclusion
With such mystery and secrecy surrounding Sasaki Kojiro, it's no wonder that he's such a famous figure in history and today's pop culture. Most of what we know about him comes from Miyamoto Musashi and their famous duel, and much of it is shrouded in secrecy. However, we know that he fought with a technique called tsubame gaeshi, and we know he fought with a nodachi sword. We also know that, despite how little we understand about him, he was considered one of the best swordsmen who ever lived.