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Miyamoto Musashi ( , c. 1584 – June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takez, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Draku, was an expert Japanese swordsman, martial arts philosophy writer and rnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent and unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 60 duels (next is 33 by It Ittsai). He was the founder of the Hyh Niten Ichi-ry or Niten-ry style of swordsmanship and in his final years authored The Book of Five Rings ( Go Rin no Sho), a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.
