The Bizarre Duel

Hello one and all!

Duels have taken place for millennia. When honour and reputations were on the line people would frequently resort to duels. These contests of violence could sometimes produce the unusual.   

The Bizarre Duel

In 1612 in Japan an unknown warrior Miyamoto Musashi challenged Sasaki Kojiro, the most feared warrior in the country and the Shogun’s own martial arts teacher, who used slightly longer blades. Whereas Kojiro fit the image of the ideal samurai that followed the Bushido code closely and was dressed in the finest, the fact was that Musashi was a wandering fighter that rarely bathed or even bothered to change his clothes. On the appointed day Musashi took his time with getting ready: eating breakfast, washing and getting dressed. Overall just taking his time. 

When he finally arrived on the island, it was way past the 8 o’ clock AM predetermined time. Musashi just stayed in the shallow water, keeping his weapon concealed in the water. Kojiro was furious and ran to the water’s edge , screaming and brandishing his sword. With all the insults and formalities out of the way they both attacked at the same time-Kojiro nicked his opponent's headband, while Musashi hit his famous opponent full in the head with a wooden sword that he had crafted from an oar. Kojiro tried to fight from his prone position but another blow broke his ribs and he fainted. The fact was that the wooden oar sword was heavy and long, giving him a reach advantage against even Kojiro’s samurai sword. 

On Funashima island there is a statue that commemorates this duel in great detail.

Thank you for reading!