Musashi 2003 episodes 1-12 recap

The gorgeous Ichikawa Ebizō (formerly Shinnosuke) as Musashi

The followings are my recap of Musashi 2003 Taiga drama episodes. Spoilers for those who haven’t watched the (very great and totally recommended) series.

Episode 1

The episode started with a grim (but somewhat funny) exchange of questions between Shimen Takezo and Honiden Matahachi, each asking the other whether they were still alive, whether they still had legs and arms. Yes, Takezo and Mata-yan (Takezo’s pet name to Matahachi) fought for the West side and survived the Sekigahara. Later, they got a glimpse of Yagyu Munenori and Yagyu Hyōgonosuke as both samurai elegantly rode their horses across Sekigahara. Takezo and Matahachi met Akemi and Okoh (her mother). Matahachi bluffed that he Mata was a student of Itto Itosai (LOL! The way Takezo tilted his head in surprise at that bluff was too funny!). Takezo and Matahachi helped them fighting off some bandits.



Takezo met a ronin who taught him the essence of fighting, i.e. to keep yourself alive. Takezo killed all bandits, including Tenma the boss.

I've always noticed since the first time I saw Ichikawa Ebizo's Takezo that his expressions were the way Kabuki actors' expressions are. Well, that was to be expected, but I thought it was interesting.

Travel: Musashi’s alleged childhood place in Hirata House.

Episode 2

Takezo and Matahachi saw some women being captured; one of them having a child. The sight reminded them of Otsu, who lost her mother in the previous war. However, Takezo and Matahachi did nothing to stop the women, which disappoints me. Takezo returned to Mimasaka to tell Otsu that Matahachi couldn’t return now to Mimasaka, but Takezo didn’t tell Otsu that Mata-yan left her for Okoh. Stubborn Osugi, who didn’t believe that Takezo didn’t kill Matahachi, set Takezo up to be captured by Ikeda Terumasa’s men. Takezo escaped with Otsu’s warning, but later on Takuan Sōhō asked Otsu to lured Takezo out of his hiding place. Otsu couldn’t stand having Takezo tied up on a tree like that, so she helped him escape. Takezo was touched to find out that Otsu’s palms were bloody because of her attempt to save her. He asked her to escape with her and despite her initial reluctance, she finally agreed. However, during the run, she slipped and thus both fell into a river.

Memorable quote from Mosuke-san before he died after Takezo accidentally lethally hit him with a sword: “Who do you protect, Takezo?”

Episode 3


The rascal Takezo was captured by Takuan and Ikeda Terumasa’s men and locked down in the Himeji Castle in Harima. Takuan informed Takezo that Otsu died, which broke Takezo’s heart but didn’t tamper his rebellious nature. Takuan correctly commented that Takezo’s rebellious nature could indicate his inner fights.

The three Yagyū warriors (Sekishusai, Hyōgonosuke, Munenori) were discussing the resistance in Kyoto. Munenori disagreed with his father’s (Sekishusai) chosen path of peace; Munenori believed it was important to rise to power to protect the Yagyū land.

In Kyoto, Sasaki Kojiro met Oshino again when he passed by her troupe lead by Izumo no Okuni (a FEMALE artist, the originator of Kabuki). Matahachi tailed Okoh (and Akemi was dragged along) to Kyoto. During the kabuki performance, some men tried to kidnap Oshino, but Sasaki Kojiro intervened. Kojiro learned that Oshino was chased by Date Masamune’s men. Kojiro also asked Oshino to run away with him. Okuni encouraged Oshino to leave the troupe to follow Kojiro. Oshino finally agreed, thus she waited and waited for hours at the promised place, without knowing that Kojiro was detained by Yae, Kojiro’s former fiancé whose father was murdered by none other than Kojiro (at the behest of his teacher), thus Oshino left Kyoto in disappointment, thinking that she had been deceived by a man.

In the same Kyoto, Okoh flirted openly with Gion Toji of the Yoshioka Kenpo while Matahachi could do nothing. Akemi was trying to avoid Yoshioka Seijuro to no avail. Later, Matahachi met an old friend (Yajiro) in Kyoto who told him that Otsu ran away with Takezo. Yajiro himself wanted to avenge his brother’s death (Mosuke-san), whom Takezo accidentally killed when he tried to escape Terumasa’s men.

Back in the Himeji Castle, Takuan tried to teach Takezo of the no-mind principles, to no avail. The rascal Takezo didn’t even deign to enjoy the simplicity of green tea. However, when Takezo saw how amazing was Takuan’s fighting skills, he secretly admired the priest. Outside Himeji Castle, unbeknownst to him, Otsu faithfully waited for Takezo to finish his training.

Yet, the impatience in him defeated Takezo’s resolve. In the midst of a calligraphy lesson, Takezo ran away from the castle. He stubbornly refused to return to the castle although Takuan hastily explained that Otsu was still alive and was waiting for Takezo to finish his training. Instead, Takezo asked Takuan (or rather, screamed at the priest) to tell Otsu that he’d return to her once he was strong. Then Takezo dashed off through the bridge, completely missing Otsu who was cleaning up the tea hut she was working in.

Later, Otsu told Takuan that Takezo’s fear is that he wasn’t strong enough. Otsu said how every time Takezo said that he wanted to be strong, she heard it as a cry of pain. Otsu also point blank told Takuan that a person couldn’t change overnight. Later, Takuan admitted his own arrogance to Ikeda Terumasa, for the priest thought he could change Takezo with his own power. Ikeda said even a priest couldn’t defeat a woman who had given up everything for a man she loved. Ikeda also wrote ‘Miyamoto Musashi’ 宮本武蔵 on the wall, saying that he’d bestow that name to Takezo one day.

I don't think I like the changes in the origin of Musashi's name and the way his training went; they're different from the novel. However, the cast is excellent and the acting is superb, and I love the chemistry between Takezo and Otsu. Thus, I will watch the rest of the episode.

Episode 4

Takezo left for Kyoto and met a woman who he thought was about to be harassed by two men. However, the woman (Aya) easily defeated the men before Takezo, who was ready to help, made any moves. Aya later hit Takezo in the solar plexus and left.

Takezo arrived in Kyoto. Here I find it interesting, and rather disappointing that the same Takezo who almost helped Aya actually did nothing when three men were flirting, to the point of harassing a Kyoto woman. What’s the difference in the two situations? Was it because Takezo didn’t think that the Kyoto woman was in a real danger?

Anyway, Takezo later challenged the Yoshioka Kenpo school. He defeated student Ueda, yet Denshichiro refused the challenge and even bowed to Takezo such that the rascal left in anger. Otsu left Harima for Kyoto, searching for Takezo. Osugi and Uncle Gonroku left Mimasaka for Kyoto as well to search for both Matahachi and Takezo. While resting, Osugi mistook an ill Oshino for Otsu. Back in Kyoto, Izumo no Okuni was angry at Kojiro for abandoning Oshino, but Kojiro actually had his reason. His former fiancée Yae came and committed suicide in front of him. Upon learning the real reason, Okuni understood Kojiro and advised him to look for Oshino.

Eventually, Yoshioka Seijuro accepted Takezo’s challenge. Although Takezo had an upper hand for a moment, he was defeated later. It was only upon Denshichiro’s request that Seijuro didn’t kill Takezo (who was ready to die anyway). Shocked that he was defeated, Takezo stumbled outside and met Matahachi, who followed Takezo and asked him questions until they arrived at the outskirt of Kyoto. Mata-yan interrogated Takezo about Otsu, but Takezo said he and Otsu got separated in Himeji. Matahachi then asked why Takezo looked so angry, but before Takezo replied, Yajiro came and had a bout with Takezo. Yajiro didn’t have stand a chance, but it was Matahachi who took an accidental slash of Takezo’s sword. Takezo was stunned and thus he explained, in sobs, that Yoshuoka Seijuro defeated him.

Meanwhile, the angry Seijuro took his frustration on Akemi, who couldn’t do anything other than let Seijuro had her, because her mother didn’t stop the Yoshioka master at all. Matahachi arrived in Okoh’s teahouse (he still lived with them although Okoh had dumped him in favour of Gion Toji) and found the crying Akemi. The kind Matahachi took Akemi to the river so that she could wash herself.

As he contemplated his defeat, Takezo met Aya again. She said he could be stronger if he made love with her (eeewww…!!!), or he could challenge Inshun in Nara and Sekishusai in Yagyū.

Episode 5

Upon being defeated by Seijuro, Takezo trained hard by himself. Matahachi decided to leave Okoh and Kyoto and went to Fushimi. But just as he left Okoh’s house, he met Otsu who just arrived in Kyoto. Matahachi begged Otsu to return home with him, but Otsu said he shouldn't have left her for Okoh.  Matahachi then said that Otsu basically wasted her time searching for Takezo, for Takezo just wanted to excel in swordsmanship. There would be no room for Otsu. Since Otsu still wanted to go to Nara (she somehow deduced that Takezo would go to Nara, the next place with lots of swordsmen), Matahachi then said that Otsu had always loved Takezo since they were kids. Otsu denied it, but she then said how she always felt sorry for Takezo, curling up in his simple, derelict hut. Even now, she could see him curling up against the cold, in a temple somewhere. Listening to Otsu’s words, Matahachi realised that Otsu indeed loved Takezo, despite the girl’s denial. The day after, after escorting her as far as he could, Matahachi said goodbye to Otsu (she refused Matahachi’s escort to Nara).

By the way, the way Otsu described how she felt whenever she thought of Takezo, curling up against the cold in his hut or in a temple somewhere... even the silly Matahachi could see that she was in love with Takezo...

But a girl traveling in the Sengoku era by herself always invited trouble. Otsu was no exception. After an overnight in an abandoned temple (when, on the same night elsewhere, Takezo remembered how Otsu’s hands bled for him), Otsu was harassed by some @$$holes before being rescued by Yagyū Hyōgonosuke. The honourable samurai then took Otsu to Yagyū, because he was worried that a pretty girl like Otsu traveling alone was like putting oil to fire. Hyōgo promised that he’d send his men to Nara to seek for the man Otsu was searching for. Otsu smiled and agreed to go to Yagyū with Hyōgo. Actually, she giggled a bit because Hyōgo was clearly infatuated by her!

(and TBH, as I’m now into the second viewing, now I think that, in the absence of Musashi, I’m actually fine with Otsu being with Hyōgo. You can practically see him worshipping her footprints! Just… because we have Musashi, Takezo… and Otsu had known him since childhood… and the eventual sweetness between them…I still prefer the Otsu-Musashi pairing).

In a waterfall somewhere, Takezo was closing his eyes, listening to the water droplets falling. He then slashed his katana, which perfectly captured a water droplet in time.

With that, Takezo packed his very little belonging and left the waterfall for Nara.

(By the way, the way Takezo captured the water droplets was amazing. He's a better Takezo there than the angry, defeated Takezo. His frustration and ambition are still simmering within, but more controlled. And I think this waterfall is the same waterfall that Hyōgo mentioned to Otsu…).


Episode 6

Takezo arrived at Hozoin Nara and defeated Agon, the largest and most formidable priest therein, with the exception of the Abott Inshun. I find the scene where Takezo entered the Hozoin hall funny, for he ignored the welcoming priest and just sat on the stairs, cleaning his own feet before stepping upstairs. Takezo was still very rough and borderline rude, but in a way, him cleaning his dirty feet shows that he still had manners. Also, he started to end his sentences with the proper –masu or –imasen or the like, instead of just the basic dictionary form.

Later, an announcement was made in town that a Shinmen Takezo said that Hozoin was full of crabs (misspelling intended). The young Jōtaro saw the announcement and shook his head. At that time, Takezo met Jotaro. Upon reading the announcement, Takezo also declared that he wasn’t the one who wrote the insult. Hozoin Temple issued a statement that whoever could capture Takezo would be rewarded. Thus, a group of ronin gathered at the Hannya Hill to catch Takezo. Takezo defeated them and also gained an insight on how to use two swords during the fight. Turned out, Hozoin knew that Takezo wasn’t the one who wrote the announcement. They just announced the reward so that they could get rid of the lawless ronin in Nara.

Matahachi’s plan to impersonate Sasaki Kojiro had an epic fail. He also met his mother but later escaped her again. Hyōgonosuke took Otsu to Yagyū because he was concerned that Otsu would be in danger traveling alone in Nara. Hyōgo promised Otsu that he’d send men to Nara to search for Takezo.


Episode 7

Takezo won the duel in Hozoin by defeating Inshun, but he walked away feeling so lonely. Jotaro pestered Takezo, asking the ronin to accept him as a student. When Takezo asked (or yelled) whether Jotaro didn’t want to go back to his mother, Jō said he was abandoned, hence he wanted to be strong, so that he could live alone. That honesty stunned Takezo, as if Jō was telling him his own life story. Thus, Takezo let Jōtaro tag along.

Outside Hozoin, Takezo met Nikkan, an old priest of Okuzoin whom he met before he reached Hozoin. Takezo told Nikkan that he (Takezo) was worried that Nikkan would attack him. However, Nikkan said that the danger Takezo sensed was Takezo’s own shadow. After feeding the hungry Jōtaro, and after learning that Takezo was going to Yagyū, Nikkan also gave Takezo some money. Takezo originally refused, but Nikkan said the young man needed to learn how to accept his own feelings as well as others’ feelings. Learn to accept kindness.

Takezo almost burst into tears, as if Nikkan was reading his soul like a book. Takezo bowed deep and left Nikkan. As he walked away, a sudden longing to see Otsu grabbed Takezo’s heart.

Meanwhile, Matahachi accidentally met the real Sasaki Kojiro. When the real Kojiro met some men who requested that he returned to his home fief Sasaki, he refused.

Takezo and Jotaro arrived at Yagyu. The smart Jotaro commented how there were many trees at Yagyu. Takezo just said that trees were usually plentiful anyway in the mountain. However, Jo said that his own village was battered by war of daimyos, hence there were barely any trees left. The fact that the Yagyū fief had many trees indicated that the residing daimyo is a good lord, a good leader. Takezo was stunned by that smart deduction.

Ooh, this episode is full of scenes I love! The other scene I love (in addition to the Nikkan scene and Jo commenting on the trees) was that of Takezo slashing the peony stem to see if he could copy the precision that Sekishusai did to that stem! And when he realised he was no match to whoever cut the stem earlier, Takezo was tearful! It was quite faithful to the novel, although in the novel, Musashi (not Takezo) gave up on seeing Sekishusai upon realising he couldn't copy Sekishusai's slash.

By the way, before that scene, Takezo came knocking on the Yagyū door but no one replied. There was a poem on the door; Takezo later read it to Jo who asked. The poem said that Sekishusai wished only to hear the birds singing, instead of having anything to do with the swords. Upon reading the poem, Takezo wanted to see Sekishusai more.

Anyway, after failing to imitate the cut of a Yagyu warrior, Takezo sent Jotaro to deliver his cut stem back to the Yagyu. That part of the peony stem had two cut ends, one cut by Takezo and one cut by Sekishusai (but Takezo didn’t know that). Yagyu Hyōgonosuke told Jotaro that it was Yagyū Sekishusai who cut the stem. When Jo asked to meet Sekishusai, Hyōgo refused him. Later, Hyōgo informed his grandfather about the stem. It was unfortunate that none of them knew that it was Takezo who deduced Sekishusai’s strength via the peony stem.

Later, Sekishusai hinted that he wanted Otsu to stay at Yagyū for Hyōgo’s benefit, although the grandson became red as a bit and stuttered lke a… parrot?

Meanwhile, Matahachi was deceived… yet again… into becoming a slave in a mining industry…

Meanwhile in Osaka, Kojiro met Koto, the wife of a merchant he helped. Koto looked like the split image of Yae, Kojiro’s former fiancé who committed suicide, such that Kojiro was stunned. Later, Kojiro managed to kill a swallow (which marked his excellence in his swordmanship) and then bedded Koto in his excitement. However, the day after (or a few days after), he saw Oshino again as she was invited to perform in the manor that Kojiro was staying in.

Back in Yagyu, Takezo barged into the Yagyu Manor, but he was stunned by the sound of a flute that was the exact copy of Otsu’s. Well, it was Otsu’s flute alright… for she was playing the flute that night as she was watching the moon with Lord Sekishusai and Hyōgonosuke.

The sound of flute grabbed Takezo with loneliness once more.


Episode 8

From loneliness, Takezo almost – as Jōtaro later commented –went mad when he heard Otsu’s flute. Like a mad man, he tried to climb the tree in front of the Yagyū gate to see if it was indeed Otsu who was playing it. Then, suddenly the flute stopped. Takezo also stopped, and cancelled his plan to jump over the fence. (I think he was scared there that he’d truly meet Otsu?)

At the same time, Otsu stopped her playing because she thought she heard or felt something. Of course she was right; Takezo was just a few steps away from her. However, Hyōgo dismissed it, saying that whoever tried to barge in will face trouble, because the Manor was guarded by so many samurai. As Otsu and Hyōgo were outside hearing range, Aya came to tell Sekishusai that Shinmen Takezo was there. After listening to Aya’s brief of Takezo’s CV, Sekishusai dismissed Aya then asked his grandson Hyōgo and Otsu to go to his daughter’s place to get some sweetened fish. Like, right that moment. Call it an old man’s wistful thinking, he said. Although baffled, Otsu and Hyōgo left the manor immediately. Aya then went to Takezo’s inn to invite him to meet Sekishusai in the morning. This is their conversation:

Sekishusai: What is important for you? What do you hold dear?

Takezo: To win

Sekishusai: What will you do to achieve it?

Takezo: Win, win, win

Sekishusai: A very clear answer. 

Takezo: At the moment, nothing is more important than winning. 

Sekishusai: Not even the woman you love?

Takezo (surprised): I’m too unexperienced to have a relationship with a woman.

Sekishusai: Well, then it eases up my conscious a bit. Because I’ve wronged you, I’ll give you a duel lesson then. 


Then, ignoring the baffled Takezo who couldn’t understand why Sekishusai said that the old master had wronged him, Sekishusai had a match with Takezo, in which the latter of course lost. Takezo was angry; he said that he wouldn't lose if he could use a real sword (they used a leather-wrapped boken). Sekishusai commented how Takezo hated losing. The old master also asked if Takezo heard the bird singing during the duel. Takezo didn’t, but Sekishusai did. Without the ability to listen to the birds and wind, without the appreciation of the sweetness of water, swordsmanship is nothing. It’s something to cherish life with, not to take life. Sekishusai also told the story of his grandson Hyōgonosuke, who once “had to” kill many villagers (including women and children) to stop a rebellion. Upon seeing many corpses in the moonlight, Hyōgo almost went mad. Sekishusai didn’t tell Takezo (of course) that the reason why Sekishusai sent Otsu with Hyōgo was to give Hyōgo a chance to enjoy the moonlight once more.

Sekishusai then kindly let Takezo go, but he also advised the young man to taste the water in the river by the mansion.

Takezo did. And when he tasted it, he was stunned by the sweetness, the freshness of the water.

Sekishusai left such a big impression on Takezo that when the latter left Yagyu, he felt such a strange feeling in his heart. I do think it’s a mixture of the proximity with Otsu that he didn't’ realise, but I also think it was because of Sekishusai.

Takezo wasn’t the only one reluctant on leaving Yagyū though. Jotaro had taken a liking on Kocha, the inn maid (he said to her that he’d be much stronger and then he’d come back for her), hence Takezo suggested that Jotaro stayed in the inn. Jotaro would be lonely if he followed Takezo. Jo refused the idea, saying that he was an abandoned child hence he was always alone anyway before ran towards the pathway out of Yagyū. Hearing that, Takezo realised how similar he actually was with Jotaro. Thus, Takezo ran to catch up with Jotaro and then hugged that boy.

Not unlike a big brother would to his little brother, or a young father would to his son…

Meanwhile, Kojiro wanted to see Oshino but the latter refused the audience. Kojiro later told Koto that he’d go to Kyoto, but Koto said she’d tag along (thus leaving her husband behind).

Oshino herself was visited by one Hanada who wanted to kill her. Oshino was apparently the half sister of Date Masamune, and she held the key to Date’s plan to overthrow Ieyasu. However, Oshino was tired of running, hence she burned the evidential letter and asked Hanada to kill her.

Meanwhile, Matahachi was imprisoned in a mine and had to work like a slave there.


Episode 9 

After leaving Yagyū, Takezo and Jōtaro accidentally met Takuan Sōhō who was running away from some villagers (Takuan ran away because the villagers wanted to thank him after him helping their village, but the priest didn’t want such a fuss). When asked by Takuan where he’d go next, Takezo said that he’d return to Kyoto to challenge Yoshioka Seijuro once more. Takuan asked what about Otsu, and Takezo basically said he had no time for her, because he was a student of martial arts thus his life was uncertain. Takuan argued that to understand himself, Takezo had to understand others first. In particular Otsu, who left Mimasaka, the village that gave her protection, for Takezo. Takuan later gave the name scroll containing “Miyamoto Musashi 宮本武蔵” – the new name for Takezo that Ikeda Terumasa bestowed. Takezo accepted the scroll solemnly, but he didn’t comment much.

Meanwhile, Jōtaro found a mask he liked a lot that the shop keeper eventually gave him the mask.  Takuan later told Takezo to stop by Uji to see his mother and sister.

In Yagyū, Munenori was visiting his dad Sekishusai. Munenori was definitely not my favourite. He defied the kind Sekishusai and barked at his own wife Rin like she was a servant. Poor Rin later confided in Otsu about her annoying husband before commenting how Hyōgonosuke’s gaze showed how he wanted to marry Otsu.

Meanwhile, Matahachi escaped the mine because of an explosion. Oshino ran away with Hanada, yet she saw Sasaki Kojiro with Koto as she left the boat. Koto saw how Kojiro tensed as he saw Oshino, but both Kojiro and Oshino didn’t say anything to each other, though each of them knew the presence of the other.

As they sheltered in a temple for the night, Takezo asked Jōtaro why the kid loved the mask so much. Jo said that when he was a child, he was abandoned by his mother. But he remembered that there was such a mask in the last house where he was with this mother. Thus, the new mask reminded him of his mother. Listening to this story, Takezo recalled his mother as well, how once he wanted to see her, but upon arriving in her village, she didn’t deign to see him.

Meanwhile, Takuan went to Yagyū and met Sekishusai. As the two great men were talking about Munenori, Otsu and Hyōgo came. Takuan was very surprised to learn that Otsu was there, but he was more surprised to know that Otsu didn’t see Takezo at all. Upon learning that Takezo was going to Kyoto, Otsu packed her belongings and made her leave. Despite Takuan urged her to consider who needed her most (Takezo might not need her, while Hyogo definitely needed her), Otsu went back to Kyoto.

Takezo arrived at Uji and met her sister. Yet, while she left to fetch their mother, Takezo was gripped with fear that his strength would crumble if he met his mother. Thus, Takezo left Uji without seeing his mother. Takezo now knew why his mother didn’t see him that time. It wasn’t that she didn’t love him. It was because she loved him so much, she was afraid that her resolve would be dissolved, that she’d return back to her abusive husband. Finally understanding her, Takezo wept as he kept walking to Kyoto.


Episode 10

As soon as Takezo and Jotaro arrived in Kyoto, Takezo challenged Yoshioka Seijuro, introducing himself as Miyamoto Musashi (It was also the first time that Takezo used the name Miyamoto Musashi). Seijuro almost agreed but Gion Toji said they’d write a reply letter. Toji prevented Seijuro’s duel because he sensed that Takezo was a different person this time, so Seijuro might lose. After waiting for the Yoshioka response, Takezo chose to write the challenge on a board in town. Akemi (and also a very filthy Matahachi) read the challenge and recognised the name “Musashi” as Takezo. Akemi then found Musashi in a temple, where she asked him to defeat Seijuro.

Gion Toji asked Sasaki Kojiro – who just arrived in town with Koto – to kill Musashi. Kojiro originally agreed just for money. But when he saw Musashi walking down the stairs of a temple, he realised that he couldn't fight Musashi without being ready to lose an arm. Musashi himself felt the strong killing vibe in Kojiro, yet he was surprised that Kojiro didn’t even put his hands on his nodashi (long sword). Musashi later told Jotaro that he couldn't fight Kojiro without being prepared to die. Kojiro himself later refused Gion Toji’s request to kill Musashi because the two of them (Kojiro and Musashi) could both perish, and it would do them no good doing that for the Yoshioka.

Meanwhile, Otsu was attacked by some men and was almost brought to Edo when Akaneya Genzo rescued her. However, Genzo also wanted her for himself. He cast a spell on her but Aya rescued her. Aya even reminded Otsu after the latter woke up that Takezo was waiting for her in Kyoto. Genzo later asked if Aya loved this guy Takezo; Aya dismissed that notion.

Akemi finally spotted the dirty Matahachi and caught up with him, though he tried to escape. She invited Matahachi back home.

At the end of the episode, Otsu finally arrived in Kyoto and Takezo and Seijuro readied themselves for the duel.

By the way, I’m disappointed at Musashi at the beginning of the episode. How come he was so ignorant when a samurai kidnapped a woman on the street?!?!?!

Sometimes I wonder if Musashi was a hero or not. I suppose he was at the end, but in the earlier parts of the story, he was just a guy who wanted to prove himself. At least in this story.


Episode 11

Musashi defeated Seijuro in one blow thus crushing his right arm, such that Seijuro’s right arm had to be amputated. Gion Toji offered Kojiro a job to teach the Yoshioka Kenpo, but Kojiro refused for he thought Yoshioka was too small a school. Despite his originally timid personality, Denshichiro (who took the responsibility of amputating his brother’s arm) was determined to avenge his brother.

Meanwhile, after defeating Seijuro, Musashi wandered aimlessly outside Kyoto until he saw an old nun picking flowers. When he approached the nun, despite his polite nod as a greeting, she was scared such that she ran away, muttering a name (“Koetsu!”). Clearly taken aback due to that reception, Musashi picked the flowers and searched nearby until he found a house. There, he met Master Honami Koetsu and his mother Myoshu (the runaway nun). As polite as he could do, Musashi explained that Koetsu’s mother ran away from him, leaving out her flowers. Koetsu took a glance at Musashi and told his mother that the ronin wasn’t a bad ronin. He then explained to Musashi that his mother perceived a killing vibe in Musashi, hence her running away. Musashi said nothing, although Myoshu was actually spot on. Musashi then inquired about what Koetsu was drawing; he was trying to draw water. Myoshu commented that unless Koetsu understood the heart of the water, he could never draw it. Koetsu then invited Musashi for some tea.

It was the first tea ceremony Musashi had after his first failed proper macha ceremony in Himeji Temple. This time, the rough ronin still drank the macha in one go without savouring it. It was so clear how Musashi was out of his league when he drank the macha like a… a bogan (!). He had no idea how to treat the tea, and he was very uncomfortable with his lack of sensitivity to the cultured vibe that Koetsu and Myoshu exuded. When Koetsu asked whether Musashi was the guy who challenged Yoshioka Seijuro, Musashi felt increasingly uncomfortable, such that he changed the subject by asking what Koetsu and Myoshu were doing in a secluded place like that. Myoshu said they were searching for things of beauty.

From a heart that does battle, no beauty can emerge. From a heart that does not fight, a heart of merriment, beauty is born.

Those words of Myoshu’s left deep impressions inside Musashi.

Later, Koetsu walked him off and offered to take him one day to the pleasure district. His mother Myoshu was the one who suggested that Musashi went there. Once, Myoshu met Oda Nobunaga and smelled the same blood in him as in Musashi. Myoshu didn’t want Musashi to walk the same path of carnage with Nobunaga’s. Musashi was once again stunned, to the point of getting misty-eyed, upon listening to those words. It was the first time for a long time that Musashi truly bowed in respect to someone.

With those deep thoughts in his mind, Musashi walked back to the temple he and Jotaro stayed in. There, two Yoshioka men were waiting for him to deliver a duel letter from Denshichiro. Pensively, Musashi accepted the challenge. I felt like he was truly out of zone when he received the letter. It took him a few hours to truly have the fact dawned on him, that the next day at 9 pm he’d have a lethal duel with Denshichiro. Musashi was, as Myoshu feared, walking into the path of carnage…

Meanwhile, Otsu collapsed in fever after reaching Kyoto. A group of travellers rescued her and brought her into an inn, where Otsu feverishly whispered Takezo’s name. Unfortunately, that was the cue Osugi (who was staying at the same inn) needed to realise that Otsu, her old enemy, was lying unconscious a few feet away from her. Osugi still “nurtured” Otsu until the girl woke up. But then, Osugi told Otsu with such certainty that Takezo had died after the duel with Seijuro, which of course didn’t help Otsu’s full recovery.

Back at Koetsu’s place, Musashi was presented with a clean kimono and – despite his polite protest – was made into wearing it with Myoshu’s help (she helped him like she would her own son). Musashi’s hair was also properly combed, thus he looked much more presentable, although he clearly looked uncomfortable in a garment that wasn’t his own. Musashi and Koetsu then went to the pleasure district (should be Gion?), surreptitiously followed by the Yoshioka men (and Musashi and Koetsu knew about it). Musashi was increasingly becoming uncomfortable there because he was totally not in his environment. Nevertheless, there he met Yoshino Dayu/Tayu, the most coveted geisha in Gion, who gave him onigiri as requested and played biwa as Musashi finished his onigiri in such a very uncouth way. When Musashi paid no attention to the biwa music, Yoshino
destroyed her biwa and later told Musashi that a biwa must have the correct tension for it to play the melodies. If it’s too tight, it will snap. Musashi could be like that too if he didn’t learn to relax a bit. Ignoring her, Musashi left the district as Yoshino Dayu walked him off.

In the middle of the night, as Otsu weeped for her “dead” Takezo, Musashi walked towards his duel with Denshichiro.

(in a way, Osugi might be right. The old Takezo died in the duel with Seijuro, for another person emerged from it, and not necessarily a better one…)

Episode 12

Otsu found out from Uncle Gon that Musashi was going to do a duel that night against Denshichiro. Musashi arrived an hour early, but he waited until Denshichiro lost patience (that’s not nice, Musashi!). As with Seijuro, Musashi defeated Denshichiro in one strike. This time, since the stroke hit the latter’s head, he died on the spot. Afterwards, Musashi returned to Yoshino Dayu’s quarters and slept there. Not with her (thank God!). He slept sitting, holding his boken, while Yoshino cleaned his kimono. The next morning, Musashi was about to leave when Yoshino asked why he didn’t touch her. Did he not find her beautiful? He said he did, but he was frightened by her beauty, for beauty – as he just learned – apparently had such a strength that he feared could defeat him.

(Okay, I’m annoyed with Yoshino Dayu. I know that at this point Musashi didn’t know if he could return to Otsu, nor Otsu’s whereabouts, and as a normal man he’d find Dayu attractive with her demure gestures – though I find Otsu much more beautiful than her – thus his reactions. But I’m still annoyed with Yoshino for just being there! OTOH, Otsu had Yagyū Hyōgonosuke coveting for her, so I’d call that even…)

Musashi then walked towards Koetsu’s place to return the kimono Myoshu lent him. However, in town, Gion Toji et al. stopped him and issued the last challenge. In three days at 5 am, they were to duel outside the Ichijoji temple. Musashi once again accepted the challenge. Unlike the second challenge acceptance (which he did pensively, solemnly), he was this time in a more bloodthirst vibe. Afterwards, Musashi returned the kimono to Myoshu and apologised for walking the path of bloodshed. Myoshu said that he shouldn’t apologise to her… but his mother wouldn’t forgive him for walking that path. Musashi said he could walk no other path and once again apologised. He later returned to the temple he was staying and was greeted (no, big-hugged) by the worried Jotaro. Musashi himself was tearful for he started to have a kinship with Jotaro.

Meanwhile, Matahachi met Akaneya Genzo who eventually offered him a job to kill Tokugawa Ieyasu. The silly Mata-yan accepted the… job (not challenge), and thus Genzo gave him enough ryo to have fun around before going to Edo. As Mata-yan visited a teahouse and was pampered by about six girls, Akemi barged in, angry to find him amidst girls. She was also annoyed that Matahachi didn’t tell her how he got pretty rich. The idiotic Matahachi said that she didn’t have the rights to be angry with him, for she wasn’t his wife. Akemi got angrier because she did care for Mata-yan, who comforted her after she was raped by Yoshioka Seijuro. Mata-yan then asked Akemi to go with him to Edo; she agreed.

Upon realising that Koetsu was a sword sharpener, Musashi asked Koetsu to sharpen his sword, but the Master refused. Myoshu added that sharpening a sword takes time, it was never a simple task. Koetsu then said that a man called Sasaki Kojiro once asked him to sharpen his long sword, for he wished to kill with beauty. Koetsu also refused, for beauty and killing cannot go together. Disappointed, Musashi left Koetsu’s place. Myoshu ran to catch up with him, trying to give him a sword a samurai once left at their place. Koetsu didn’t sharpen that sword, hence Myoshu felt it okay to give Musashi the sword. Musashi said that the Yoshioka men were around and it would do Koetsu and Myoshu harm if they saw her aiding Musashi. Myoshu said that Musashi’s consideration was the exact reason for her to aid him. Further asked why she gave him the sword, she said that Musashi’s mother would’ve done the same. Live, she said, live and then someday learn to appreciate beauty.

Once again, as he wept, Musashi bowed deep in gratitude and finally accepted the katana.

Meanwhile, Osugi was driving Otsu mad with the old hag’s – I mean grandma’s – incessant criticism. Just in time, the kind Uncle Gon arrived with news that Musashi had been living in Amaradera (Amara Temple) thus far. Stunned, Otsu apologised to Osugi and dashed out like a wind.

Musashi was doing a reconnaissance visit to the pine tree at the Ichijoji Temple when Sasaki Kojiro emerged, telling him that Gion Toji had marched 80 men and 10 muskets for the fight. Toji had also assigned a child (Seijuro’s nephew) as the commander-in-chief. Without killing the child, the enemy wouldn’t be defeated, such was Toji’s strategy. Musashi was stunned to receive that information, particularly that a child would be made the commander. When Kojiro asked if Musashi could kill a child, the latter asked the former instead whether he could. Without blinking, Kojiro said yes, for he couldn't survive otherwise (right, but is surviving the only matter?). Afterwards, Kojiro left and Musashi returned to the temple.

Meanwhile at the temple, Jotaro received a very pale-looking Otsu, looking for Takezo. Suspicious that this was yet another woman pining for his shisho, Jotaro said Takezo wasn’t there. To the perplexed Otsu, Jotaro rudely asked who she was. When Otsu told the boy her name, Jotaro changed his attitude 100%. Excited, he told Otsu that his shisho had always been talking about her and always wanted to see her. To the confused Otsu, Jotaro later told her that Takezo wasn’t here because he’d change his name to Miyamoto Musashi.

At the other side of the temple, Musashi was walking into the temple when he saw Matahachi. Mata-yan asked Musashi to go to Edo with him, though he knew Takezo would rather die than being called a coward. Musashi of course refused. He said he would try to live on, until one day he found a higher meaning than his own life.

At that time, Jotaro came with the pale-faced Otsu. Trembling, he nodded slightly to acknowledge her presence. When Otsu said she’d been looking for him all these months, Takezo’s bravado crumbled. After screaming (yes, SCREAMING!) “Not now, Otsu!”, he sprinted as fast as or even faster than when he was fighting Denshichiro towards a small room in the temple yard and locked himself in. He even refused Mata-yan and Jotaro’s entry. To himself, Musashi roared that he would live on!

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