Musashi was born Shinmen Takezo in Harima Province in 1584, the Year of the Monkey.
Musashi was raised by his uncle when he was seven years old in Shoreian Buddhist Temple. There he was educated in Buddhism and was taught basic writing and reading skills
This is also where he picked up how to handle a sword for the very first time.
He then traveled to Yoshioka ryu school and learn to master more than nine different weapons. He then wandered around and dueled several swordsmen and never lost. His first duel was at the age of 13. This hardened him for the rest of his life as he had to continuous fight challengers and seek out stronger and stronger opponents.
At the age of 28, Musashi had his most famous duel with Sasaki Kojiro, who was a prominent Japanese swordsman. They were long time rivals. There are several accounts of the duel, most of which vary in the details, but of the result which was the death of Kojiro. This is how most stories go: Musashi was very several hours late to the duel, angering Sasaki. In blind rage, Sasaki insulted him, but Musashi merely smiled. This furthered enraged Sasaki, so he attacked suddenly and without thought. Musashi took this opportunity to counter attack by striking him over the head with a 90 centimeter long weapon
Soon afterwards Musashi had to quickly get away, as the angry supporters of Sasaki were chasing after him.
Miyamoto is said to have died quietly in a caved around May 19th, 1645, not from battle but from thoracic cancer