samurai hero's [Archive] - Kendo World Forums

Magnus Stern

26-05-2004, 06:37 PM

Miyamoto musashi, yagyu munenori, saigo takamori..historical characters mind you,
but I admire them more than most movie characters..
btw saigo is the guy the last samurai was based on (katsumoto) albeit roughly
If you want to find out more about Saigo Takamori, the historical background to "The Last Samurai",
I recommend this link (http://www.artelino.com/articles/saigo-takamori.asp) for further reading. N'joy.

//magnus
Bergen Kendo Klubb (http://www.kendo-bergen.com/)

Zaphiel

26-05-2004, 07:52 PM

Miyamoto musashi

like that one really.......wohhhhw

aru-ma

26-05-2004, 07:53 PM

For me it's Sakamoto Ryouma, arguably not quite the typical samurai like the previously mentioned ones but a samurai nontheless.

Migoto

27-05-2004, 12:10 AM

It would have to be Taira no Masakado.

JHusch

27-05-2004, 12:12 AM

Miyamoto musashi I liked the Samurai 1-3 movies, was a good series of movies. Also led me to read the book of 5 rings.

JByrd

27-05-2004, 01:40 AM

I remember reading a true story about a samurai named Torii. His castle was under siege and he had escaped to go for reinforcements. On his way back to the castle to inform them help was on its way, he was captured by the enemy.

The enemy samurai took Torii to the gates of the castle and told him to tell his people that the bid for help had failed, and they must surrender immediately or face annihilation.

Torii told them to hang on, help was coming. He was killed on the spot.

Cypher

27-05-2004, 02:07 AM

Having read Eiji Yosikawa's Musashi, I have to say I like Sasaki Kojiro as he is portrayed in the novel...especially his Tsubamegaeshi waza and Drying Pole ^^
He gets style points anyway...even though he is the rival of the main character.

Skolld

27-05-2004, 04:24 AM

I have to go with Yoshitsune. His historic life was incredible and the myths that grew to surround his life are great too. Plus he had a very colorful companion in the warrior-monk, Benkei.

Caleb

27-05-2004, 05:28 AM

Does samurai jack count as one- lol

Kikojyio from the seven samurai. Is he actually a samurai though- not in real life but in the movie- could he be counted as one? I guess, or else it would be called the six samurai and the madman. Regardless, hes my favorite. Not as cool as that guy that fights in waki though, but coolness doesn't "ALWAYS" dictate my favorite

GBN

27-05-2004, 08:20 AM

Kikojyio from the seven samurai. Is he actually a samurai though- not in real life but in the movie- could he be counted as one?
In the movie, Kikuchiyo is the name of a 13 year old samurai kid. The Mifune character stole the scroll to prove to the other samurai that he was a samurai. When the lead samurai figures out the age of the kid from the scroll all the samurai have a good laugh. From the movie it's obvious that Mifune's character is illiterate and not of the samurai class. He does however have some redeeming characteristics. The other samurai put up with Kikuchiyo and in the end learn to respect his unique style. BTW, his Odachi is a completely hilarious weapon, especially in his highly "rustic" fighting style.

enjoy,
Brian

Migoto

27-05-2004, 09:14 AM

I didn't say why I liked Taira-no-Masakado http://park5.wakwak.com/~semilog/japan/kanji/figure/masakado.gif So here it is.

?-903. The traitor against Kyoto government in middle 10th century. He was a lord of Kanto district, which included Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa areas, in 10th century. Though Tokyo is the capital of Japan today, in those days the capital was Kyoto, and Kanto was merely a remote frontier. He was one of the powerful leaders of the Heike , a house of bushi .
In 903, he revolted against Kyoto government. See The Revolt of Taira-no-Masakado (http://www2.kanawa.com/japan/history.html#masakado)for its detail.

Since the revolt, many legends have been told about Masakado . Because this was the first big revolt against the dynasty in Kyoto, people see Masakado as a hero to free them.
A legend says Masakado was the champion chosen by a local god. The god blessed him and showered him in a holy light so that he became invulnerable against all weapon. His olny weakness is a small spot at his temple, because the spot was in shadow when he bathed in the holy light. He was guarded by seven doubles of him. The wind always blew from his back, so his army could shot with a fair wind, and his enemy suffered from an against wind. But his lover, Kikyou-no-mae , betrayed him and told the secret to the enemy, so he was slain by an aimed arrow.
Legends also say that he was decapitated and his head were brought to Kyoto. One day his head flew back from Kyoto to Kanto . The place where the head fell is called Kubizuka (meaning ``tomb of a head''). People built a small shrine to calm the angry wraith.
The wraith of Masakado is known as the guardian of Tokyo today.The Wraith of Masakado may be a free spirit guarding Tokyo city. Or it can be even a toxic spirit. Because the capital of the Japan Imperial State is Kyoto in 2056, The Wraith of Masakado would be very angry again.

Caleb

27-05-2004, 11:53 AM

Thats why I like kikojyiou. Hes different, funny and gets the job done. He dies...But so do 4 other guys, so. I like how he acts. Hes the comic releif of the story.

Jacynth

27-05-2004, 05:51 PM

Proberly Miyamoto musashiHe's the best! :rolleyes:

SirFingerLickin

29-05-2004, 12:47 PM

Tom Cruise!

Kidding..... Uma Thurman!

Kidding again. I'm not too hip to Japanese legendary samurai. The only one I know even a remote bit about is Musashi. I've heard of my share like Yagyu Jubei and such, but thats only from anime and such which I dont know much about towards historical accuracy.

Twobitmage

29-05-2004, 01:50 PM

like that one really.......wohhhhw

eh?

do I detect a rebuke?

Masahiro

29-05-2004, 02:54 PM

Ito Ittosai. .. ...enough said yeah?

xvikingx

29-05-2004, 06:54 PM

Musashibo Benkei

not-I

29-05-2004, 10:50 PM

Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888).

Known as "ragged Tetsu," or "demon tetsu," he was not only a master swordsman who founded the Muto-ryu ("no-sword school"), but a confirmed Zen master in the Rinzai tradition, and a master and much sought-after calligrapher who never demanded money for his scrolls. In the public sphere, he negotiated with Saigo Takamori to arrage for a peaceful transfer of power from the old to new order. He was also one of Japan's all-time drinking champions.

I find him especially inspirational for today, because he lived in a transitional, modernizing era and was able to adapt with ease, while still staying true to the old ways.

John Steven's The Sword of No-Sword is a biography of his life and a fantastic read with lots of illustrations and beautiful calligraphy. I highly recommend it.

There's also this web-gloss: http://www.dallasbudokai.com/artseds/Art_tesshu.htm

Genji

31-05-2004, 10:13 AM

but what abotu hideyoshi , Nobunaga, Masamune (date), isaayu spelling? (tokugawa) , kenshin uesugi, not just swordmasters but dayamo and shogun they are also samurai when i posed this question i shoud have been more clear i mena samurai over all not just masters of the sword

shinzou

31-05-2004, 06:39 PM

I go for Musashi Miyamoto.

aru-ma

31-05-2004, 08:12 PM

For me it's Sakamoto Ryouma, arguably not quite the typical samurai like the previously mentioned ones but a samurai nontheless.

a brief info about the indispensable nobody Sakamoto ryoma (http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/horsemusket/japan/sakamoto.aspx)

Zaphiel

01-06-2004, 10:14 PM

eh?

do I detect a rebuke?what do mean by writting this?
(I'm not a native ,so what is rebuke)

Twobitmage

03-06-2004, 04:12 PM

D'Artagnan

03-06-2004, 10:05 PM

Mitsurugi from Soul Calubur!!!

nalogg

03-06-2004, 11:10 PM

JACKIE CHAN

BAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHA

(i'm just kidding by the way so don't flame)
although jackie is awesome.....

i dont know enough about history or samurai movies to make a choice

taganahan

11-06-2004, 09:40 AM

i like miyamoto musashi. eventhough he killed lots of people, he also had wisdom and also applied philosophy in his training and in his combat.

in my anime world, i like kenshin himura from rurouni kenshin. a very cool guy. also like his hitten mitsarugi style...

Kenshin Axel

24-06-2004, 08:01 PM

Hhmmmm,.....
Thats a hard one.
I would have to say Miyamoto Musashi.
I read the book by Eiji Yoshikawa, that was awesome.
But I really like Tsukahara Bukoden, he was cool.
I really find it hard for me to pick one. :beard: :old_man: :beard:

Aiko

25-06-2004, 07:58 PM

I only know comics, so I'd say Himura Kenshin from Rurouni Kenshin...I feel so well educated right now; should've payed more attention on the speechs on Ancient Japan in social studies... :silly:

emitbrownne

25-06-2004, 08:55 PM

Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888).
Although my knoweldge on the subject of Samurai is very limited, I liked how Yamaoka Tesshu was portraid in John stevens book.
Yep he gets my vote.

He was also one of Japan's all-time drinking champions.Perfect example of one who took it to the extremes. There is a humour to his character that I can empathise with, combined with a dedication that although I cannot emulate, I thoroughly respect.

Ta
Paulo

Vizz_Sage

25-06-2004, 10:12 PM

there are alot of good samurai like miya

Vizz_Sage

25-06-2004, 10:17 PM

there are alot of good samurai like miya
i mest up o no
as i was saying Miyamoto Musashi, Yukimora Sanada, kenshin (fake), and a lot of others
so i'd say MUSASHI

Vizz_Sage

25-06-2004, 10:18 PM

there are alot of good samurai like miya

Kyros Nighle

26-06-2004, 12:59 PM

miyamoto definetively

Zaphiel

20-07-2004, 12:37 AM

I guess you can say that a rebuke is a hostile comment or attitude..

I guess since english isnt your first language (?) you cant be blamed.

It's just that when a native english speaker says "wowwwww" it sometimes can be taken sarcastically (Like calling someone smart, when they did something stupid)
nope didn't mean it sarcasticly!
miyamoto musashi is my hero.........:down: want to be so cool as he was
no...want to be so samurai like!

Kiki

20-07-2004, 01:58 AM

For me it's Sakamoto Ryouma, arguably not quite the typical samurai like the previously mentioned ones but a samurai nontheless.

Absolutely, and without hesitation Sakamoto Ryouma is my first choice.

Goyaman

20-07-2004, 09:17 AM

Japanese history is filled with a lot of interesting and worthy characters, but my own vote goes for Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336).

Masashige capably served the emperor Go-Daigo in the Nambokucho wars against the Ashikaga. Advising the Emperor to allow him to carry out a guerilla campaign against the Ashikaga, he was nonethless overruled in favor of fighting a decisive battle which came at Minatogawa, where the city of Kobe is now.
Knowing that it was certain defeat, Masashige nonetheless remained loyal, leaving his death poem with his young son before leaving to face what he knew would be his last battle.

Deserted by an ally, Masashige's force was eventually surrounded by the Ashikaga, and he committed suicide before the imminent defeat.

Stephen Turnbull writes:
"He died as a true samurai, which is how he is remembered, motivated entirely by loyalty to the emperor...there is no other samural who can better represent the ideals of the warrior than Kusonoki Masashige."

NikoNakata

20-07-2004, 10:34 AM

i think that fictional characters, toranaga from the book shogun by james clavel, hes the best samurai :wink:

Cheese_Man

20-07-2004, 06:07 PM

I dunno thats a tough question I would have to say Uma Thurman or maybe Tom Cruise lol

Random

20-07-2004, 06:18 PM

Grr....I cannot remember his name for the life of me. But he used to go around fighting all the time until he got smart and decided not to anymore. But he kept getting challenged. On one occasion someone was so persistant he said that they'd go to a near-by island to fight or somethin. So they went over there and then the person left the challenger stranded on the island. >< What the heck was his name....

D'Artagnan

20-07-2004, 07:23 PM

I can't make my mind mind up between Leonardo from the ninja turtles, or the Red Power Ranger!!! urghh!!!

Random

20-07-2004, 07:53 PM

Silly, the red power ranger wasn't a samurai. That was the green one.

Nanbanjin

20-07-2004, 09:40 PM

This guy...

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showpost.php?p=52084&postcount=12

Zaphiel

29-07-2004, 06:38 PM

Silly, the red power ranger wasn't a samurai. That was the green one.
the green one are you sure...i too would say it was the red one:rambo: :D

Philippe

01-08-2004, 10:19 AM

Wolverinekenshi

02-08-2004, 07:42 AM

I would say Okita Souji of ShinsenGumi. Although not sure if he's a samurai.

Kenshin Axel

02-08-2004, 12:54 PM

　　A bit of a late reply, as I don't read these forums regularly (web fora have awkward interfaces, but I digress)

I do believe you're thinking of Tsukahara Bokuden.
Yes that was him.
He believed the best way of swordfighting was without using the sword.
Bruce Lee did something similar in Enter the Dragon.

hibakotaro

05-08-2004, 12:45 AM

My are
1.Ever lasting Miyamoto Musashi
2.The Minamoto Yoshitsune and Musashino Benkei
3.SAKAMOTO RYOMA

hibakotaro

05-08-2004, 12:52 AM

4.yAGYU Sekishusai (Munenori)
5.Yagyu jubei
6.Kamiizumi Isenokami Nobutsuna

And I like the monk Takuan,though he wasnt a samurai.

What 'bout the Shinsengumi? Say, I dont like'em much.By the Vagabond Manga I found that Sasaki Kojiro isn't a bad guy.Just like him.

Genji

05-08-2004, 12:56 AM

i think i read some where that the monk Takuan was from a samurai family

Kiso Tatsu

05-08-2004, 02:59 AM

For me is Yamamoto Kansuke one of 24 Generals of Takeda Shingen. One of the bests strategists of Edo period. :beard:

Twobitmage

05-08-2004, 09:54 AM

Philippe

05-08-2004, 08:00 PM

iirc yagyu sekishusai was munenori's uncle or father or something like that..
Sekishusai was Munenori's father. Munenori, in turn, was Jubei's father.

gsx1100s

30-08-2004, 02:26 PM

For me is Yamamoto Kansuke one of 24 Generals of Takeda Shingen. One of the bests strategists of Edo period. :beard:

Nice choice Michal , I'd put Kansuke second only to Takeda Shingen.The charge that Yamamoto did at the Uesugi troops when he thought Shingen was in peril ( battle of kawanakajima)would have been awesome to watch!
The attack of Uesugi Kenshin on takeda Shingen and Shingens defence with a war fan is to me ( if it's true) a staggering show of courage by Shingen.
Shingen also because of his ability to wage war and also his ability to govern in peace.

links:

http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/search/web/Takeda%2BShingen

Genji

31-08-2004, 02:32 AM

well takeda shingen and his generals lived not in the Edo period but in the Sangoku era... i belive

bokkenbreaker83

31-08-2004, 08:09 AM

hey guys...havent had a chance to talk a lot for a few days...i've been busy at school today was my first day at high school......i would say my fave samurai is Date Masamune

bokkenbreaker83

31-08-2004, 08:38 AM

hey guys. sry i havent talked in the past days. I havent been able to get on becaus ei have been real busy with school. I also have not been able to train in a few days. Today was my first day of school. Last week was orientation. Newayz my fave samurai would probably be Date Masamune.:D

bokkenbreaker83

31-08-2004, 10:35 AM

hey guys. I've been tied up in school l8tly(last week was orientation and today was my first day) and i havent got a chance to talk or train, newayz i would have to say my fave samurai is Date Masamune.:D

bokkenbreaker83

03-09-2004, 06:04 AM

hey guys...i havent been able to talk much...ive been busy with school....i havent had ne time to train either....but newayz my fave samurai would probably be Date Masamune.:D

gsx1100s

03-09-2004, 11:27 AM

who yould you say is your favorite samurai, and why?

not just for his or her talent with weapons but over all

genji see below,

cheers Michael

gsx1100s

03-09-2004, 11:30 AM

well takeda shingen and his generals lived not in the Edo period but in the Sangoku era... i belive
Don't quite understand , are we talking about a particular era?? I thought it was just a Samurai you admired.????

cheers Michael

bokkenbreaker83

04-09-2004, 05:39 AM

sry about all the posts......everytime i ried to post it would say the server was down so...i guess it posted all the tries that i did...lol

fe-taru tora

23-09-2004, 12:29 PM

my two favorite swordsmen would have to be Musashi and Masayoshi. the reason why I like Musashi is because he was at first he was wild but then was able to use the wildness to his advantage as far as the spirit to fight, and Masayoshi is just great !!!!

Hisham

13-10-2004, 11:17 AM

My favorite fictional samurai hero would be Ogami Itto from Kozure ookami (Lone wolf n cub) manga series.
As for a none fiction one i would go with the one that i know the most Myamoto Musashi (not the "cool" Musashi of Yoshikawa) because he was a self made man ,succeeded to make a name for himself inspite of beeing a marginal partly because of the way he looked and his pragmatism (the duel starts when the chalenge is announced) ,conquered the memory and imagination of his people after his death eventhough he wasn't as popular when alive as Sasaki Kojiro (Sasaki was so loved by people that they named the island where he died after him) and last but not least he was obviously a pure genius.
To the people who base there knowledge about Musashi s life on Eiji Yoshikawa s novel check out this website: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Courtyard/1553/fhead.html

gdane1989

16-10-2004, 02:08 PM

I only know comics, so I'd say Himura Kenshin from Rurouni Kenshin...I feel so well educated right now; should've payed more attention on the speechs on Ancient Japan in social studies... :silly:
what? No fair, all I learned in social studies is about stupid wars against britain so we can keep the land we stole in the first place. If we had ever learned about Japan I'd get A's on every test!

My favorite samurai? oohhh, whats the name of the guy that ran around in feathers and got shot? him, because he's arrogant. nah, I'll get back to this...

Kendo-Sensei

25-10-2004, 01:08 AM

I have to say either Miyamoto Musashi because he wrote The book of the Five rings and led an inspiring life or Oishi Kuranosuke because I think him and the other 46 ronin define what bushido really is.

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with one step" - Chinese Proverb

(If you don't know about Oishi Kuransuke and the other 46 ronin here's a good site to find out about them www.samurai-archives.com/ronin.html (http://www.samurai-archives.com/ronin.html))

neko kenshi

28-10-2004, 01:12 PM

I'm not sure if he was real or not, but I'd choose sekishusai (sp?) from the book musahsi by eji yoshikawa (sp?)

Twobitmage

21-11-2004, 03:21 PM

He was real but I dont think they really met

SuperkenshiLv2

02-12-2004, 03:55 PM

I like Tsukahara Takamoto aka Tsukahara Bokuden for being such a badda$$ from an early age. Also because he had the whole One Stroke Swordsmanship going on. He was a guy that had brains and used that instead of swords to win sometimes. Look him up!

Okita Maiku

10-12-2004, 06:39 PM

I admire Okita Soushi (hence my username). A brilliant swordsman and the first captain of the Shinsengumi. Unfortunately he died at a young age because of sickness.

rainmaker

11-12-2004, 04:27 AM

I think Nathan and Beatrix can kick every Samurai hero's ass...

Nathan Algren, who mastered swordmanship in 7 months, survived no name great last Japanese Samurai war. Since he is the last Samurai, I guess modern Kendo and Iaido started from Algren-san. Also knows how to pick up chics.. Usually kills husband first.

Beatrix Kiddo (Black Mamba), used to be fashon model and then become assasin. Learn from Chinese kung fu master but teach this girl one thing then she knows everything. She though kung fu sucks and falling in love with Japanese sword. Mixed Kung fu skills with Japanese Katana, now you have made great gladiator. Watch out, she can kill about 100 yakujas in 15 min which is unheard of...

Sôjirô

25-12-2004, 12:24 PM

yeh yeh! kill bill!!

me its Kenshin, Sôjirô and Shishio. they would be ustoppable if they were friends and if they were real. lol :devious:

nalogg

02-03-2005, 04:39 AM

So far my favourite is "Tesshu"http://www.traditionaloshigata.com/articles/Tesshu.htm

HAHAHAHA

Tesshu divided every day into four parts, Kendo, calligraphy, drinking and sleeping. Renowned for his drinking abilities, on one occasion whilst drinking with friends, they spoke of a horse that was so wild no-one could get a hold of it let alone ride it. Tesshu replied “An animal that man cannot control! That is ridiculous! So his friends baited him to ride it and together they went to the stable. Tesshu marched up to the wild horse, grabbed it by the tail and started yanking it hard. Tesshu’s friends all dived for cover expecting the horse to buck and kick. Then to all their surprise the horse turned quietly and obediently followed Tesshu. He explained to his friends “Animals confronted with determination greater than their own immediately submit”. However he later admitted that he had been quite drunk and had felt a bit braver than usual.

My kinda dude!