History Literature / Musashi

* {{Bishonen}}: Sasaki Kojirō is described as boyishly handsome, with long hair and bangs.

* SimpleStaff: Gonnosuke wields one.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: And they keep running into each other. Japan must be a very small place.

* TheEpic: how the legend of Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest swordfighter ever in Japan, was forged.

* ToBeAMaster: Musashi's main motivation

* WhatTheHellHero: Several priest call out Musashi for killing Genjirō.

* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: No one really knows anything about Kojiro, except that he once fought with Musashi.

Featuring awesome swordfights, epic CharacterDevelopment, melodramatic loves, thrilling escapes, and thoughtful reflections that don't sound like they came out of a Cracker Jack box, ''Musashi'' is perhaps the quintessential samurai epic. A [[{{Doorstopper}} long]] SerialNovel written by Eiji Yoshikawa and published between 1935 and 1939, this novel follows the path of legendary {{Ronin}} UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi as he slowly transforms from violent thug to MartialPacifist using the Way of the Sword. It's had several adaptions over the years, the two most notable being the ''Samurai Trilogy'' of films starring Creator/ToshiroMifune,[[note]]''Film/SamuraiIMusashiMiyamoto'', ''Film/SamuraiIIDuelAtIchijojiTemple'' and ''Film/SamuraiIII:DuelAtGanryuIsland''[[/note]] and the manga ''Manga/{{Vagabond}}'' by Takehiko Inoue.

Featuring awesome swordfights, epic CharacterDevelopment, melodramatic loves, thrilling escapes, and thoughtful reflections that don't sound like they came out of a Cracker Jack box, ''Musashi'' is perhaps the quintessential samurai epic. A [[{{Doorstopper}} long]] SerialNovel written by Eiji Yoshikawa and published between 1935 and 1939, this novel follows the path of legendary {{Ronin}} UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi as he slowly transforms from violent thug to MartialPacifist using the Way of the Sword. It's had several adaptions over the years, the two most notable being the ''Samurai Trilogy'' of films starring Creator/ToshiroMifune,[[note]]''Film/SamuraiIMusashiMiyamoto'', ''Film/SamuraiIIDuelAtIchijojiTemple'' and ''Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island''[[/note]] and the manga ''Manga/{{Vagabond}}'' by Takehiko Inoue.

The story of Musashi's quest to become the greatest swordsman of all time begins, ironically, with him lying among the wounded after the Battle of Sekigahara, which historically marks [[EndOfAnAge the beginning of the end for the era of great wars and honorable single combat among Samurai.]] Musashi, at this time named Takezo, and his childhood friend, Matahachi, with their dreams of military glory crushed, start on the business of evading search parties and trying to make it back to their home village of Miyamoto. Unfortunately, Matahachi falls in with bad company and ditches Takezo. Takezo, now pettily seeing himself as being at war against all mankind, goes on violent rampage in Miyamoto. Luckily for him, when he's eventually captured, its not by the superior numbers of the law, but through the keen insight of Zen monk Takuan Soho.

Takuan, seeing something in Takezo worth saving, finagles him out of a certain death sentence and inspires him to make something of himself. After locking him in a room with a bunch of books for a couple years, Takezo, now named Musashi, sets off into the world to seek mastery of the sword. However, the bullheaded matriarch of Matahachi's family, Osugi, simply will not accept that her son's disappearance is not Musashi's fault and pursues him with the intent of killing him and restoring her family's honor. Also chasing him is the virtuous and pure Otsu, who pines for him and whom he must reluctantly deny if he is to continue his path. On his journey, he also runs into Matahachi, now a pathetic ne'er-do-well; Jotaro and Iori, kids who become his apprentices; and Akemi who, after getting out from under the thumb of her [[AbusiveParents vile mother]], rounds out Musashi's love triangle due to the fact that he's one few people she's met in her life who hasn't abused her in some way.

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The novel plays this trope quite a lot, but one of the most egregious is [[spoiler: at the very end. During the final duel between Musashi and Kojiro it's implied that Kojiro survived, whereas in history he did not.]]

* ArmorPiercingQuestion: When Takuan asks Takezo what he's going to do about his sister, who is locked away at Hinagura, Takezo bursts into tears, admitting that he doesn't know.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Kojiro, in spades. He's a boastful, condescending snob and a self-proclaimed genius. Unfortunately for his opponents, he's [[MasterSwordsman not wrong]].

* BigBad: [[TheDandy Sasaki]] [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Kojiro]] becomes this in the latter half of the novel, helping to mastermind the Yoshioka school and Osugi's schemes against Musashi. He also convinces Matahachi to once again [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor turn against Musashi, just after the two have reconciled]]. Finally, the two settle their old score in the famous duel on the beaches of Ganryū Island.
* {{Bishonen}}: Sasaki Kojiro is described as boyishly handsome, with long hair and bangs.
* BloodKnight: Musashi and Kojiro have shades of this, but Musashi is mainly focused on becoming a master while Kojiro will often pick a fight for self-aggrandizement or because he gets a sadistic pleasure from winning.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: To a 21st-century modern reader, the world that Yoshikawa immerses them in may seem to run on this. Two of the main points for this is the casual way people deal out violence and the institutionalized sexism which every character has internalized in some way. When [[spoiler: Seijuro]] rapes [[spoiler: Akemi]], it's presented as a distastful lapse on his part but not as the MoralEventHorizon that it would be today. [[spoiler: Akemi]] even reflects that he wasn't that horrible a man after Musashi defeats him.
** Musashi is this to all the other samurai. When he is barred from meeting (and challenging) a great sword master, Musashi promptly declares a battle between himself and the castle the master resides in. This strikes the guards as being melodramatic bordering on laughable, but this is the way Musashi looks at it. He's not looking for a mere contest of technique; he trying to test himself with fights where the fighters use all their spirit and all their ability to try and defeat the other. Whether or not they are two generals or two samurai is irrelevant. The prime example of this is when he "battles" the Yoshioka School. After defeating Seijuro and Denishiro, the leadership of the school transfers by hereditary succession to twelve-year-old Genjiro. Musashi is challenged to fight the child, assisted by retainers. In reality, the entire school is going to be there. Musashi stealthily slips past the outlying members until he is within range, whereupon he jumps out, declares the fight started, and, ignoring most of the retainers, slashes his way toward the terrified child and kills him. This act, which could have no effect on the outcome of the fight, shocks and outrages the Yoshiokas and [[EvenEvilHasStandards Kojiro]]. Admittedly, killing Genjiro is a strain on Musashi's way of thinking, with the act still bothering him no matter how many times he reminds himself that he was "justified".
** However, Musashi tries not to pick fights where the enemy is weaker than him. When he fought Seijuro, he knew from a glance that he couldn't lose. Realizing that even Seijuro knew, on some level, that he didn't have a chance, Musashi tried to think of a way to call the whole thing off but realized that he couldn't decently do so.
* CelibateHero: Musashi, who doesn't enter a relationship (mentioned in the books) until the end, when he finally gives in to [[DoggedNiceGuy dogged nice girl]] Otsu.

** It's not just Musashi, either. Matahachi, Osugi, Akemi, and even Kojiro all manage to become somewhat more respectable people by the end of the novel.

* TheDandy: [[BigBad Kojiro]] is always dressed in flashy, elegant clothing that makes him look "like a ''kabuki'' player", as Jotaro puts it. This is in contrast with the scruffy, unkempt Musashi.
* DeadPersonImpersonation: Matahachi tries to find that elusive "starting position from which I can become successful" by impersonating Kojiro, whom he thinks is dead. He's not.
* DefiledForever: With Akemi, the novel goes to great lengths to show that no, non-virtuous girls (even if they aren't really responsible for their lot in the first place) don't deserve a good life. Also played with with notorious whoremongering Matahachi, who ends up with said [[ReallyGetsAround defiled]] Akemi, while [[CelibateHero Musashi]] gets [[IncorruptiblePurePureness virtuous]] Otsu.

-->'''''On Musashi's upcoming duel with Kojiro:'''''
-->'''''Koetsu:''''' It'll be a test of strength between a man who's a genius, but really somewhat conceited, and an ordinary man who's polished his talents to the utmost, won't it?

-->'''''Koetsu:''''' But he is. That's what's extraordinary about him. He's not content with relying on whatever natural gifts he may have. Knowing he's ordinary, he's always trying to improve himself. No one appreciates the agonizing effort he's had to make. Now that his years of training have yielded such spectacular results, everybody's talking about his 'god-given talent.' That's how men who don't try very hard comfort themselves.
* DiabolusExMachina: After the duel at Ichi-joji, Musashi and Matahachi meet up and reconcile, with Matahachi appearing to realize how foolish he's been throughout the novel. They separate, and [[SpannerInTheWorks Kojiro suddenly comes out of nowhere]], lures Matahachi into a brothel, and convinces him to turn against Musashi.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Kojiro is genuinely disgusted by Musashi's [[spoiler: killing of Yoshioka Genjiro, who was only a child at the time]]. He further criticizes Musashi for challenging the Yoshiokas at all, feeling that it was unfair for Musashi to duel men he so clearly outmatched.
* {{Foil}}: Kojiro, to Musashi. Musashi is a ragged, unkempt country boy who spends most of his time as a vagrant, but is a deeply stoic and spiritual man who is devoted to improving himself in all possible ways. Kojiro is a well-dressed, silver-tongued fop who is at heart a cruel, arrogant sadist. Both men are fearless master swordsmen, but commit terrible acts--[[spoiler:Kojiro [[RapeAsDrama rapes and tortures Akemi]], and Musashi [[WouldHurtAChild kills twelve year-old Yoshioka Genjiro]] to win the Duel at Ichi-joji]]--as well as heroic ones: Musashi rescues a village from bandits, while Kojiro saves Matahachi and Osugi from the samurai of the Ono school. By the end of the novel, both men have managed to [[TookALevelInKindness straighten themselves out]] somewhat, but in different ways. Musashi seeks out and eventually achieves spiritual insight and enlightenment. Kojiro, meanwhile, gains a position as the Hosokawa Clan's sword instructor that requires him to act in a dignified manner, which eventually [[BecomingTheMask becomes more natural to him.]]

* HopeSpot: Musashi reunites with Jotaro and Otsu, allowing the former to resume his training and giving the latter a chance to talk him into being with her. Otsu convinces him that she wouldn't interfere with his training, and Musashi agrees to have a relationship. On top of that, Matahachi meets up with Musashi and is persuaded by him to become a scholar and turn his life around. Of course, it all goes straight to hell.
* HystericalWoman: While Seijuro and Musashi fight, [[spoiler: Kojiro]] attempts to provoke a fight with some Yoshioka swordsmen. Akemi comes out of nowhere and starts shrieking to everyone that he raped her. The whole thing is so random that the swordsmen think Akemi is this.

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Baiken's chain and sickle. Musashi had heard of the weapon, and seeked out Baiken to learn more about it. Although Baiken's wife showed him a stance during their first meeting, Musashi never saw the weapon in action until he fought Baiken.
* ImStandingRightHere: After Musashi's last fight with the Yoshiokas, Kojiro denounces him to a crowd of people. He accuses Musashi of depravity for killing Genjiro and of cowardice for running away. Sure, Musashi was able fend off and kill dozens of Yoshioka swordsman while escaping, Kojiro says to the crowd, but a ''real'' swordsman can fight several times his own number, especially when they are as weak as the Yoshioka School. After he finishes making his speech, noted to be a slight exaggeration of what he sincerely believes, he makes to leave and is chilled to notice Musashi smiling at him. Musashi kindly thanks him for his critique and tells him that he won't forget his words. Kojiro, catching the drift, politely tells Musashi that he wouldn't want him to.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: Otsu, big time.
* JidaiGeki: Specifically, the story takes place during the early years of the Edo Period of Japanese history, actually beginning with the aftermath of the Battle of Sekigahara, which marked the tilting of the balance of power in the favor of the Tokugawas. It also takes place before the siege of Osaka Castle, which was essentially the death knell for the Toytomis. In fact the conflict leading up to that final battle runs through some of the subplots in this story (with Matahachi and Jotaro actually getting swept up in an attempt to assassinate Tokugawa Hidetada). In fact, much of the book's focus is on the transitional nature of the role of the samurai in this particular period, with the end of the Sengoku era meaning that the demand for numerous warriors to serve as soldiers for the many daimyos vying for control has dwindled. As a result, much of the story's focus is on the characters, including Musashi, trying to find new ways to employ the Way of the Sword for different purposes. In particular, Musashi is said to pursue the Way of the Sword as the Way of Governance.

* NearRapeExperience: [[spoiler: Yoshino was right. Musashi's long buried feelings toward Otsu suddenly overwhelm him, and he grabs her. He comes back to himself when Otsu resists, and realizes how far he still has to go. Musashi, being Musashi, jumps into a waterfall hoping to regain his discipline. Otsu, being Otsu, forgives him. The scene, in the movie, marks Musashi's transformation from ArrogantKungFuGuy to MartialPacifist.]]

* SingleStrokeBattle: Most people only get hit once. As far as major fights go, the only one where both sides only take one swing at each other is the fight between [[spoiler:Musashi and Seijuro.]]

** The two years or so of story up to the Yoshioka duel at Ichioji moves at a solid pace, after which the time-skips get more and more frequent. Several years pass without much happening in the last quarter of the book. (This is perhaps due to the condensed nature of the English translation.)

* VillainousValor: He may be an arrogant, manipulative sadist, but Sasaki Kojiro is a truly skilled and fearless MasterSwordsman. Musashi even notes that Kojiro alone is a more dangerous opponent than the entire Yoshioka school.

* WhatTheHellHero: Several priest call out Musashi for killing Genjiro.

* YamatoNadeshiko: Otsu; Patient, devoted, not a push over and, of course, Japanese.

* StockCharacter: Despite his uncanny psychological insight, Yoshikawa's characters are mostly fleshed-out Japanese archtypes.

* BasedOnATrueStory: Straddles the line between this and VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory. Takezo did fight at Sekigahara, did change his name to Musashi and did fight a lot of the people he did in this book. However, the specifics of each fight are murky and there's no evidence of him being mentored by Takuan or adopting Jotaro, although he did adopt an Iori after the events of the book.

** Musashi is this to all the other samurai. When he is barred from meeting (and challenging) a great sword master, Musashi promptly declares a battle between himself and the castle the master resides in. This strikes the guards as being melodramatic bordering on laughable, but this is the way Musashi looks at it. He's not looking for a mere contest of technique; he trying to test himself with fights where the fighters use all their spirit and all their ability to try and defeat the other. Whether or not they are two generals or two samurai is irrelevant. The prime example of this is when he "battles" the Yoshioka School. After defeating Seijuro and Denishiro, the leadership of the school transfers by hereditary succession to twelve-year-old Genjiro. Musashi is challenged to fight the child, assisted by retainers. In reality, the entire school is going to be there. Musashi stealthily slips past the outlying members until he is within range, whereupon he jumps out, declares the fight started, and, ignoring most of the retainers, slashes his way toward the terrified child and kills him. This act, which could have no effect on the outcome of the fight, shocks and outrages the Yoshiokas and [[EvenEvilHasStandards Kojiro]]. Admittedly, killing Genjiro is a strain on Musashi's way of thinking, with the act still bothering him no matter how many times reminds himself that he was "justifed".

* JidaiGeki: Specifically, the story takes place during the early years of the Edo Period of Japanese history, actually beginning with the aftermath of the Battle of Sekigahara, which marked the tilting of the balance of power in the favor of the Tokugawas. It also takes place before the siege of Osaka Castle, which was essentially the death knell for the Toytomis. In fact the conflict leading up to that final battle runs through some of the subplots in this story (with Matahachi actually getting swept up in an attempt to assassinate Tokugawa Hidetada). In fact, much of the book's focus is on the transitional nature of the role of the samurai in this particular period, with the end of the Sengoku era meaning that the demand for numerous warriors to serve as soldiers for the many daimyos vying for control has dwindled. As a result, much of the story's focus is on the characters, including Musashi, trying to find new ways to employ the Way of the Sword for different purposes. In particular, Musashi is said to pursue the Way of the Sword as the Way of Governance.

* TheDandy: [[BigBad Kojiro]] is always dressed in flashy, elegant clothing that makes him look like a ''kabuki'' player, as Jotaro puts it. This is in contrast with the scruffy, unkempt Musashi.

* Bishonen: Sasaki Kojiro is described as boyishly handsome, with long hair and bangs.

* BigBad: Kojiro becomes this in the latter half of the novel, helping to mastermind the Yoshioka school and Osugi's schemes against Musashi. He also convinces Matahachi to once again turn against Musashi, just after the two have reconciled. Finally, the two settle their old score in the famous duel on the beaches of Ganryū Island.

Featuring awesome swordfights, epic CharacterDevelopment, melodramatic loves, thrilling escapes, and thoughtful reflections that don't sound like they came out of a Cracker Jack box, ''Musashi'' is perhaps the quintessential samurai epic. A [[{{Doorstopper}} long]] SerialNovel written by Eiji Yoshikawa and published between 1935 and 1939, this novel follows the path of legendary {{Ronin}} UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi as he slowly transforms from violent thug to MartialPacifist using the Way of the Sword. It's had several adaptions over the years, the two most notable being the ''Samurai Trilogy'' of films starring Creator/ToshiroMifune,[[note]]''Film/SamuraiIMusashiMiyamoto'', ''Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple'' and ''Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island''[[/note]] and the manga ''Manga/{{Vagabond}}'' by Takehiko Inoue.

* DiabolusExMachina: After the duel at Ichi-joji, Musashi and Matahachi meet up and reconcile, with Matahachi appearing to realize how foolish he's been throughout the novel. They separate, and [[AssPull Kojiro suddenly comes out of nowhere]], lures Matahachi into a brothel, and convinces him to turn against Musashi.

And even without them, his path is strewn with obstacles. His opponents range from the amiable staff-fighter Gonnosuke to the decadent but still competent Yoshioka School to the vicious chain-and-sickle master Shishido Baiken. But his growing fame is matched by that of Sasaki Kojiro, an amazing but spiritually-stunted prodigy. A rivalry develops between them which they both know must be settled, sooner or later...

-->'''''On an upcoming duel involving Musashi'''''

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Kojiro is genuinely disgusted by Musashi's [[spoiler: killing of Yoshioka Genjiro, who was only a child at the time]]. He further criticizes Musashi for challenging the Yoshiokas at all, feeling that it was unfair for Musashi to duel with men who he so clearly outmatched.

* {{Foil}}: Kojiro, to Musashi. Musashi is a ragged, unkempt country boy who spends most of his time as a vagrant, but is a deeply stoic and spiritual man who is devoted to improving himself in all possible ways. Kojiro is a well-dressed, silver-tongued fop who is at heart a cruel, arrogant sadist. Both men are fearless master swordsmen, but commit terrible acts--[[spoiler:Kojiro [[RapeAsDrama rapes and tortures Akemi]], and Musashi [[WouldHurtAChild kills twelve year-old Yoshioka Genjiro]] to win the Duel at Ichi-joji]]--as well as heroic ones: Musashi rescues a village from bandits, while Kojiro saves Matahachi and Osugi from the samurai of the Ono school. By the end of the novel, both men have managed to [[TookALevelInKindness straighten themselves out]], but in different ways. Musashi seeks out and eventually achieves spiritual insight and enlightenment. Kojiro, meanwhile, gains a position as the Hosokawa Clan's sword instructor that requires him to act in a dignified manner, which eventually [[BecomingTheMask becomes more natural to him.]]

* {{Foil}}: Kojiro, to Musashi. Musashi is a ragged, unkempt country boy who spends most of his time as a vagrant, but is a deeply stoic and spiritual man who is devoted to improving himself in all possible ways. Kojiro is a well-dressed, silver-tongued fop who is at heart a cruel, arrogant sadist. Both men are fearless master swordsmen, but commit terrible acts--[[spoiler:Kojiro [[RapeAsDrama rapes and tortures Akemi]], and Musashi [[WouldHurtAChild kills twelve year-old Yoshioka Genjiro]] to win the Duel at Ichi-joji]]--as well as heroic ones: Musashi rescues a village from bandits, while Kojiro saves Matahachi and Osugi from the samurai of the Ono school. By the end of the novel, both men have managed to TakeALevelInKindness, but in different ways. Musashi seeks out and eventually achieves spiritual insight and enlightenment. Kojiro, meanwhile, gains a position as the Hosokawa Clan's sword instructor that requires him to act in a dignified manner, which eventually [[BecomingTheMask becomes more natural to him.]]

* {{Foil}}: Kojiro, to Musashi. Musashi is a ragged, unkempt country boy who spends most of his time as a vagrant, but is a deeply stoic and spiritual man who is devoted to improving himself in all possible ways. Kojiro is a well-dressed, silver-tongued fop who is at heart a cruel, arrogant sadist. Both men are fearless master swordsmen, but commit terrible acts--[[spoiler:Kojiro [[RapeAsDrama rapes and tortures Akemi]], and Musashi [[WouldHurtAChild kills twelve year-old Yoshioka Genjiro]] to win the Duel at Ichi-joji]]--as well as heroic ones: Musashi rescues a village from bandits, while Kojiro saves Matahachi and Osugi from the samurai of the Ono school. By the end of the novel, both men have managed to improve their conduct somewhat--Musashi through spiritual insight, and Kojiro through gaining a respectable position as the Hosokawa Clan's sword instructor that requires him to act in a dignified manner, which eventually [[BecomingTheMask becomes more natural to him.]]

* {{Foil}}: Kojiro, to Musashi. Musashi is a ragged, unkempt country boy who spends most of his time as a vagrant, but is a deeply stoic and spiritual man who is devoted to improving himself in all possible ways. Kojiro is a well-dressed, silver-tongued fop who is at heart a cruel, arrogant sadist. Both men are fearless master swordsmen, but commit terrible acts--[[spoiler: Kojiro [[RapeAsDrama rapes and tortures Akemi]], and Musashi [[WouldHurtAChild kills twelve year-old Yoshioka Genjiro]] to win the Duel at Ichi-joji]]--as well as heroic ones: Musashi rescues a village from bandits, while Kojiro saves Matahachi and Osugi from the samurai of the Ono school. By the end of the novel, both men have managed to improve their conduct somewhat--Musashi through spiritual insight, and Kojiro through gaining a respectable position as the Hosokawa Clan's sword instructor that requires him to act in a dignified manner, which eventually [[BecomingTheMask becomes more natural to him.]]

* {{Foil}}: Kojiro, to Musashi. Musashi is a ragged, unkempt country boy who spends most of his time as a vagrant, but is a deeply stoic and spiritual man who is devoted to improving himself in all possible ways. Kojiro is a well-dressed, silver-tongued fop who is at heart a cruel, arrogant sadist. Both men are fearless master swordsmen, but commit terrible acts--Kojiro [[RapeAsDrama rapes and tortures Akemi]], and Musashi [[WouldHurtAChild kills twelve year-old Yoshioka Genjiro]] to win the Duel at Ichi-joji--as well as heroic ones: Musashi rescues a village from bandits, while Kojiro saves Matahachi and Osugi from the samurai of the Ono school. By the end of the novel, both men have managed to improve their conduct somewhat--Musashi through spiritual insight, and Kojiro through gaining a respectable position as the Hosokawa Clan's sword instructor that requires him to act in a dignified manner, which eventually [[BecomingTheMask becomes more natural to him.]]

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: And they keep running into each other.

* [[SeanConneryIsAboutToShootYou Musashi Is Duel Wielding At You]] : One of the more popular covers.

* ToBeAMaster:

* {{Foil}}: Kojiro, to Musashi. Musashi is a ragged, unkempt country boy who spends most of his time as a vagrant, but is a deeply stoic and spiritual man who is devoted to improving himself in all possible ways. Kojiro is a well-dressed, silver-tongued fop who is at heart a cruel, arrogant sadist. Both men are fearless master swordsmen, but commit terrible acts--Kojiro [[RapeAsDrama rapes and tortures Akemi]], and Musashi [[WouldHurtAChild kills twelve year-old Yoshioka Genjiro]] to win the Duel at Ichi-joji--as well as heroic ones--Musashi rescues a village from bandits, while Kojiro saves Matahachi and later Osugi from the samurai of the Ono school. By the end of the novel, both men have managed to improve their conduct somewhat--Musashi through spiritual insight, and Kojiro through gaining a respectable position as the Hosokawa Clan's sword instructor that requires him to act in a dignified manner, which eventually [[BecomingTheMask becomes more natural to him.]]