Miyamoto Mikinosuke

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Miyamoto Mikinosuke (????-1626) a retainer of the Japanese clan of Honda during the Edo period (17th century) of Japan. Mikinosuke was famous for being the first of three adopted sons of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. One day Miyamoto Musashi had been traveling on horseback along the Settsu road. At a certain inn at Nishinomiya, Musashi had seen a boy of fourteen or fifteen who had took Musashi's horse for him. Musashi had perceived extraordinary qualities from this boy --Mikinosuke. Musashi then asked the boy, "Wouldn't you like to become my son? I would find a good lord for you.". Mikinosuke replied, "You are very kind to make such an offer, but I have old parents. The reason I am working as a hostler is to take care of them. If I became you adoptive son, my parents would immediately fall on hard times. I must therefore tell you no, with my thanks.". Musashi had then gone to Mikinosuke's house and met his parents. Musashi then had explained his plans to them, receiving their consent to adopt him. He then took Mikonosuke with him after giving a small sum or supportive money to his parents.

Musashi had then educated Mikinosuke for some time, in which he had then presented Mikonosuke to Lord Taiyu (Honda Tadatoki), the lord over the Himeji castle within Banshu, who had thought very highly of Mikonosuke, in which is where he attained the name "Mikinosuke". For unknown reasons later on, Mikinosuke had taken leave of Lord Taiyu, in which he had headed to Edo. Unfortunately however, Taiya had died shortly after. Musashi, saddened over this, concluded that Mikinosuke would most surely come back for a farewell feast with Musashi within the next few days. After a few days had passed, Mikinosuke had come, in which he was very happy and took great pleasure within this farwell feast. After some time with Musashi at the feast, Mikinosuke picked up a glass of sake, saying, "I drink this glass to bid you farewell.". After saying goodbye to his adoptive father with tears, he returned to Edo to follow his lord in death.