V tejto práci sa zaoberám životom a dielom jedného z najväčších majstrov meča japonskej histórie, Mijamota Musašiho. Opisujem v nej politické a sociálne pozadie doby, v ktorej Musaši žil a aký vplyv na neho toto prostredie malo. Následne sa zameriavam na jeho osobný život a bojové skúsenosti. Obsah tejto práce tvorí aj rozbor Musašiho diela Kniha piatich kruhov, z ktorého sa dozvedáme o jeho vojnovej stratégii a technikách boja mečom. Na záver sa práca zaoberá vplyvom Musašiho filozofie na samurajskú triedu v historickom období, rovnako ako aj na moderný život súčasných Japoncov.The purpose of this thesis is to analyse life and writings of Miyamoto Musashi, who is considered to be one of the greatest swordsmen of the Japanese history. In the first part of the thesis I describe politicial and social situation of the times in which Musashi lived and explain how this background had influeneced him. Next, I focuse on Musashi´s experience in the field of martial arts and on his personal life. Another part of this thesis is an analysis of Musashi´s work The Book of Five Rings, from which we get to know about his combat strategy and fencing techniques. Finally I describe how Musashi´s philosophy had influenced the samurai class in the past, as well as the modern life of contemporary Japanese.