What a Friend We Have in Jizōs 23

The match was set for April 13, 1612 on a remote island in the strait separating Honshū and Kyūshū, so that none of Kojirō’s disciples could attempt to kill Musashi, were Kojirō to have lost. According to legend, Musashi arrived unkempt, and more than three hours late. His timing was deliberate, for three reasons. The first was to unnerve and taunt and goad Kojirō, by showing contempt. Kojirō shouted insults, but Musashi just smiled. Angered even further, Kojirō leapt into combat, blinded by rage. The first half of his laundry-drying pole’s Turning Swallow Cut manoeuvre came close enough to sever Musashi's traditional samurai chonmage haircut but, by then, the second reason that Musashi was late had risen into place. Kojirō was blinded by the sun, ascending into the position that Musashi had waited for. On the way over to the island, Musashi had used his time to carve a four-foot wooden sword out of one of his boat’s spare oars, with his wakizashi. Before Kojirō had finished his swallow cut, this is what almost effortlessly struck Kojirō’s skull, smashed his ribs, punctured his lungs and killed him. The duel had been that short.
Finally, Musashi had timed the hour of his arrival to match the turning tide, which he then immediately used to carry him away to safety.