Vagabond Chapter 191 Discussion

Yup. He didn't know how he killed Seijuro.

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                        What a great chapter of Musashi reflecting on his battle with Seijuro. A lot is left to the reader's interpretation and I interpret Musashi not seeing/noticing his arm and sword when he cut Seijuro down because he wasn't focusing on the leaf. "Focus on the leaf and you'll miss the tree, focus on the tree and you'll miss the entire forest". This battle has demonstrated Musashi finally being able to see everything in it's entirety, and wasn't just focused on his arm and sword and with cutting Seijuro down. This is also evident in his stance just before he cut Seijuro down, where his mouth was drooling. He was so focused in absorbing everything that he didn't even realise that he was drooling.

Can't blame Musashi for feeling the way that he does. He probably expected a guts-grinding, intense battle, but it was so incredibly one-sided that he can't help but feel unhappy. Interesting reflections.

Musashi thoughts after the battle!!!!

My interpretation of this chapter is that Musashi finally is able to see everything for what it is. Like Takuan said earlier in the story, by seeing the forest entirely you will see the leaves, etc. But him not being consciously aware of that is what's making him so pensive. Also I think the two old coots in his head have muted his fever for being excited for fighting, since he is becoming stronger and is finally starting to question the level of his strength.

Looks like Musashi is starting to see the value of human life, or something along those lines.

Again great chapter!

Musashi is struggling with this "victory". He cut him down, someone he thought would be incrediblely strong and it would be yet another duel about death, but this time he cut him down so fast he doesn't even know how it happened. He has come a step closer to becoming invincible under the sun, but it seems he has hit the point of why should he be doing it. At first cutting down men brought him a victorious feeling, but now he feels empty and maybe even regrets doing it......

Expressing his feelings/emptyness while drawing with water.....

Let's see how Musashi will coop with this mentally, because he is struggling right now.

I think we might get so see Otsu again and her confronting Musashi.....

Wow what a great chapter showing Musashi battling with his wants and desires for being invincible. I think his body has matured inherently beyond what his mind can comprehend and he is mentally scrambling for the reasons why. I feel like we go through this everyday as people sometimes and it was a good artistic representation of those inner conflicts we all have.

Musashi isn't all that happy with his victory.