Tadashima Akiyama, also called Akiyama of Tajima (但馬国秋山, Tajima-no-kuni Akiyama, fl. 16th century), was a Japanese samurai of the Azuchi–Momoyama period who hailed from Tajima Province. A rather unknown figure, he is largely remembered for his defeat at the hands of the young Miyamoto Musashi, who was sixteen at the time. It has been concluded that Akiyama openly challenged Musashi.

Musashi wrote in The Book of Five Rings: "When I was sixteen I struck down an able strategist Tadashima Akiyama".

References

• Toyota Masataka. "Niten Ki (A Chronicle of Two Heavens)," in Gorin no Sho, edited by Kamiko Tadashi. Tokyo: Tokuma-shoten, 1963.

Further reading

• De Lange, William (2014). Miyamoto Musashi: A Life in Arms. Floating World Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-629.
• De Lange, William (2010). The Real Musashi: The Bushu denraiki. Floating World Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-56-8.
• De Lange, William (2011). The Real Musashi: The Bukoden. Floating World Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-60-5.
• De Lange, William (2016). The Real Musashi: A Miscellany. Floating World Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-86-5.
• Moore, JS (2014). Under the Sun: The Miyamoto Musashi Story. Understanding Apples Press. ISBN 978-1-5028-0491-4.
• Tokitsu, Kenji (2004). Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings. Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN 978-1-59030-045-9.