Campbell and Mushashi Hero

Campbell defines a heroes journey by his personal changes and growth. He believes a hero is defined by their own self-realization and their development. The Mushashi hero archetype is much more complex. His definition of a hero is the strength of his strategy and skill. Kambei is the perfect example of a Mushashi hero. He is the samurai who uses his strategy in order to destroy and defeat the bandits. He remained calm and ready for his battle, as well as exemplifying integrity and selflessness. Kikuchiyo is the best example of the Campbell hero. He, at first, is an out of control, immature jokester, but he makes the traditional Campbell’s hero journey and becomes a legitimate samurai.
Kikuchiyo makes an amazing transformation from unimportant peasant to a heroic warrior. He is known as a jokester because of his crazy ambitions and his undesirable oversized sword. one of the first moments that set him on his heroes journey was an incident that was much like his own upbringing. A mother who died protecting her son, but leaving him orphaned. His next trial, and the mistakes he made, end up with the death of a samurai, Gorobei. He was attempting to steal a musket from the bandits, but his doing so made the bandits attack. Kikuchiyo has left his post unguarded, and the results were fatal. The final event of his heroes journey also was the end of his life. he died an honorable and heroic death, proving he had become a true hero. Despite being shot, Kikuchiyo used his last living moments to kill the bandit with the last musket, in order to make sure no one else would suffer his own fate. Kikuchiyo went through a dramatic change in character, which resulted in his becoming of a hero in the end of his life.
Kambei was a much different hero than Kikuchiyo. There is a reason Kambei is the leader of the seven samurai. When Kambei is first introduced to the village of peasants he does something unthinkable. He cuts off his topknot, a symbol of greatness for any samurai, in order to pose as a monk and save a child from a thief. Kambei displays Mushashi’s heroes qualities through his modesty and his strategic plans for defeating the bandits. One thing that showed how clever he was, was that he kept track of how many bandits were left to kill. No matter what obstacles he is faced with, Kambei always remains calm and anticipates and prepares for what will come next, which greatly resembles Mushashi’s teachings.
I think the modern American audience, especially young adults, would find Kikuchiyo to be the most interesting and relatable hero for several reasons. At first, they might relate to his humorous manner. He is relatable because he is more interested in the final outcome, rather than preparing for the battle ahead. I think young adults can relate to his process of transforming into a hero, it is similar to growing up and adapting to adult life. I think his heroic death is more interesting to an American audience. He finally completes his heroes journey. For a young audience, Kambei might be too calm and collected.
Mushashi and Campbell have extremely different ideas of a true hero. Mushashi highlights the importance for patience, strategy, and mental awareness. Campbell is more focused on the physical and emotionally journey a hero must complete. I think it will remain true that the American audience will always cherish the physical and emotional aspects of a heroes journey.