Ohara, a tiny village nestled in the mountainous region of northern Okayama Prefecture, is usually pervaded by a sense of tranquillity. Its landscape is one of rice fields punctuated by gently rising hills and the infrequent sound of a passing train.
Its peaceful provincial atmosphere, though, has been somewhat disrupted by a Sunday-night NHK TV drama -- which debuted this month -- about a fascinating historical figure whose life was rooted in this region.
That figure was Miyamoto Musashi, a 17-century master swordsman who developed the style of fighting with two swords, one in each hand. Legend has it that the mighty warrior took part in more than 60 duels and he never lost.