Miyamoto Musashi (Gong Ben  Wu Zang , c. 1584 - June 13, 1645), also known as Shinmen Takezo, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Doraku, was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, writer and ronin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent and unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 61 duels (next is 33 by Ito Ittosai).
Philosophy
In Musashi's last book, The Book of Five Rings (Wu Lun Shu , Go Rin no Sho), Musashi seems to take a very philosophical approach to looking at the "craft of war": "There are five ways in which men pass through life: as gentlemen, warriors, farmers, artisans and merchants."  Throughout the book, Musashi implies that the way of the Warrior, as well as the meaning of a "true strategist" is that of somebody who has made mastery of many art forms away from that of the sword, such as tea drinking (sado), laboring, writing, and painting, as Musashi practiced throughout his life. Musashi was hailed as an extraordinary sumi-e artist in the use of ink monochrome as depicted in two such paintings: "Shrike Perched in a Dead Tree" (Koboku Meigekizu, Ku Mu Ming Ju Tu ) and "Wild Geese Among Reeds" (Rozanzu, Lu Shan Tu ). Going back to the Book of Five Rings, Musashi talks deeply about the ways of Buddhism.  He makes particular note of artisans and foremen. When he wrote the book, the majority of houses in Japan were made of wood. In the use of building a house, foremen have to employ strategy based upon the skill and ability of their workers.  In comparison to warriors and soldiers, Musashi notes the ways in which the artisans thrive through events; the ruin of houses, the splendor of houses, the style of the house, the tradition and name or origins of a house. These too, are similar to the events which are seen to have warriors and soldiers thrive; the rise and fall of prefectures, countries and other such events are what make uses for warriors, as well as the literal comparisons: "The carpenter uses a master plan of the building, and the way of strategy is similar in that there is a plan of campaign".

Q: What was the basis of his philosophy?
A: ": "There are five ways in which men pass through life: as gentlemen, warriors, farmers, artisans and merchants."

Q: What was considered being a gentleman?
A: unknown
Did anyone help shape his philosophy?
unknown
unknown