Kirigakure Saizo
Encyclopedia
was a legendary ninja
of the final phase of the Japanese civil war
. In the folklore
he is one of the Sanada Ten Braves
, and next to Sarutobi Sasuke
, he is the most recognized of the Ten.
As in the case of Sasuke, Saizō might be a fictional creation of the Meiji era popular literature, probably based on Kirigakure Shikaemon, although some argue for his factual existence. According to the historian Stephen Turnbull
and non-fiction writer Joel Levy, there is a historical record of a failed assassination attempt by a ninja called Kirigakure Saizō, sent by the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu
to kill his rival Toyotomi Hideyoshi
(Tokichiro Kinoshita). According to another version of this incident, presented by the martial artist and researcher Donn F. Draeger
, the "careless ninja" Saizō was captured while only spying on Hideyoshi, which actually saved the life of the warlord because he was about to be killed by a double agent, Yusuke Takiguchi; Saizō's life was then spared on the condition of declaring loyalty to the Toyotomi clan
.
Saizō is said to be a master of Iga
ninjutsu
. Sarutobi Sasuke, a Kōga
ninja, is thus often portrayed as Saizō's arch-rival, and after they both converted to Sanada's cause, best friends and partners. The name Kirigakure literally means "Hidden Mist", as such Saizō is often associated with fog and, by extension, illusion magic. In contrast to Sasuke, who is often rendered with an almost feral child
appearance, Saizō usually appears as a calm, elegant, mature, handsome and sometimes feminine young man. The martial artist and author Stephen K. Hayes
compared the portrayal of Saizō in the Japanese children books to this of another ninja "romantic figure" of the bandit hero Goemon Ishikawa.
, Saizo is a fanatical loyalist of Sanada Yukimura
. In the film Goemon
, Kirigakure Saizō was portrayed by Takao Osawa
(and Takeru Satoh
in the role of young Saizō). He also appears in the film Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!
and the manga series BRAVE10, and is the titular subject of the fourth and the seventh films in the Shinobi no Mono series (Shinobi no Mono: Zoku Kirigakure Saizo and Shinobi No Mono: Shin Kirigakure Saizo), as well as a player character
in the video game Onimusha Tactics
.
There are also several more or less indirect connections. In the Super Sentai
series Ninja Sentai Kakuranger
, one of the main characters, Saizou, played by Hiroshi Tsuchida
, is a modern descendant of Saizō. In a highly unusual portrayal in the video game Kessen
, Saizo is one the trio of Yukimura's female ninja
bodyguards. The modern ninja named Saizo are also player characters in the video game series Power Instinct
(Saizo Hattori
) and Breakers Revenge (Tobikageno Saizō), while the titular character in the manga and anime series Igano Kabamaru was raised and trained by his grandfather Saizō Igano. A village named Kirigakure ("Hidden in Mist") appears in the manga and anime series Naruto
.
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
of the final phase of the Japanese civil war
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
. In the folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
he is one of the Sanada Ten Braves
Sanada Ten Braves
The are a legendary group of ninja that assisted the warlord Sanada Yukimura during the Warring States era of Japan ....
, and next to Sarutobi Sasuke
Sarutobi Sasuke
was a famous ninja in Japanese folklore. He is generally believed to be a Meiji period fictional creation based on the historical ninja ', although some argue for his actual existence.- In folklore :...
, he is the most recognized of the Ten.
As in the case of Sasuke, Saizō might be a fictional creation of the Meiji era popular literature, probably based on Kirigakure Shikaemon, although some argue for his factual existence. According to the historian Stephen Turnbull
Stephen Turnbull (historian)
Stephen Richard Turnbull is a historian specializing in eastern military history, especially the samurai of Japan. The books he wrote are mainly on Japanese and Mongolian subjects.He attended Cambridge University where he gained his first degree...
and non-fiction writer Joel Levy, there is a historical record of a failed assassination attempt by a ninja called Kirigakure Saizō, sent by the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
to kill his rival Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
(Tokichiro Kinoshita). According to another version of this incident, presented by the martial artist and researcher Donn F. Draeger
Donn F. Draeger
Donald 'Donn' Frederick Draeger was an expert practitioner of Asian martial arts, an author of several martial arts books, and a United States Marine...
, the "careless ninja" Saizō was captured while only spying on Hideyoshi, which actually saved the life of the warlord because he was about to be killed by a double agent, Yusuke Takiguchi; Saizō's life was then spared on the condition of declaring loyalty to the Toyotomi clan
Toyotomi clan
Originating in Owari Province, the served as retainers to the Oda clan throughout 16th-century Japan's Sengoku period. -Unity and Conflict:The most influential figure within the Toyotomi was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three "unifiers of Japan." Oda Nobunaga was another primary unifier and the...
.
Saizō is said to be a master of Iga
Iga-ryu
Iga-ryū 伊賀流 is a historical school of ninjutsu. It became one of the two most well-known ninja schools in Japan, along with the Kōga-ryū. The Iga-ryū originated in the Iga Province in the area around the towns of Iga and Ueno...
ninjutsu
Ninjutsu
or may be:*the arts associated with espionage and assassination in feudal Japan, see Ninja*modern schools of martial arts claiming to be based in these traditions, see Modern Schools of Ninjutsu*fictional depictions, see Ninja in popular culture...
. Sarutobi Sasuke, a Kōga
Koga-ryu
Kōka-ryū is a historical school of ninjutsu. It originated from the region of Kōka...
ninja, is thus often portrayed as Saizō's arch-rival, and after they both converted to Sanada's cause, best friends and partners. The name Kirigakure literally means "Hidden Mist", as such Saizō is often associated with fog and, by extension, illusion magic. In contrast to Sasuke, who is often rendered with an almost feral child
Feral child
A feral child is a human child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, and has no experience of human care, loving or social behavior, and, crucially, of human language...
appearance, Saizō usually appears as a calm, elegant, mature, handsome and sometimes feminine young man. The martial artist and author Stephen K. Hayes
Stephen K. Hayes
Stephen K. Hayes is an American Bujinkan ninjutsu master, Buddhist priest and writer.-Life and martial arts:Stephen K. Hayes was born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Fairmont West High School, Kettering, Ohio in 1967. He began formal training in the martial...
compared the portrayal of Saizō in the Japanese children books to this of another ninja "romantic figure" of the bandit hero Goemon Ishikawa.
In popular culture
After Sasuke, Saizō is the only other one of the Ten who is relatively often recurring in the modern works of fiction. In the manga and anime series Samurai Deeper KyoSamurai Deeper Kyo
is a manga series written and illustrated by Akimine Kamijyo. The manga was serialized from October 15, 1999 to May 10, 2006 in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine, and collected over 38 volumes....
, Saizo is a fanatical loyalist of Sanada Yukimura
Sanada Yukimura
was a Japanese samurai, second son of the Sengoku period daimyo Sanada Masayuki . His proper name was Sanada Nobushige , named after Takeda Shingen's younger brother Takeda Nobushige, who was a brave and respected warrior. He and his father were known as being excellent military tacticians...
. In the film Goemon
Goemon (film)
Goemon is a 2009 Japanese historical fantasy film written and directed by Kazuaki Kiriya. It is loosely based on the story of Ishikawa Goemon, a legendary outlaw hero who stole valuables from the rich and gave them to the poor...
, Kirigakure Saizō was portrayed by Takao Osawa
Takao Osawa
is a Japanese actor and a producer. He began his career as a fashion model when he was a university student in 1987.He rose to prominence in a lead role on the television drama Heaven's Coins in 1995. He turned his focus to film roles from 2000.-Movies:...
(and Takeru Satoh
Takeru Satoh
is a Japanese actor. His debut role was as the lead in Kamen Rider Den-O, and is known for his subsequent roles in the dramatizations of Q10 and Ryōmaden.- Career :...
in the role of young Saizō). He also appears in the film Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!
Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!
is the theatrical film adaptation of the Kamen Rider Den-O TV series directed by Takao Nagaishi and written by Yasuko Kobayashi. The movie takes place between episodes 27 and 28 of the series, featuring the DenLiner and its passengers travel as far back as the Edo period of Japan.The film is...
and the manga series BRAVE10, and is the titular subject of the fourth and the seventh films in the Shinobi no Mono series (Shinobi no Mono: Zoku Kirigakure Saizo and Shinobi No Mono: Shin Kirigakure Saizo), as well as a player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
in the video game Onimusha Tactics
Onimusha Tactics
is a strategy installment in the Onimusha series released for the Game Boy Advance. It does not follow the storyline of the previous PlayStation 2 games and is considered a side story...
.
There are also several more or less indirect connections. In the Super Sentai
Super Sentai
The is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
series Ninja Sentai Kakuranger
Ninja Sentai Kakuranger
was TOEI Company Limited's eighteenth production of the Super Sentai television series. The name given to this series by Toei for international distribution is Ninja Rangers....
, one of the main characters, Saizou, played by Hiroshi Tsuchida
Hiroshi Tsuchida
is a Japanese voice actor and actor affiliated with 81 Produce. Tsuchida is best known for his role as Saizou/NinjaBlue in Ninja Sentai Kakuranger.-TV Anime:*Naruto *Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo *Honey and Clover...
, is a modern descendant of Saizō. In a highly unusual portrayal in the video game Kessen
Kessen
is a PlayStation 2 launch title produced by Koei and published by Electronic Arts. This was the first DVD-ROM format game for the PS2. It was initially the only real-time wargame game available for the PlayStation 2....
, Saizo is one the trio of Yukimura's female ninja
Kunoichi
is the term for a female ninja or practitioner of ninjutsu .-Etymology:The term is thought to derive from the names of characters that resemble the three strokes in the kanji character for ; said in the order they are written: ku - no - ichi...
bodyguards. The modern ninja named Saizo are also player characters in the video game series Power Instinct
Power Instinct
is a fighting game series created by Atlus started in 1993. The Power Instinct or Gouketsuji Ichizoku series is renowned for its more humorous take on fighting games, its music and its often-weird characters.One of the innovations unique to the series was the introduction of the transformation...
(Saizo Hattori
Hattori Hanzo
, also known as , was a famous samurai and ninja master of the Sengoku era, credited with saving the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu and then helping him to become the ruler of united Japan. Today, he is often a subject of modern popular culture.-Biography:...
) and Breakers Revenge (Tobikageno Saizō), while the titular character in the manga and anime series Igano Kabamaru was raised and trained by his grandfather Saizō Igano. A village named Kirigakure ("Hidden in Mist") appears in the manga and anime series Naruto
Naruto
is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
.