Sasaki Kojirō

Sasaki Kojiro (Japanese佐 々 木 小 次郎; * 1586 ();? † April 13, 1612 ) was one of the most famous Samurai of Japan.

Origin

Sasaki Kojiros origin is largely unknown, it is assumed only that he was instructed in the Chujo -ryu fighting style of Kanemaki Jisai. He later founded his own sword fighting school called Ganryu. He was famous for his fighting technique Tsubame gaeshi (燕返し, dt swallow counter ), also called dovetail counterattack. The technique was influenced by the movements of a dovetail in combat. As a weapon he used in his duels a Nodachi, a very long two-handed sword.

Duel with Miyamoto Musashi

Kojirōs reputation is based mostly on his duel with Miyamoto Musashi in 1612 it took place on the morning of 13 April, and is described in books and documentaries as follows.:

The duel had been agreed in the morning at 8 clock on the small island Funajima. Kojiro appeared on time, but Musashi was not present. While Kojiro waited for the duel Musashi had already begun. He knew that his appear late Kojiro from the concept would bring. As Kojiro with his Nodachi, which is longer than any katana, the range advantage was on his side, Musashi designed a wooden sword that was still a bit longer than a Nodachi. He carved it out of the spare rudder of the boat, which brought him to a duel. With about two hours late Musashi arrived, wooden sword instead of katana in hand. Kojiros jammed anger erupted, he screamed at Musashi: " You are behind you Were probably too cowardly. ? ". The next moment he pulled his Nodachi from the scabbard and flung them into the sea, whereupon Musashi him smiling replied: " You have already lost or would throw away his scabbard the winner? ". From Musashi's provocation further upset to beat Kojiro. He slipped the knot of Musashi's Hachimaki cloth, and was struck down in the next moment of his wooden sword with a blow to the skull. Kojiro lay on the ground, while Musashi still in fighting stance standing beside him. From a lying position raised his sword and brought Kojiro Musashi a wound on the thigh at before he was hit by a further blow of wooden sword on the chest, and immediately died as a result.

It should have been Musashi's last duel. That he designed wooden sword was unique at that time and later became known as SUBURITO ( wooden sword, which is longer and heavier than a conventional bokken ) is known. The island Funajima was henceforth called out of respect for Kojiro Ganryu.

Sasaki Kojiro in the culture

Like most renowned samurai of his era was also shown Sasaki Kojiro at various points:

• In the novel Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa he plays a central role. His life is described in a parallel storyline.
• In various film adaptations of his story, or by Miyamoto Musashi. For example, in Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijoji no Ketto ( Samurai 2: Duel at Ichijoji temple; 1955 Director / Screenplay: Hiroshi Inagaki ).
• In the manga Vagabond he takes next to Musashi a central role and is shown here as deaf.
• Tachibana Ukyo from the computer game Samurai Shodown Kojiro is modeled - is modeled as well as the figure Haōmaru Miyamoto Musashi.
• In the anime Fate / stay night Sasaki Kojiro has also assumed the role of a minor character.
• In the video game Brave Fencer Musashiden the arch rival of the protagonist ( Musashi ) was named after him.