Sasaki Kojiro

Sasaki Kojiro (1585-1612) was one of the greatest swordsmen of the Sengoku/Edo periods, and is still known for his legendary duel against Miyamoto Musashi at Ganryujima.

Also known as Ganryu (he later named his martial arts school after it), he was trained by famous swordsmen in the art of wielding the kodachi (shortsword) and later the katana. By 1610, he became a powerful warrior, capable of fending off up to three opponents with a tessen (metal fan), and was named a 'Sword Saint', someone who has perfectly mastered the blade. His favourite weapon was a nodachi called Bizen Osafune Nagamitsu which was also referred to with the less-formidable name of Monohoshizao (Laundry Pole).

He also developed a signature powerful sword technique called Tsubame Gaeshi (Returning Swallow), a high-speed swordslash that changed direction at the last second.

Having found fame, Kojiro was eventually challenged by his long-term rival Musashi, and was killed at Ganryujima in April 1612. It's often thought that Musashi may have cheated, however, there are many stories about what actually happened, and no one knows the full details.

Kojiro is usually portrayed as a Bishonen and a lady-killer, though it is also rumored he was deaf in one ear. Widely considered Musashi's most powerful opponent, and the two are often cast in a Red Oni, Blue Oni relationship (with Kojiro usually cast as the Blue).

See also Miyamoto Musashi.

Anime & Manga

 * Yaiba features Kojiro as a revenant swordmaster resurrected by the Big Bad Onimaru. He wields his trusty sword Laundry Pole, which can grow longer on command.
 * Kojiro appears in Vagabond as a deaf, mute but good natured swordsman. He's also very pretty.
 * The original name of James was Kojiro, while Jessie's was Musashi.

Literature

 * Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. In this novel, after killing Kojiro, Musashi regrets it and thinks hopefully that perhaps it wasn't a fatal blow and Kojiro will recover. The movie ends with Musashi starting to cry as he's rowed away from the island.

Video Games

 * In Samurai Warriors Kojiro is introduced as a ghastly yet beautiful, narcisisstic assassin very skilled with his Nodachi and extra-dimensional blades. He's Musashi's rival, and seeks to give him a beautiful end.
 * Appears in Onimusha: Blade Warriors as an aloof, cold warrior very skilled with his blade. His rivalry with Musashi is also toned down.
 * Fate/stay night has the "Assassin" who's based on Kojiro Sasaki and even uses the Tsubame Gaeshi and a nodachi. However,
 * Brave Fencer Musashi has Kojiro as Musashi's rival.
 * Gandrake in Musashi: Samurai Legend is based on Kojiro.
 * Ill Swordmaster and Iaijutsu Practitioner Ukyo Tachibana is based on Kojiro. He even has (at least in the first game) the Tsubame Gaeshi attack.