Origins & Early Life

Hattori Hanzō (服部 半蔵; c. 1542 – January 2, 1597) or Second Hanzō, nicknamed Oni no Hanzō (鬼の半蔵, Damon Hanzō), was a samurai of the Sengoku era. He served the Tokugawa clan as a general and is credited with saving the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, later helping him to become the ruler of united Japan. Hanzō was known as an expert tactician and a master of sword fighting, and was included in cultural sobriquet as one of Tokugawa's 16 divine generals (Tokugawa jūrokushinshō).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He became known as the Second Hanzō. He later earned the nickname Oni no Hanzō (鬼の半蔵, Demon Hanzō) to distinguish him from another Tokugawa general, Watanabe Hanzō (Watanabe Moritsuna), who is nicknamed Yari no Hanzō (槍の半蔵, Spear Hanzō). Hanzō is often depicted in popular culture as a master ninja or swordsmith. Hattori Hanzō was born the son of Hattori Yasunaga (服部 保長), the First Hanzō, a minor samurai in the service of the Matsudaira (later Tokugawa) clan. His real name was Hattori Masanari (服部 正成).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Despite being born in Mikawa Province (now Iga-chō, Okazaki, Aichi), he often paid visits to Iga Province, home of the Hattori clan. At the age of 15, his first battle was a nighttime attack during the siege...

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