Hattori Hanzo’s Sword

Introduction

A ninja is what might come to mind when we think of “Hattori Hanzō” who served the Tokugawa family. He is often depicted as the head of ninjas in films and jidaigeki, and he was the one who brought the “Iga dōshin” together which was a group composed by the descendants of the Iga ninjas. However, ninjas lost their place in society as time moved on to the more peaceful Edo Period. What were the successive Hattori Hanzōs like? In this article, we would like to introduce to you the origin of the Hattori family and their relationship with the Tokugawa family, as well as the weapons the Hanzōs excelled in using. 

Family Line of Hattori Hanzō

Although the Hattori family were retainers in hereditary vassalage to the Tokugawa family, their origin lies in Iga Province which is considered the mecca of ninjas. Apparently, the ninjas have lived in Iga since early times, and some say that the ancestor of the ninjas is a foreign settler named Hatauji. It is no mystery that there still exists a place called “Hattori” in Iga City of Mie Prefecture as the Hattori family were powerful warriors of Iga. 

According to “The Tale of the Heike”, a figure named Hattori Rokurō took the side of Minamoto no Yoritomo and defeated Minamoto no Aritsuna who was a follower of Yoritomo’s brother, Yoshitsune. Furthermore, in “Genpei Jōsuiki”, it is described that the head of the Hattori family took part in the Battle of Dannoura. These records tell us that the name Hattori stood for a well-known warrior from back then. 

The Hattori family lived in Iga for generations, and it was not until the Sengoku Period that they started to serve the Matsudaira family (later known as the Tokugawa family). To be a ninja during this time was not all about becoming assassins and sabotaging the enemy but mainly involvement in espionage. This meant searching for the enemy’s information and spreading rumors that worked against their advantage. It can be said that the match was mutually beneficial for both sides with the Hattori family who wished to work outside Iga, and the Matsudaira family who were looking for capable spies. 

The Hattori family served the Tokugawa family beginning with Yasunaga, who is thought to be the first Hattori Hanzō. The four generations from Yasunaga to Masashige are especially known for serving the Tokugawa family. However, Masashige was subjected to kaieki or deprivation of post which led to the Hattori family’s temporary downfall but by becoming the chief retainer of the Matsudaira family of the Kuwana domain, the continuation of the family was possible until the end of the Edo Period.  Furthermore, numerous branches of the Hattori family still exist to pass on the history of their name. 

On a side note, Hattori Hanzō does not stand for a single person. All the past generations of the heads of the Hattori family called themselves “Hanzō”. This idea might be similar to the name succession of rakugoka or comic story tellers and Kabuki actors. This name will be succeeded until the end of the shogunate. Now, let us introduce you to some Hattori Hanzōs in history. 

The First Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Yasunaga

Yasunaga, who is the first Hattori Hanzō, was the clan master of the Iga Ninja Group, and his family’s social standing was equal to that of the prestigious Fujibayashi and Momochi family. While in Iga, he served the 12th shogun Ashikaga Yoshiharu under the name Chigachi. With the decline of the shogun’s family,  he made the decision to leave Iga. He was also inclined to leave from financial difficulties due to the fact that the lands were too small to share among local clans. 

Then, Yasunaga chose the Matsudaira family of Mikawa to enter into service. The lord, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu was known for unifying the Mikawa Province and overpowering even Oda of Owari with military power. Serving a powerful family meant Yasunaga was in good hands, and he was finally able to settle down in Mikawa. He was engaged in espionage to keep an eye on the movement of other provinces but this was until Kiyoyasu was killed in the Moriyamakuzure Incident. The Matsudaira family began to decline. The heir, Hirotada, was still very young and other clans saw this as an opportunity to take over control. Facing this threat, the continuation of the family became difficult without the support of the Imagawa family of the neighboring province, and they gradually became a dependent province. This of course affected the future of the Hattori family as well. 

The Second Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Masashige

After Yasunaga died, Masashige took over the Hattori family. “Hattori Hanzō” often refers to this particular one, Masashige. Unlike his father, Masashige did not work as a ninja but as a warrior. His debut on the battlefield came at the age of 16 in the Attack of Kaminogō Castle where he received a sake cup and spear from Matsudaira Motoyasu (later known as Tokugawa Ieyasu) for his achievements. “Oni Hanzō” (“Demon Hanzō”) was his nickname because of his bravery as a warrior, and he was even awarded as one of Tokugawa’s Sixteen Divine Generals. From the Mikawa Ikkō Ikki to the Capture of Kakegawa Castle as well as the Battle of Anegawa, Masashige performed distinguished military services and supported Ieyasu. 

Under suspicion of Oda Nobunaga, Ieyasu’s eldest son Nobuyasu committed suicide in 1579.Masashige was ordered to assist this suicide but stories say that he was unable to obey this, protesting in tears that “having received the lord’s favor over three generations, he cannot point a sword at him”. Ieyasu, who found this out also said in tears, “It appears that even the Oni Hanzō cannot kill his master”. 

Later on when the Honnōji Incident happened,Masashige took the lead to conciliate the people of Iga in order to help Ieyasu’s party escape Kinai (what is known today as Kinki region). With the people’s escort, they safely returned to Mikawa. This is where Masashige was able to put into use his connection with Iga. Acknowledged for this achievement, Masashige was appointed the position to bring together the “Iga dōshin” and “Kōga dōshin” and was awarded with 8000 koku.

On a side note, since Masashige’s house was inside the gates of Edo castle, the gates were given the name, “Hanzō Mon”.

The Third Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Masanari

With the death of “the second Hattori Hanzō” Masashige in 1596, the family estate was distributed to his sons. The older brother Masanari takes over as the third Hattori Hanzō with 5000 koku, and 200 members of the “Iga dōshin” under control. He had received cordial treatment from Tokugawa Ieyasu; however, he made a huge mistake.

Although he was appointed to control the “Iga dōshin”, this only meant he was given the right to command. But Masanari misinterpreted this, providing the Iga people the position of vassals which obviously provoked antipathy. On top of that, in Iga some men were of a higher class than the Hattori family causing every member of the “Iga dōshin” to demand the dismissal of Masanari. Having completely offended Ieyasu, he was dismissed and was sent to Ieyasu’s half-brother, Matsudaira Sadakatsu.

Soon after, Masanari is motivated to join and fight in the Siege of Osaka, but is killed in the Summer Siege. His body was never found until the end. However, his son was brought up properly and eventually became the vassal of the Imabari clan and Iyomatsuyama clan.

The Fourth Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Masashige

Out of the two sons of the second Hattori Hanzō Masashige, Masanari succeeded as the third Hanzō and Masashige (same name as the second) succeeded as the fourth Hanzō. In 1605, Masanari assumed the name of Hattori Hanzō with the kaieki, but the road ahead was full of difficulties. As for Masashige, he married the eldest daughter of Ōkubo Nagayasu who was called the “Magistrate of the Tenka (the whole country)”, and he was assigned an important post to manage the Sado Gold Mine. However, after the death of Nagayasu, it is revealed that the Ōkubo party was engaged in dishonest activities. Affected by this revelation, kaieki is imposed on Masashige as well.

Consequently, both brothers ended up losing their position, but Masashige had hope. Although the Murakami clan who had looked after him became abolished and he became a rōnin, his brother Masanari’s son, Masatoki had arranged to have him serve the Kuwana clan. And so Masashige became their chief retainer and was provided 2000 koku, making the continuation of the Hattori family possible.

The swords of the past Hattori Hanzōs

Although the past Hattori Hanzō were a family of ninjas, they had weapons and armors like the true warriors that they were. Every one of them was practical, carefully selected and perfect for the Hattori family, a family of military fame.  

The First Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Yasunaga’s Armor

Having served Ashikagawa Yoshiharu, the Muromachi shogun, the first Hattori Hanzō Yasunaga is famous for his armor bestowed by Yoshiharu.  It seems they owned several spears, swords and armors but two of them have not yet been found. On the sword read “Hōki no Kuni Ōhara Gorou Dayū Yasutsuna” (the name of the location and the swordsmith), and this was a celebrated sword made in Hōki no Kuni, which is present day Tottori Prefecture. Yasutsuna was also famous for the swords named “Onimaru” and “Meibutsu Doji-giri”, and they help us imagine that the lost celebrated sword would have been as powerful and tenacious as his other masterpieces.

The Second Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Masashige

The second Hattori Hanzō Masashige is known for his many armors, and this is understandable as he joined in numerous battles with Tokugawa Ieyasu. Beginning with the “Hosaki Nanasun Hachibu Spear” which was bestowed to him for his achievements in the Attack of Uto Castle, he has been given numerous spears. From this we can see how brave he was as a warrior. It has also been told that Ieyasu ordered to have an armor made with the same design as his own to give to Masashige as a gift. However, it seems that this armor perished in the fire of the Edo castle.

The Third Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Masanari

Apparently, Tokyo National Museum houses an “ōmiyari” or long spear with the name “Hattori Hanzō Masanari” engraved on it. An “ōmiyari” is a word that refers to a spear with a handle that is more than 30cm long. Making use of its length, the spear was an all-rounder with its ability to thrust, mow down, and sweep. The only flaw was its heavy weight that allowed only experienced and talented warriors to make full use of it. Many spears were created by the swordsmiths of Seki City of Mino Province. The spear that Masanari owned is also a creation of the swordsmith, “Seki Kanehisa”.

The Fourth Hattori Hanzō：Hattori Hanzō Masashige

The weapon that the fourth Hattori Hanzō Masashige owned was called “The Spear of Heianjō Nagayoshi”. This was the spear used by the second Hanzō or Masashige and it was bestowed on him for his achievements in the Battle of Mikatagahara. The spear was the work of the swordsmith Heianjō Nagayoshi who was active in Yamashiro Province during the Muromachi Period. The handle shape was a flat triangle, making the weapon extremely practical.

When asked by his lord, Matsudaira Sadatsuna the origin of the spear, Matsushige decided to give the spear to Sadatsuna’s son, Sadayoshi as a gift. Since the spear had a historical background, Sadatsuna had a copy of the spear made for Masashige.

Summary

There was always that strong image of Hattori Hanzō as a ninja, but in reality they were more of a warrior and far from being a ninja. Yasunaga who left Iga for the Hattori’s future, Masashige who fought with Tokugawa Ieyasu that brought about a rapid progress to the family, and there were also Masanari and Masashige (the fourth) who despite being deprived of their post, aimed for restoration. Every Hattori Hanzō had the strength and power to live through tough times.

In the early Edo Period, the Hattori family cut the connection with the Iga people. However, the Hattori family and Iga can never be pulled apart; the Hattori family will always have the strong Iga impression. Even in present-day Iga City of Mie Prefecture, there are many people with the name “Hattori