Kojima Yatarō
Appearance
Kojima Yatarō | |
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Born | Yatarō 1522 CE Harima Province or Mimasaka Province, Japan |
Died | Tenjinyama of Tochio Ohno cho, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata Prefecture. Battle | January 1, 1582 (aged 60–61)
Native name | 小島弥太郎 |
Other names | Kojima Sadaoki; Kazutoshi, Katsutoshi, alias: Kyonosuke, His name: Oni Kojima |
Residence | Japan |
Style | Kenjutsu |
Teacher(s) | Kenshin Uesugi |
Kojima Yatarō (小島 弥太郎, 1522 – 1582) was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who served the Uesugi clan of Echigo Province. He was one of Uesugi Kenshin's leading generals. His ferocity in combat gave rise to his nickname, Demon Kojima (鬼小島, Oni Kojima).
He was also sometimes called "The Ogre" because his helmet had an image of a grinning oni, a mythical creature which has been translated as ogre or demon. His weapon was a kanabō, a weapon associated with ogres, and thus adding further to his reputation.