Sasaki Kojirō
| Sasaki Kojirō | |
|---|---|
Sasaki Ganryû (Sasaki Kojiro) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1845) | |
| Born | c. 1585 Fukui Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | May 13, 1612 (aged 26–27) Ganryū-jima, Japan |
| Native name | 佐々木 小次郎 |
| Residence | Japan |
| Style | Ganryū |
Sasaki Kojirō (佐々木 小次郎, also known as Ganryū Kojirō; c. 1585 – April 13, 1612) was a Japanese swordsman who may have lived during the Azuchi–Momoyama and early Edo periods and is known primarily for the story of his duel with Miyamoto Musashi in 1612, where Sasaki was killed. Although suffering from defeat as well as death at the hands of Musashi, he is a revered and respected warrior in Japanese history and culture. Later Miyamoto proclaimed that Sasaki Kojirō was the strongest opponent he faced in his life.