Kani Saizō

Kani Saizō (1554–1613) was a warrior known by the nickname "Saizō of the Bamboo Grass" at the Battle of Sekigahara and renowned as one of the foremost swordmasters and head-takers of the Sengoku era, a master of practical combat swordsmanship. Though his life was eventful, spent in service to many different lords, his swordsmanship was consistently rated as first-class throughout his age.

Saizō was born in Mino (Gifu) and devoted himself to swordsmanship from a young age. He is said to have studied multiple schools and established his own unique sword style, and his practical sword technique was highly regarded by the military commanders of his time. Throughout his life, Saizō served many lords including Oda Nobunaga, Akechi Mitsuhide, Toyotomi Hidetsugu, and Fukushima Masanori, and was also recognized as one of the "Seven Spears Exception"—an outstanding military commander comparable to warriors such as Katō Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori.

At the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), serving under Fukushima Masanori in the Eastern Army, Saizō's military achievements were particularly outstanding. According to one account, he took seventeen enemy heads. However, the origin of his nickname "Saizō of the Bamboo Grass" comes from the practice of inserting a bamboo leaf into each head he took to mark it, then proving which heads were his during the post-battle head inspection. This practical and rational method demonstrates his cool-headed judgment and keen wit as a true swordsman on the battlefield.

Regarding his connection to the sword, Saizō was an exceptional master of practical combat swordsmanship. Having mastered multiple sword schools, his swordsmanship prioritized battlefield efficiency over formal elegance, and his handling of the Japanese sword became a model for the military commanders and swordsmen of his time. His conduct at Sekigahara is passed down as one of the most vivid real-world examples of how effective the Japanese sword was on the battlefield.

After Sekigahara, Saizō continued to serve Fukushima Masanori and spent his later years in Hiroshima, following Fukushima's transfer to Aki Province. Saizō died in Keicho 18 (1613), and his swordsmanship never declined throughout his lifetime—even in old age he was looked up to as a model by young warriors. The tales of "Saizō of the Bamboo Grass" were passed down as feats of valor throughout the Edo period and remain today one of the beloved figures among many military history enthusiasts.