Matsuura Seizan - The Old Man of Edo

The Old Man of Edo

During the Tempo Era (1830–44) there were reports of an old man traveling around the outskirts of Edo, using a broken bow stave as a cane. He successfully fought all challengers, giving the losers a sound thrashing and confiscating their swords. These incidents ran into the dozens, and the losers included several people who were later to become famous swordsmen.