is a fictional character

Fictional character

A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...

 of a swordsman from Japanese literature

Japanese literature

Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the diffusion of Buddhism in Japan...

 and from cinema of Japan

Cinema of Japan

The has a history that spans more than 100 years. Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world – as of 2009 the fourth largest by number of feature films produced. Movies have been produced in Japan since 1897, when the first foreign cameramen arrived...

. The character is the loyal Sōma clan

Soma clan

The was a Japanese clan of Mutsu Province which was famous for its actions during the 16th century Sengoku Period. Claiming descent from Taira Masakado, the family was politically important from the early Nanbokucho Period on, especially as supporters of Ashikaga Takauji...

 samurai

Samurai

is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...

 Tange Samanosuke who is attacked and mutilated as a result of betrayal, losing his right eye and right arm. Now, he starts to live as a nihilistic ronin

Ronin

A or rounin was a Bushi with no lord or master during the feudal period of Japan. A samurai became masterless from the death or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege....

, using the pseudonym Sazen.

Tange Sazen first appeared in a Fubo Hayashi serial novel depicting the exploits of Ōoka Echizen

Ooka Echizen

was a long-running prime-time television jidaigeki in Japan. From March 16, 1970 to March 15, 1999, 402 episodes were broadcast. Also, a two-hour special aired on March 20, 2006, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the National Gekijō, which occupies the Monday evening 8:00–8:54 time slot on...

 that ran from October 1927 to May 1928 on the pages of Mainichi Shimbun

Mainichi Shimbun

The is one of the major newspapers in Japan, published by .-History:The history of the Mainichi Shimbun begins with founding of two papers during the Meiji period. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun was founded first, in 1872. The Mainichi claims that it is the oldest existing Japanese daily newspaper...

. The character became so popular with the public that three companies released multi-part films of his adventures in 1928, the most popular of which were directed by Daisuke Itō

Daisuke Itō (film director)

was a Japanese film director and screenwriter who played a central role in the development of the modern jidaigeki and samurai cinema.-Career:Born in Ehime Prefecture, Itō joined the actors school at Shōchiku in 1920, but soon began writing screenplays under the recommendation of Kaoru Osanai. He...

 at Nikkatsu

Nikkatsu

is a Japanese entertainment company well known for its film and television productions. It is Japan's oldest major movie studio. The name Nikkatsu is an abbreviation of Nippon Katsudō Shashin, literally "Japan Cinematograph Company".-History:...

 and starred . The film The Million Ryo Pot

The Million Ryo Pot

is a 1935 black and white Japanese film comedy directed by Sadao Yamanaka and starring Denjirō Ōkōchi....

featured Ōkōchi playing a comic Tange and was in part a parody of the earlier character. Other actors who have played Tange Sazen include Tsumasaburō Bandō

Tsumasaburo Bando

was one of the most prominent Japanese actors of the twentieth century. Famous for his rebellious, sword fighting roles in many jidaigeki silent films, he rose to fame after joining the Tōjiin Studio of Makino Film Productions in Kyoto in 1923.-Early life:...

, Ryūtarō Ōtomo

Ryutaro Otomo

was a Japanese film actor. He committed suicide in 1985.- Filmography :He played in 272 films:* * Akō Rōshi * The Magic Serpent - External links :...

, Ryūnosuke Tsukigata

Ryūnosuke Tsukigata

was a Japanese actor known especially for his work in jidaigeki in film and television. His real name was Kiyoto Monden.-Career:Born in Miyagi Prefecture, Tsukigata entered the actor's school at Nikkatsu in 1920, but earned his first starring role working at Shōzō Makino's studio in 1924...

, Kinnosuke Nakamura, and Tetsurō Tanba. Komako Hara

Komako Hara

was a Japanese film actress who was particularly prominent in the silent era. Her real name was Komako Kuragata.-Career:Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Hara made her motion picture debut in 1924 in the film Rakujitsu no yume. At studios such as Tōa Kinema and Makino Talkie, she achieved fame...

 also played a female Sazen in a couple of films in 1937.

In literature

• The Mysterious Sword aka lit. The Magic Sword (丹下左膳　妖刀濡れ燕) (1960)

In films

• Tange Sazen: Hyakuman ryo no tsubo (2004)
• Tange Sazen: Hien iaigiri (1966)
• Tange Sazen doto-hen (1959)
• The Million Ryo Pot
  The Million Ryo Pot
  is a 1935 black and white Japanese film comedy directed by Sadao Yamanaka and starring Denjirō Ōkōchi....
  
  (1935)

External links

• Sazen Tange search listing at IMDB