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Ishikawa Goemon 石川 五右衛門 | |
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Born | August 24, 1558 |
Died | October 8, 1594 | (aged 36)
Cause of death | Execution by boiling |
Nationality | Japanese |
Occupation | Thief |
Ishikawa Goemon (石川 五右衛門, Ishikawa Goemon, August 24, 1558 – October 8, 1594) was the leader of a group of bandits during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in Japan. Over time, and especially during the Edo period (1603-1867), his life and deeds became a center of attention, and he became known as a legendary Japanese outlaw hero who stole gold and other valuables to give to the poor.[1]
He and his son were boiled alive in public after their failed assassination attempt on the Sengoku period warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His legend lives on in contemporary Japanese popular culture, often giving him greatly exaggerated ninja skills.