Changes

:''Japanese'': 幡随院 長兵衛 ''(Banzuiin Choubei)''

:''Japanese'': 幡随院 長兵衛 ''(Banzuiin Choubei)''

Banzuiin Chôbei was an [[Edo period]] street tough who, according to his portrayal in literature and drama, fought against injustices, and to protect the common people from the abuses of the samurai aristocracy. In short, he was an ''[[otokodate]]''. Born in Karatsu, he established himself in the [[Asakusa]] district of [[Edo]], where he led of a band of ''[[machi-yakko]]'' and founded an employment agency for [[ronin]]. Trained as a warrior, he was renowned for his swordsmanship.

Banzuiin Chôbei was a historical street tough of Japan's [[Edo period]] who, according to later fictionalized portrayals of his life in literature and drama, fought against injustices, and to protect the common people from the abuses of the [[samurai]] aristocracy<ref>This character type is known as an ''[[otokodate]]'' in Japanese literature and drama.</ref>. Born in [[Karatsu]], he established himself in the [[Asakusa]] district of [[Edo]], where he led of a band of ''[[machi-yakko]]'' and founded an employment agency for [[ronin]]. Trained as a warrior, he was renowned for his swordsmanship.

In Asakusa, Chôbei organized a ''kumi'' (group or gang) which opposed the ''[[hatamoto-yakko]]'' in seeking to control the area's markets. He was eventually killed by ''[[hatamoto]]'' [[Mizuno Jurozaemon|Mizuno Jûrozaemon]].

In Asakusa, Chôbei organized a ''kumi'' (group or gang) which opposed the ''[[hatamoto-yakko]]'' in seeking to control the area's markets. He was eventually killed by ''[[hatamoto]]'' [[Mizuno Jurozaemon|Mizuno Jûrozaemon]].

Following his death, Chôbei became a popular figure in literature and drama.

Following his death, Chôbei became a popular figure in literature and drama.

==References==

==References==