Changes

* ''Born: [[1541]]''

* ''Born: [[1541]]''

* ''Died: [[1596]]''

* ''Died: [[1596]]''

Also known as Masashige. The son of a certain [[Hattori Yasunaga]], Hanzo, who would earn the nickname 'Devil Hanzo', served [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] loyally and usefully. His nickname - Devil Hanzo - was not only to pay homage to his skills but also to distinguish him from another Tokugawa 'ninja', [[Watanabe Hanzo]]. Hattori, who fought his first battle at the age of 16, went on to serve at [[Battle of Anegawa|Anegawa]] ([[1570]]) and [[Battle of Mikatagahara|Mikatagahara]] ([[1572]]), but his most valuable contribution came in [[1582]], following [[Oda Nobunaga|Oda Nobunaga's]] death. At that time Tokugawa and his retainers had been staying near Ôsaka and learned of the assassination only just in time to avoid being detained by [[Akechi Mitsuhide|Akechi Mitsuhide's]] troops. But they were by no means out of the woods. Mikawa was still a long way away, and Akechi men would be combing the roads for them. At this point, Hanzo suggested that they take a route through [[Iga province]], as he had ties with the samurai there. In addition, Ieyasu had sheltered survivors from Nobunaga's bloody invasion of that province in [[1580]] and those who knew of this would certainly be well disposed to offer assistance. [[Honda Tadakatsu]] sent Hanzo on ahead, and, as hoped, the [[Iga clan|Iga]] men agreed not only to guide them along back roads, but also to provide them with an escort. At length, Tokugawa and his band returned to [[Mikawa province|Mikawa]] safely. The same could not be said for [[Anayama Beisetsu]], a recent Tokugawa addition who had insisted on taking a different route.  

 

The son of a certain [[Hattori Yasunaga]], Hanzo, who would earn the nickname 'Devil Hanzo', served [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] loyally and usefully. His nickname - Devil Hanzo - was not only to pay homage to his skills but also to distinguish him from another Tokugawa 'ninja', [[Watanabe Hanzo]]. Hattori, who fought his first battle at the age of 16, went on to serve at [[Battle of Anegawa|Anegawa]] ([[1570]]) and [[Battle of Mikatagahara|Mikatagahara]] ([[1572]]), but his most valuable contribution came in [[1582]], following [[Oda Nobunaga|Oda Nobunaga's]] death. At that time Tokugawa and his retainers had been staying near Ôsaka and learned of the assassination only just in time to avoid being detained by [[Akechi Mitsuhide|Akechi Mitsuhide's]] troops. But they were by no means out of the woods. Mikawa was still a long way away, and Akechi men would be combing the roads for them. At this point, Hanzo suggested that they take a route through [[Iga province]], as he had ties with the samurai there. In addition, Ieyasu had sheltered survivors from Nobunaga's bloody invasion of that province in [[1580]] and those who knew of this would certainly be well disposed to offer assistance. [[Honda Tadakatsu]] sent Hanzo on ahead, and, as hoped, the [[Iga clan|Iga]] men agreed not only to guide them along back roads, but also to provide them with an escort. At length, Tokugawa and his band returned to [[Mikawa province|Mikawa]] safely. The same could not be said for [[Anayama Beisetsu]], a recent Tokugawa addition who had insisted on taking a different route.  

Hanzo was succeeded by his son, Masanari, who would be given the title Iwami-no-Kami and whose men would act as the guards of [[Edo castle|Edo Castle]]. Hanzo's reputation as a ninja leader who commanded a 200-man strong unit of Iga men has grown to legendary proportions.

Hanzo was succeeded by his son, Masanari, who would be given the title Iwami-no-Kami and whose men would act as the guards of [[Edo castle|Edo Castle]]. Hanzo's reputation as a ninja leader who commanded a 200-man strong unit of Iga men has grown to legendary proportions.