Kirigakure Saizō
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Kirigakure Saizō (霧隠才蔵?) is one of the Ten Heroes of Sanada and a legendary ninja from Sengoku period of Japan. Next to Sarutobi Sasuke, he is the most recognized of the Ten. As with Sasuke, Saizō is a fictional creation of the Meiji era popular literature, probably based on Kirigakure Shikaemon.
Saizō is said to be a master of Iga ninjutsu. Sarutobi Sasuke, a Kōga ninja, is thus often portrayed as Saizō's arch-rival, and after they both converted to Sanada's cause, best friends and partners.
The name Kirigakure literally means "hidden in fog", as such Saizō is often associated with fog and, by extension, illusion magic. In contrast to Sarutobi Sasuke, who is often rendered with an almost feral child appearance, Saizō usually appears as a calm, elegant, mature, handsome and sometimes feminine young man.
In the anime, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Sanada Yukimura is protected by the Ten Heroes of Sanada (based on the Ten Heroes themselves). Kirigakure Saizo is one of the more distinct members, along with Sarutobi Sasuke.
[edit] Alternate Information
The name Kirigakure also appears in Naruto as the name for the Village Hidden in the Mist, or Hidden in Mist for short.
