Goemon Ishikawa

Thirteenth Generation Ishikawa Goemon

A swordsman descended from ancient sword masters, wielding the white-scabbarded Zantetsuken to slice through anything.

Quotes

  • I've cut another worthless thing
  • All living things must die
  • For the first time in a while, I got to cut something worthwhile
  • I avoid needless killing
  • I won't cut women

Trivia

  • The Zantetsuken dulls once every 300 years, but its edge returns by sleeping with its paired wakizashi.
  • Famous episode where the only thing the Zantetsuken can't cut is konnyaku.
  • Varies by series in first-person pronouns or name notation.
  • Many harsh words toward women but has a pure, weak side toward them.
  • Archaic and unique speech pattern, featuring "~gozaru" and "omae."
  • Go Ayano plays him in the live-action film, and a kabuki actor performs in the stage version.

Alternate names

Ishikawa Goemon Goemon Goemon Goemon

Tags

Lupin III Swordsman Samurai Iaijutsu Zantetsuken Japanese culture Ninjutsu Bushido Swordmaster

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Typically wears Japanese clothing and hakama, with sarashi wrapped and a loosely open thin kimono. Shoulder-length hair, sharp sanpaku eyes, and a rugged face. No beard, bare feet in setta sandals. The color of the kimono varies by series, usually with a calm and stern expression. In combat, he exudes the dignity of a samurai carrying the Zantetsuken. Formal attire is montsuki hakama.
Height
About 180cm
Weight
63kg
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Slitted sanpaku eyes
  • Serious expression
  • Shoulder-length hair
Iconic items
  • Zantetsuken (white-scabbarded Japanese sword)
  • Hakama
  • Sarashi
  • Setta
  • Fundoshi (Etchu style)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Calm and composed
Detailed personality
Always calm and composed with few words, but earnest personality. Hates lies, honest, full of bushido spirit, stoic swordsman pursuing strength. Superstitious with strong attachment to Japanese culture, prefers archaic language. Strict toward women but has a pure side, falls in love easily and is soft on women but has many heartbreaks. Loyal to comrades and cherishes the Zantetsuken greatly. Catchphrase is \"I've cut another worthless thing.\""
Keywords
  • Bushido
  • Calm
  • Earnest
  • Stoic
  • Short-tempered
  • Honest
  • Japanese culture enthusiast
  • Superstitious
  • Soft on women
  • Cold-hearted
Motto
All living things must die. All is impermanent.
Talents
  • Exceptional iaijutsu skills
  • Excellent dynamic vision
  • Advanced physical abilities
  • Near-sixth sense intuition
  • Master of ninjutsu and martial arts in general
  • Strong hunting instincts (enemy presence detection)
  • Knowledge of history and archaeology
  • Medical knowledge
Skills
  • Reverse-grip iaijutsu strike
  • Handling hidden blades
  • Advanced swordsmanship (Shito-ryu karate menkyo kaiden)
  • Tactical foresight
  • Vehicle piloting (cars, airplanes, helicopters, etc.)
  • Persistent training
  • Kampo herbal formulation
Motivation
Hones the edge of his Zantetsuken daily, aiming for enlightenment.
Habits
If the Zantetsuken breaks or gets damaged, he feels inadequate and goes off to train on his own. Prone to harsh words toward women but weak to them. Uses polite language and archaic endings frequently.
Favorite foods
Japanese food, Miso soup, Pickled daikon, Sukiyaki, Sake, Yokan, Umeboshi, Soba
Hobbies
Kabuki viewing, Yakuza film viewing, Gambling (cards, mahjong, slots), Tea ceremony, Iaijutsu training
Favorite places
Japan, Cafes near the hideout
Favorite colors
Kimono colors vary by series (purple, gray, white, pink, yellow)
Person
Master Momochi Sandayu, Ancestor First-generation Ishikawa Goemon
Disliked foods
Tomato ketchup, Western liquor (dislikes the unique medicinal smell)
Disliked situations
Lies, Women's nudity (averse, gets flustered)

History

Backstory
Descendant of the thief Ishikawa Goemon from the Azuchi-Momoyama period, claims to be the thirteenth generation iaijutsu master. Excels in all martial arts and proficient in ninjutsu. Appears in the Lupin III series, slicing enemies with the white-scabbarded Zantetsuken sword. Calm and taciturn swordsman, but sometimes aware of his own inadequacies or weakness toward women. Settings vary by series, but the character was born from the original author Monkey Punch's idea of a Japanese thief image requested by a woman he met in America.
Debut date
October 24, 1971
Work title
Lupin III Part 1 Episode 5 "Thirteenth Generation Goemon Appears"
Media type
Anime
Episode or chapter
TV Part 1 Episode 5

Joining Lupin

Significant event
Joining Lupin
Description
In Part 1 Episode 7 "A Wolf Calls Another Wolf," transitions from hitman role to Lupin's gang member.

Zantetsuken setting established

Significant event
Zantetsuken setting established
Description
Inconsistent in early works, but from "Shin Lupin III" onward, set as meteorite-made flowing star Zantetsuken.

Engagement to a woman (Fuma clan conspiracy)

Significant event
Engagement to a woman (Fuma clan conspiracy)
Description
Entered marriage with Suminoe Murasaki and exchanged betrothal gifts, but marriage postponed.

Live-action film adaptation

Significant event
Live-action film adaptation
Description
In 2014, live-action film starring Go Ayano, portrayed as a modern Japanese swordsman.

Relationships

Ishikawa Goemon

Ancestor

Legendary thief from the Azuchi-Momoyama period and Goemon's ancestor. Object of admiration and respect.

Daisuke Jigen

Teammate

Acts together but often solo.

Fujiko Mine

Harsh judgment as a woman but frequent interactions.

Lupin's gang

Lupin's gang: unknown

Media appearances

Lupin III (TV Part 1)

Anime / Supporting

1971

Lupin III (TV Part 2)

Anime / Supporting

1977

Lupin III Part III

Anime / Supporting

1984

Lupin III Part 4

Anime / Supporting

2015

Lupin III Part 5

Anime / Supporting

2018

Lupin III Part 6

Anime / Supporting

2021

Lupin III: Lupin vs. the Clone

Movie / Supporting

1978

The Castle of Cagliostro

Movie / Supporting

1979

Lupin III: The First

Movie / Supporting

2019

Lupin III vs. Detective Conan THE MOVIE

Movie / Supporting

2013

Various Lupin III games

Game / Protagonist

Lupin III Musical

Stage play / Protagonist

Voice cast and creators

Shuichiro Otsuka

Voice actor
Shuichiro Otsuka
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Part 1
Notes
First Goemon

Makio Inoue

Voice actor
Makio Inoue
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Part 2 to 2010 specials
Notes
Iconic Goemon

Daisuke Namikawa

Voice actor
Daisuke Namikawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV series and films from 2011 onward
Notes
Current Goemon

Hironobu Kageyama

Voice actor
Hironobu Kageyama
Language
Japanese
Version or series
2014 live-action film
Notes
Live-action actor

Kirk Thornton

Voice actor
Kirk Thornton
Language
English
Version or series
Streamline dub

Mike McFarland

Voice actor
Mike McFarland
Language
English
Version or series
Funimation dub

Monkey Punch

Creator name
Monkey Punch
Role
Original author

Related goods

Goemon Ishikawa figure

Item name
Goemon Ishikawa figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Lupin III Zantetsuken model

Item name
Lupin III Zantetsuken model
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

Goemon kimono costume

Item name
Goemon kimono costume
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

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