Saito Hiroemon

was Japanese serial killer who perpetrated the so-called during the Edo period. Using a yari spear, Saito targeted homeless and disabled people in the streets of Edo between January and March 1806, killing seven and injuring seven others. He confessed to the crimes in April of the same year following arrest for an unrelated theft and was executed a week later.

Biography Little is known about Saito's upbringing. According to him, he served in a samurai residence and learned how to use a spear during that time. At the time of his execution, he was described as a 37-year-old foot soldier for a daimyo.

Crime The attacks took place from 21 January to 6 March 1806. Since the beginning of February, the tokugawa shogunate has increased its vigilance, but incidents have continued one after another. From the beginning of March, a large-scale fire called the "Great Fire of Bunka" occurred around the same time, but the crimes continued. Homeless 40s 21 January 1806 2 Unknown Blind monk 60 23 January 1806 Kiridoshi, Yushima 3 Unknown 38-39 25 January 1806 Niōmon, Asakusa 4 Unknown Visually impaired person 40 31 January 1806 Kaminarimon 5 Kyoan Blind homeless 32 1 March 1806 Edomizaka 6 Chosuke Freeloader 50 6 March 1806 Sanno-cho, Kōjimachi 7 Usuke Doctor's apprentice 25 6 March 1806 Higashinaka-cho, Asakusa

Survivor Number Name Status Age Date of Murder Locations 1 Unknown Blind Homeless 23 January 1806 2 Tohachi 57 4 February 1806 Makiki 3 Ichisuke 16 February 1806 4 Sabei Servant 16 February 1806 5 Unknown Mid-February 1806 6 Teishin Homeless 26 27 February 1806 7 Gesei Blind Masseuse 45 6 March 1806 Kōjimachi

In popular culture Pop Culture Kido Okamoto "hanshichitorimonocho" 1986

Books Kato Ebian "Wagakoromo" Sudo Yoshizo "Fujiokaya Diary" Takizawa Bakin "Toen Shōsetsu"