Banji Banzaburō (Japanese: 万二 万三郎, fl.
[1][2] The story of Banji Banzaburō is primarily known from the Yamadachi konpon no maki (山達根本之巻), a scroll written in 1193 and preserved in Ani village.
Nikko disguised itself as a white deer and fled, seeking the aid of a master of archery named Banji Banzaburō who lived at the base of the mountain.
[2] Thereafter, Banji moved north to Dewa Province, where he found plentiful animals to hunt.
Because of this, the Ani matagi (阿仁マタギ), especially those from the nearby villages of Uttō (打当), Hitachinai (比立内), and Nekko (根子), are said to be direct descendants of Banji.