Kirigi (DC Comics)

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caption=
Kirigi
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Kirigi
real_name=Unknown
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Batman" #431 (1989)
creators=James Owsley and Jim Aparo
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
alliances= possibly the League of Assassins
aliases=
powers=None, but a world-class martial artist and superb sensei|

Kirigi is a fictional character, a martial arts master in the DC Universe. The character first appeared in "Batman" #431.

Fictional character biography

Kirigi was a master of ninjutsu living in the Paektu-San Mountains of North Korea. A young Bruce Wayne had sought Kirigi for instruction, gaining some of the skills he would use as Batman. In that story it was also revealed that Kirigi has taught ninjutsu to several members of Ra's an Ghul's League of Assassins. After defeating these members of the League, Batman returned to Korea and confronted his old sensei, asking if he was upset that his teachings had been used to murder innocents. Unmoved by Batman's anger, Kirigi replied "For me to be upset would imply some moral judgement on my part. You know me better than that. After all, I did not question "your" motives when "you" came to me." (Interestingly, this lack of concern for what students do with their skills is also seen in Catwoman's sensei, the Armless Master.) Since Batman did not appear to pursue the matter further, it is possible that Kirigi has trained other heroes and villains.

It was later revealed in Suicide Squad that Kirigi had been one of the teachers of Ben Turner, the future Bronze Tiger. Turner approached Kirigi looking for help in controlling his thirst for violence. Kirigi, however, did not help Turner with this at all. Instead he saw in the young martial artist's natural skill a way to better himself. Turner eventually tired of this, and left, eventually finding the help he was looking for with the O-Sensei.