Kazuo Odachi joined the Japanese navy during World War II at the age of 16, becoming a pilot in the Kamikaze Special Attack force. He completed 8 suicide missions without spotting a target. After surviving the war, he returned to Japan and became a police officer in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and then a detective retiring as a Director in the 3rd Investigation Division of the Criminal Affairs Bureau. Having possessed a passion for Kendo since he was a youth, he has taught the art to children for the last 33 years.