Goemon Ishikawa (石川 五右衛門) was a Japanese outlaw. The historical Goemon is only mentioned in two sources, both of which were created after his death. The first one, the Toyotomi Hideyoshi fu (豊臣秀吉譜), details his attempted assassination of the shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi, his capture, and his execution alongside his young son in 1594. Goemon's death by being boiled alive was also described in a second historical source by Pedro de Morejon who transcribed his name as "Ixicava Goyemon". As time passed, Goemon's story was expanded to make him a hero similiar to Robin Hood, robbing the rich and giving his spoils to the poor. Stories from the 19th and the 20th century also make him out be a skilled ninja. Goemon and his infamous death eventually became the subject of various Bunraku and Kabuki plays. The legend was also adapted into movies, anime shows and video games.
Goemon's design, particularly his facial structure and make up, reference his historical ukiyo-e paintings, as Yusuke Kitagawa's name is inspired by the prestigious ukiyo-e artist Utamaro Kitagawa.