Tadakatsu is often referred to as "The Warrior who surpassed Death itself" because he never once suffered a significant wound, despite being the veteran of over 57 battles by the end of his life.

His spear was named Tonbokiri or Dragonfly Cutter, because legend held that the tip of the spear was so sharp, that a dragonfly that landed on it was cut in two. Tadakatsu's fighting prowess with it was so great that it became known as one of the "Three Great Spears of Japan".