Career
He was younger of the two sons of Count John I, from the Kiel line of the House of Schauenburg. John II received the area between the Kiel Fjord and the sources of the Alster and the Pinnau. He took up residence at Kiel Castle.
He was a hapless ruler.
In 1308 his second-born son Adolphus VII succeeded John II"s brother Adolphus V in Holstein-Segeberg. He lived until his death from the revenues of the city of Kiel and its surroundings.
His nickname refers to an accident where he lost the sight in one eye after an unfortunate throw of a chicken bone by his court jester. The seal depicted at the top of this article reads:South(IGILLUM)*IOHANNIS*COMITIS*HOLTZATIE "of John, Count of Holstein".