Great General Jinja, also known as Great King Jinja, is a Buddhist guardian deity often mentioned as one of the sixteen virtuous deities in the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra.
He is described as wearing a necklace of skulls and a skirt of elephant hide, sometimes carrying a spear or snake.
Jirou-kun, Ichirou-kun, and Saburou-kun are the monikers Yuuri gives to the trio of sharks he meets when he lands in the ocean on his third trip to Shinma Kingdom.
The names are from an action-adventure video game called Ookami, which combines Japanese mythology and folklore to tell the story of the Shinto sun goddess, Amaterasu, saving the land from darkness. In the game, Jirou and Saburou are male and female crab demons which combine together to form Ichirou the shark.
Also known as: Hatakeyama Yoshiharu (畠山義春), Uesugi Masashige (上杉政繁)
Son of Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu, he was one of Uesugi Kenshin's adopted sons. His legal wife was the daughter of Nagao Masakage.
In the beginning he was taken by Kenshin as a hostage, but his abilities were noticed by Kenshin, who adopted him. He became the head of the Joujou-Uesugi Clan and married one of Uesugi Kagekatsu's sisters. He was distantly related to the Uesugi Clan and was content with his standing within the clan. He distinguished himself in the numerous battles Uesugi fought against Oda Nobunaga and Houjou Ujimasa.
He fought for Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. Afterwards, he fought and checked invasion by the Oda army several times and was made master of Kaidu Castle. In 1584, his son (Kagekatsu's nephew) was sent to Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Kagekatsu had no sons of his own at the time). In compensation, he was exempted from military service.
In 1586, he accompanied Kagekatsu to the capital, but afterwards he left the Uesugi Clan, leaving his wife and children behind. In rage, Kagekatsu confined Masashige's wife (his sister) and children for almost ten years. There are various theories regarding the reasons for Masashige's defection, including slander from Naoe Kanetsugu, Kagekatsu's trusted commander and advisor, a close relationship with Shibata Shigeie, and mistrust from Kagekatsu because Masashige was also one of Kenshin's adopted sons.
He later became a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu and changed his family name back to Hatakeyama. He fought for Ieyasu in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and lived in Edo until his death.
Deputy head of the Red Whales, Reijirou is described as having slanted eyes and a strong-willed, harsh expression—not unlike that of a bandit. He was a member of the Ichiryou Gusoku. He appears to be more spiritually-sensitive than Kusama.
Birthday: Dec. 9
Height: 5'5"
Weight: unknown
Blood type: A
Possessed by: Kakizaki Haruie.
Kakizaki Haruie's current incarnation: a female college student about four years older than Takaya who rides a Yamaha FZR400 motorcycle called Ecchan. She is described as a beauty with sauvage-style long hair and long, slim legs. She lives in Yokohama with her parents.
Notes: She appears as 'Ayako' in narration. Naoe and Nagahide call her 'Haruie', and Takaya calls her 'Nee-san'.
Also known as: Kai Chikanao (甲斐 親直)
Son of Kai Chikanobu and chief retainer of Aso Koretoyo, chief priest of Higo Province's Aso Shrine and head of the Aso Clan. His excellent military strategies and diplomatic maneuvering helped the Aso Clan retain its territories after one ally, the Ootomo Clan, suffered a catastrophic defeat to the Shimazu Clan in the Battle of Mimi-kawa and another, the Sagara Clan surrendered to Shimazu and was ordered to attack its former ally.
He died of illness in 1583 at the age of 75 (some said he was poisoned by his granddaughter, daughter of his heir Kai Chikahide). Souun's loyalty to the Aso Clan was such that he mercilessly purged any who tried to betray his family or disobey his family's policies, including killing his second and third sons and exiling his fourth for approaching Itou Yoshisuke of Hyuuga. In response Chikahide tried to assassinate his father, but his attempt was exposed. He only escaped death thanks to the pleas of Souun's vassals and because he was heir. Chikahide's wife's father had also been killed by Souun for disloyalty, and she was so terrified that she allegedly ordered her daughter to poison Souun.
Historically: Abbot and Zen Master of Erin Temple of Kai who was burned alive in his temple by Oda Nobunaga's soldiers during the invasion of Kai.
In Mirage of Blaze: The priest who bound Takeda Shingen's spirit after his death.
An employee of Keibu Real Estate, said to be a distant relative of its CEO Tatsumi Yoshitsugu. A descendant of the Satomi Clan with psychic powers of his own.
Described as looking like a young industrialist with flawless poise, he wears silver thin-rimmed glasses and is around 30. He has almond-shaped black eyes and black hair he usually wears slicked back.
Son of Kaji Harutsuna, vassal of the Uesugi Clan. His mother was Uesugi Kenshin's younger sister. Master of Kaji Castle.
He fought several times in the Battles of Kawanakajima and distinguished himself in battle. He supported Uesugi Kagetora in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. He surrendered to Kagekatsu's side when Shibata Shigeie and Ijimino Nobumune attacked Kaji Castle, but later fought against Kagekatsu once more when Shibata Shigeie rebelled against Kagekatsu in 1581. Before Kagekatsu attacked Shibata Castle, he first attacked Kaji Castle, and Hidetsuna died in battle in 1587.
Historically: the son of Kakizaki Kageie. He was sent to Odawara Castle in Sagami when the Kenshin and the Houjou clans struck a peace treaty in an exchange of hostages with Houjou Saburou (Uesugi Kagetora). The fate of Kakizaki Haruie was unknown when his father was accused of treason. There are theories that he either died in 1575 along with his father, or that he was murdered by Uesugi Kagekatsu's faction in 1578 during the Otate no Ran.
In Mirage of Blaze: He was one of Uesugi Kagetora's most loyal followers as well as the leader of his faction in the Otate no Ran, and was killed by Uesugi Kagekatsu's followers. He is now one of the Yasha-shuu under Kagetora's command. Haruie possesses female bodies (the only member of the Yasha-shuu to do so) in search of a lover who died two hundred years ago.
Of the Yasha-shuu, he is the one who excels most at the spiritual sensing ability called reisa.
Historically: A general of Uesugi Kenshin who also served Kenshin's father, Nagao Tamekage. His son, Kakizaki Haruie, was sent to Odawara Castle as hostage to the Houjou Clan when an alliance was formed between the Uesugi and Houjou Clans. He was famous for his bold assault strategies in battle. However, he was accused of plotting treason against Kenshin with Oda Nobunaga and was made to commit suicide. (Though there are also theories that he died a natural death).
Son (and apparently grandson) of Kakizaki Kageie, vassal of Uesugi Kenshin. When his father was executed for colluding with Oda Nobunaga, Noriie was spared, but the Kakizaki family was given a lower rank. He supported Uesugi Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death from Saruge Castle. His brother Haruie supported Uesugi Kagetora in the conflict and was killed. Kagekatsu revived the Kakizaki family after his victory.
He was awarded a 2861-koku fief in 1594, but was exiled from the Uesugi Clan in 1597. He returned to the Uesugi Clan when Uesugi Sadakatsu succeeded his father as head of the clan.
Also known as: Kojirou (小次郎)
Vassal of the Uesugi Clan who mainly served as a magistrate under Uesugi Kenshin in Kyoto. He acted as negotiator for the Uesugi Clan in the Imperial Court and Shogunate in such matters as trade in commodities particular to Echigo.
He became master of Sanjou Castle after the death of Yamayoshi Toyomori. In the Otate no Ran, he apparently joined Uesugi Kagekatsu's side at first along with Yamayoshi Kagenaga, but later fought on Uesugi Kagetora's side with Honjou Hidetsuna. After Kagetora's death, he continued to oppose Kagekatsu, but in the end was betrayed and killed by one of his vassals within Sanjou Castle who was in collusion with Yamayoshi Kagenaga.
A crooked member of Hyougo Prefecture's parliament who makes a kickback deal with Sakuma Shouzou. His office is located in Kobe's Sannomiya.
Son of a retainer of the Jinbou Clan in Ecchuu, he entered the service of the Uesugi Clan around 1573. He supported Uesugi Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death, in which he apparently distinguished himself; from 1583 onward he acted as diplomat for Kagekatsu. He was prone to illness, and probably died of such around 1584.
Naoe Nobutsuna's name before he performed kanshou on Tachibana Yoshiaki. He died in the Uesugi's battle against Oda Nobunaga.
Information trader Murauchi Senzou was one of his friends.
Kasahara Masataka was a vassal of the Houjou Clan and master of Izu-Tokura Castle. His father was Matsuda Norihide, and he was adopted into the Kasahara Clan. He served Takeda Katsuyori for a while, but after the fall of the Takeda Clan returned to the Houjou. When his younger brother Matsuda Hideharu discovered him and his father passing information to the Toyotomi side during the Siege of Odawara, Masataka was forced to commit suicide.
The counselor from the Family Court who mediated Takaya's parents' divorce. He is middle-aged, slim with broad shoulders, and wears glasses. He always carries caramels in his pockets, which he freely shares, due to which Miya gives him the nickname "Caramel Man". He smiles frequently and warmly and is one of the only adults the young Takaya tells his true feelings to. He has also taken charge of Mitsui several times on behalf of the Court.
A former student of Matsumoto South High School who was in one of Ougi Miya's clubs. She now attends Shinshuu University.
Historically: Lady Kasuga, born Ofuku, was the daughter of Saito Toshimitsu and was raised by her mother's relatives when her father died in 1582. She married Inaba Masanari. She was later employed by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the wet nurse of his grandson, Takechiyo. When Takechiyo became Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun, in 1623, Ofuku was promoted to the title of "Tsubone", or "Court Lady", and controlled the shogun's harem of Edo Castle. She became the power behind the shogun and a major influence on his policies of Isolationalism and anti-Christianity.
In Mirage of Blaze: When Yuzuru says that he is feeling unwell, Takaya jokes that he's been possessed by the spirit of Kasuga no Tsubone.
Also known as: Katakura Kojuurou Kagetsuna (片倉小十郎景綱)
A military commander of the Sengoku era and hereditary vassal of the Date Clan. The Katakura family traditionally took the nickname of 'Kojuurou', so Katakura Kagetsuna is better known as Katakura Kojuurou.
Kojuurou first served Date Masamune's father, Date Terumune, as a junior page, then became Date Masamune's attendant in 1575. He was later appointed a strategist, and participated in most of Masamune's important wars where he rescued the Date Clan from many tight spots. His wisdom was extolled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and his name was a byword for loyalty. (He was called 'Katakura Kagetsuna the Wise', and he, along with 'Date Shigezane the Brave', were named 'the twin jewels of the Date'.)
Kojuurou died in 1615 of illness.
A possessor spirit who stalks Naoe in Tokyo with the intention of feeding his essence to his magic flute, Kasumimaru. He prefers to take possession of young men.
He learns that Naoe is Uesugi and later joins forces with him.
Hazama Confectionery's head secretary. He works on the top floor of the company headquarters in Osaka and oversees Hazama Shigeharu's secretaries (eight total, not including Tachibana Yoshiaki).
Nagachika became a vassal of Uesugi Kenshin when Kenshin went to the capital in 1559 and recognized Nagachika's ability. Nagachika, who was both courageous and wise, served as a magistrate for Kenshin. He fought in many of Kenshin's battles, including the battles for the Kantou against Houjou Ujiyasu. He served as chamberlain of Numata Castle, then master of Uozu Castle and supreme commander of Uesugi's troops in Ecchuu. He succeeded Uesugi Kagenobu as head of the Koshi-Nagao family, but refused the Nagao family name.
He became a monk after Kenshin's death. At the beginning of the Otate no Ran, he was neutral towards Uesugi Kagenobu and the Kawada family's support of Uesugi Kagetora, but later supported Uesugi Kagekatsu.
He fought a defensive battle against Oda's invading army, and later met the invasion of Ecchuu by Shibata Katsuie, Sassa Narimasa, etc. but died of illness during the campaign. Invigorated by his death, the Oda army took over the entire province of Ecchuu.
Title: Houki no Kami
Vassal of the Echigo Uesugi Clan, later vassal of the Sagami Houjou Clan. He served Uesugi Kenshin along with his nephew Kawada Nagachika and participated in negotiations for the Uesugi-Sagami Alliance in 1569.
In the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death, he declared his support for Uesugi Kagetora and took Numata Castle from Ueno Ienari of the Kagekatsu faction. He joined forces with Kitajou Takahiro to attack Sakato Castle, but retreated when Kagetora was defeated in Echigo. In order to aid the Houjou advance into eastern Kouzuke, which they were contesting with Takeda after Takeda joined Kagekatsu, Shigechika headed for Odawara.
After the destruction of the Houjou Clan, Shigechika served the Tokugawa Clan.
A student at Fukashi Junior High School in Takaya's year, described as a delinquent with blond hair who belongs to the "Yankee Gang". He's in Yuzuru's class in their second year of junior high.
Also known as: Ikehata Naoaki (池端直亮)
Kayama Yuuzou is a popular Japanese actor, singer song-writer, guitarist, pianist, and artist. His surf music triggered a fashion movement in the 1960s, and he is best known for songs such as "Black Sand Beach," "Kimi To Itsumademo," (With You Always) and "Umi no Ue de" (On the Sea).
A Shugen Houin priest from Mount Haguro
who performs the Daiitoku Myouou-hou, one of the dual ceremonies used to neutralize the 'kinrin no hou' curse in Sendai. He is somewhat younger than his fellow priest Choukai.
Also known as: Hongan-ji Kennyo, Hongan-ji Kousa
Chief Abbot of Ishiyama Hongan Temple, fortress of the Ikkou-ikki, Kennyo became the 11th head of the Hongan Temple in Kyoto upon his father Shounyo's death in 1554, when he was 12. Kennyo was renowned as a strategist who engineered many alliances in the Sengoku Era and made Ishiyama Hongan Temple virtually unbreachable. His wife was the third daughter of Sanjou Kinyori (sister to Takeda Shingen's wife, Sanjou-no-kata), and they got along very well.
Kennyo aided Shingen by persuading the Ikkou sectarians in Kaga Province to rise up against Uesugi Kenshin. He allied himself with Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki and created an anti-Oda alliance with the Takeda, Asakura, Azai, and Mouri clans. The alliance failed upon Takeda Shingen's death in 1573.
In 1570, Oda Nobunaga laid siege to Ishiyama Hongan Temple, a siege that would last 10 years, the longest in Japan's history. Kennyo left the temple to attempt to raise reinforcements, and his son surrendered to Nobunaga by request of the Emperor.
Kennyo later enlisted the help of Ikkou sectarians for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who granted Kennyo a new Hongan Temple (now known as Nishi-Hongan Temple) in 1589.
A Japanese author, waka poet, and courtier who was one of four poets selected by the Emperor Daigo to compile the Kokin Wakashuu, an anthology of poetry. His other major literary work was the Tosa nikki, or Tosa Diary, written about his trip from Kyoto to Tosa Province in 935.
Also known as: 金八 (Kinpachi), Onhachi, Buddhist Priest Kihachi, Kihachifushi, 走建 (Hashiritakeru, Hasetakeru)
Kihachi is mentioned in the Asahi Daijin (1189) at Takachiho Shrine.
There are many legends about Kihachi, including:
- He served Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto and ran to retrieve his arrows during the god's target practice. He retrieved 99 arrows, but grew so tired that he retrieved the 100th with his foot. Displeased, Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto cut off his head. The head rose into the sky and brought frost on the land until it was warmed by a bonfire.
- Onihachi lived in Chichi Cave at the foot of Mt. Nijou. He forcibly took Unome-hime (also known as Asara-hime), daughter of Inari-hime, as his wife and hid her.
- (From the Miyazaki Legends) Similar to the Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto story, he angered Aso-myoujin of Higo by picking an arrow up with his foot. His wife Asara-hime, an incarnation of a dragon from Mitai, rebelled against him at the behest of Mikeirino-no-mikoto (Mikenu-no-mikoto), whereupon Tabe Shigetaka and others subjugated him, cut him into pieces, and buried the parts in three separate places.
- (From Takachiho) He was a demon who lived in a cave until he was killed by a son of Emperor Jimmu, who cut him to pieces and buried him in three separate places.
- (Also from Takachiho) His real name was Hashiritakeru, a giant spider. He ruled Takachiho, harried the people, and violently carried off beautiful women. He was exterminated by Mikeirino-no-mikoto, his body cut up, and buried in several places. He was described as a god who could make frost at will.
Mori Ranmaru's underling and one of the Nue-shuu, whose name means "golden nue". He is described as an auraless man in stained work clothes.
A young part-time employee of the yacht club Takaya and Ayako meet during their investigation on E Island who tells them about his sighting of merpeople. Described as muscular and tanned a golden brown even in winter.
Ougi Miya's friend and classmate at Matsumoto South High School. Her mother helps Miya get a part-time job as a waitress.
A vassal of Uesugi Kenshin, eldest son and heir of Kitajou Takahiro. In 1563, he and his father both entered Maebashi Castle to help with the governing of the Kantou. He succeeded his father as head of the clan in 1574 at his father's retirement.
He supported Uesugi Kagetora in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death and fought several battles with Uesugi Kagekatsu's troops in Echigo. The following year, he was injured by a lance wielded by one of Kagekatsu's commanders, Ogita Nagashige, which became a fatal wound and killed him. Kagehiro had been a central cohesive force in Kagetora's faction, and after his death Kagetora's faction began to fall apart, leading to his defeat.
A commander of the Sengoku who served the Nagao Clan, including Nagao Tamekage, Nagao Harukage, and Uesugi Kenshin. He was extolled as the "warrior whose physique is without peer" because of his handsome features. His military fame was widespread among the Uesugi army, which worried even Kenshin. Because of these facts, there was particular antagonism between him and Yasuda Kagemoto, whose clan, like the Kitajou Clan, was descended from the Mouri Clan.
In 1574 he retired to Oogo Castle in favor of his eldest son and heir Kitajou Kagehiro. He supported Uesugi Kagetora along with his son in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. When Kitajou Castle fell and his son died during battle, he ran to Takeda Katsuyori, by whose intercession he returned to serve Kagekatsu according to one theory. (There are also theories that he served the Later Houjou Clan or died without being able to return to Echigo.)
Kagetora's beloved in the age before he became Ougi Takaya.
A young woman who was a former hostess and Shiohara Kouzou's lover. She blames Shiohara Nagi for Kouzou's death. She lives in Takada City and seems to be something of an alcoholic.
A Math teacher at Old Castle High School who suddenly falls ill. Chiaki Shuuhei substitutes for him. According to Koganezawa Kyouko, he's boring and has a droning voice. He is advisor to the school's rugby team.
Kodama Narikata was a retainer of the Mouri Clan in Mouri Takamoto's service. He commanded the Mouri Navy and was lord of Kusatsu Castle in Aki.
In Mirage of Blaze, Narikata continued to serve Mouri as the commander of its navy and was on board the 'Yamato' with Kikkawa Motoharu during the battle of Itsuku Island.
A student at Old Castle High School in junior class C who has been friends with Inaba Akemi since junior high.
She has something of a reputation for going through boyfriends quickly and decides to seduce Chiaki Shuuhei, her Math teacher. She is manager of the rugby team and gets Chiaki to agree to be the team's advisor in Kobayashi's place.
The head abbot of Jikou Temple belonging to the Shingon school whom Naoe asks to help train Takaya in his powers. He is an old acquaintance of Naoe (Tachibana Yoshiaki)'s family and knows something of Naoe true powers.
Kokuryou is about 70 years of age and of short stature, but remarkably active. Ayako describes him as a stubborn person who is scary when mad, so is on her best behavior around him.
Kokuryou Keinosuke's wife, a kindly woman who dies in the attack of Jikou Temple by Kousaka Danjou.
Kondou Tsunahide became a vassal of Houjou Ujiteru in 1581 and was active in the south-west region of Musashi. After Ujiteru took Shimotsuke, Tsunahide was tasked with the governance of Enomoto, one of its territories, and given Enomoto Castle. He was entrusted with great authority, and was also involved in diplomatic negotiations with the Katakura of the Date Clan.
During the Siege of Odawara, he died in battle at Hachiouji Castle.
A Japanese impressionist and comedian.
Also called: Kousaka Danjou Masanobu (高坂弾正昌信), Kousaka Danjou Nosuke Masanobu (高坂弾正忠昌信), Kasuga Toratsuna (春日虎綱), Kasuga Gensuke (春日源助)
Title: Danjou Nosuke/Faithful True-Shot (弾正忠)
Historically: One of Takeda Shingen's most loyal retainers who was one of his Twenty-Four Generals and played a key part in the fourth battle of Kawanakajima.
Kousaka was born in Kai to a wealthy farmer, Kasuga Ookuma (?) (春日大隈). His father died when he was 16, and he lost a lawsuit against his elder sister's husband for ownership of his father's lands. He then enrolled in the service of Takeda Shingen.
Kousaka first served as a messenger for Shingen. He distinguished himself in battle, and rose swiftly through the ranks of Shingen's trusted retainers. He participated in most of Shingen's battles. He did not hesitate to retreat when required, which earned him the nickname of "Escaping Danjou". However, he was calm and logical in the midst of battle, and was perhaps the best of Shingen's generals.
There are anecdotes that in his younger days, Kousaka and Shingen were engaged in a shudo relationship, and Kousaka rose so quickly in Shingen's service because of Shingen's affection.
After Shingen's death in 1573, Kousaka continued on to serve Takeda Katsuyori. He sought an alliance between the Takeda clan and their old enemy, the Uesugi clan, in order to unite against the threat of Oda Nobunaga.
Kousaka died in 1578 of illness at the age of 52. He was succeeded by his second son, Kousaka Masamoto (高坂昌元), his first son, Kousaka Masazumi (高坂昌澄) having died in the Battle of Nagashino in 1575.
In Mirage of Blaze: A kanshousha who, along with Sanjou-no-Kata, breaks the barrier over Takeda Shingen's tomb, the Maenduka, in an attempt to resurrect Shingen by using Narita Yuzuru as a vessel for his spirit.
According to Haruie, Kousaka has a high level of spiritual sensing ability (reisa), such that he is able to recognize someone he had met before even after their soul has undergone purification. He warns Naoe that Narita Yuzuru's existence is a threat to the Roku Dou Sekai.
Kuki Yoshitaka was the 8th head of the Kuki Clan and Kuki Navy. He was born in Shimo Province as the second son of Kuki Sadataka and served both Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi in a brilliant career encompassing many campaigns, including the siege of the Ikkou Sect at Ishiyama Hongan Temple, during which he built armored ships to rebel fire from the Mouri Navy.
Yoshitaka also participated in the Subjugation of Kyuushuu in 1587 and the Siege of Odawara in 1590. He retired in 1597 in favor of his second son, Kuki Moritaka. However in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, he fought on the Toyotomi side while his son fought for Tokugawa Ieyasu. Moritaka begged Ieyasu for his father's life, which Ieyasu granted, but Yoshitaka committed suicide before the message reached him.
