Characters
Prince Ousu, later Yamato Takeru
*Referred to below mainly as Takeru. Emperor’s second son. Honest and brave youngster who faces challenges head-on. He accidentally kills his elder twin brother, earning his father’s wrath. He is ordered to combat various enemies who have not submitted to his father’s rule. He takes the name Yamato Takeru from a defeated enemy. He has a son with Princess Etachibana, but is sent east before the son is born in order to conquer the Ezo tribe. He triumphs but is heavily wounded in a fight with a mountain god. He dies just before reaching his hometown and turns into a white bird.
Prince O-usu
Takeru’s elder twin brother. He was the designated crown prince, but becomes suspicious about the motives of his stepmother and attempts a coup against the emperor. He fights with his younger brother, leading to his unintentional death.
Emperor
Emperor of Yamato. The father of twins. He does not forgive Takeru after the latter kills his older brother and commands him to go to battle in various lands. After Takeru conquers Ezo, the father forgives him and seeks to recall him to Yamato after the final challenge with the mountain god.
Empress
Becomes empress after the death of Takeru’s mother. She tries to install her own son as crown prince and schemes to get the emperor’s sons killed.
Princess Yamato
Emperor’s younger sister. She supports her nephew Takeru and tries to talk the emperor out of his punishment of his son, but is forced to become a shrine maiden at Ise with Princess Ototachibana. She gives Takeru a sacred sword and lucky charm on his way east.
Kumaso Etakeru
Leader of rebellion in the west against the Yamato dynasty. He rules Kumano Province with his younger brother. He is killed by Prince Ousu, who has snuck into the palace disguised as a dancer.
Kumaso Ototakeru
Younger brother of Kumasu Etakeru. He is killed by Prince Osu along with his elder brother, but in his dying moments, praises Yamato Takeru’s actions and grants him the name Takeru.
Takehiko
Ruler of iron-producing Kibi Province. He is punished for his alliance with Kumaso and is ordered to attend Takeru on the journey to combat Ezo. Contrary to the emperor’s plan to sow conflict, he is won over by Takeru and becomes his ally. He attends Takeru in his final moments.
Yai Repo
Officer of Sagami Province. Originally from Ezo, he feigns loyalty to Yamato but is allied with Kumaso.
Yai Ramu
Younger brother of Yai Repo. He plots to overthrow the Yamato dynasty, who tries to conquer the Ezo with rice crops and iron tools. He attacks Takeru, but is defeated along with Yai Repo.
Hetarube
An Ezo citizen, he offers to guide Takeru in the east and subsequently accompanies him.
Princess Etachibana
Daughter of previous emperor’s loyal servant. She is supposed to become a wife of the emperor along with her younger sister, but marries the Crown Prince O-usu. Takeru is an enemy, but she is touched by his purity and innocence. She marries him after his victory over Kumaso and gives birth to a son Waka Takeru.
Princess Ototachibana
Younger sister of Princess Etachibana. She loves Takeru and marries him in Ise. She attends Takeru on his journey to Ezo. When a storm hits their journey by boat, she dives into the sea to calm the gods, thus rescuing her husband.
Princess Miyazu
Daughter of an officer in Owari Province. After Takeru conquers Ezo and is about to reestablish himself in Yamato, her father arranges a marriage with Takeru. She gives comfort to Takeru after his long battles.
God of Mt. Ibuki
God of the sacred Mt Ibuki. His ancestors were rebels against the Yamato dynasty, and he has taken refuge in Mt. Ibuki. He sees through Takeru’s arrogance and fights desperately with the assistance of his wife and other fellow gods and demons. He is defeated in the end, but delivers a fatal wound to Takeru.
Waka Takeru
Prince born to Takeru and Princess Etachibana. He is separated from Takeru, who could not return to the capital for an extended period. He is designated Crown Prince after his father’s death.
