Characters
Rampei, actually Ban Yoshio
Serves as junior servant to Ariwara Yukihira. His father had been exiled by Yukihira, and he is now serving in disguise while awaiting the opportunity to avenge his father’s disgrace. He pretends to have an illness that makes him mad at the sight of a sword, a ruse to throw Yukihira off guard. After his identity is revealed, he has a bruising battle with Yukihira’s men. He must then confront his own son, who is on the enemy’s side.
Ariwara Yukihira
Grandson of an emperor and son of a minor prince, but has renounced his imperial status. He becomes involved in a fight between his uncles over the throne and is exiled to Suma. He is later pardoned and returns to the capital. He feigns illness over a woman he met during his exile. Suspecting Rampei’s motives, he employs him as a strategy.
Yomosaku, actually Oe Otondo
Farmer living in a village on the outskirts of Kyoto. He is married to Oriku. When presented to Yukihira, he pretends to be the brother of Yukihira’s lover. He later tricks Rampei into believing they are siblings through the use of a stolen sword in order to expose Rampei’s true identity. He turns out in the end to be Oe Otondo.
Oriku, actually Akashi
Yomosaku’s wife. She works at a teahouse. She is called to the palace and asked to pretend to be Yukihira’s lover Matsukaze, who she strongly resembles. She struggles to play the part. In reality, she is Oe Otondo’s wife Akashi.
Lady Minase
Yukihira’s wife. In order to cheer up her husband after his return from exile, she orders Rampei to bring a girl who looks like her husband’s former lover Matsukaze. This marks the beginning of the scheme against Rampei.
Shigezo
Rampei’s son. He originally served as a servant to Yukihira, but after capturing a fugitive, he was rewarded with promotion to soldier. His first mission ironically was to capture his own father.
