Characters
Tamate Gozen
The daughter of Gappo Doshin. Previously a maid to the Takayasu household, she marries her master, Lord Takayasu of Kawachi Province, after his wife’s death. She is barely 20 and only a few years older than her stepson Shuntokumaru. She pretends to lust after her son for reasons, revealed later, that reflect her deep compassion for both her stepchildren.
Gappo Doshin
The son of the famous samurai Aoto Fujitsuna. He lost his position due to malicious rumors, but retains the heart of a samurai: he saves Shuntokumaru and Princess Asaka from an attack at a temple, while his strict values lead him to reject Tamate Gozen’s immoral love.
Shuntokumaru
Son of Lord Takayasu and the lord’s first wife. He was targeted by his illegitimate stepbrother Jiromaru. Ashamed of his deformed face and his stepmother’s illicit love, he has escaped his home. He leaves a will granting his household rights to Jiromaru and leads a poor life in a distant grass hut.
Princess Asaka
Shuntokumaru’s fiancée. She loves Shuntokumaru deeply despite his serious illness but is being seduced by Jiromaru. She follows Shuntokumaru to Mandai Pond, where they are attacked by Jiromaru. They are saved by Gappo and Irihei and are given refuge in Gappo’s quarters.
Otoku
Gappo’s wife and Tamate Gozen’s mother. She thinks her daughter is dead and prays for her soul despite the daughter’s alleged misdeeds. When the daughter turns up alive, she allows her into the home over her husband’s objections.
Irihei
Servant in Princess Asaka’s household. He guards and assists her during her search for her fiancé. He is attacked at Mandai Pond and is separated from her, but manages to reach Gappo’s home.
