Characters
Sasaki Moritsuna
Intelligent and compassionate warrior. Moritsuna, who is with the Kamakura forces, finds himself fighting his younger brother Takatsuna on the Kyoto side. At Tokimasa’s order, he is forced to inspect the head that supposedly belongs to his slain brother.
Wada Hidemori
The head samurai on the Kyoto side, known as an extraordinary warrior. In mid battle, he goes fearlessly into the opponent’s camp and demands the release of Takatsuna’s only son.
Hojo Tokimasa
Head of the Kamakura forces. He orders Moritsuna to keep Takatsuna’s son alive as hostage. He is depicted as crafty and vicious.
Mimyo
Mother of Moritsuna and Takatsuna. Her emotions are complicated after Moritsuna’s son captures Takatsuna’s son. She is asked by Moritsuna to encourage the latter to commit suicide. She makes a resolute decision as a woman of samurai stock.
Kagaribi
Takatsuna’s wife and Koshiro’s mother. To rescue her captive son, she disguises herself as a lower-ranked fighter, slips into Moritsuna’s camp, and tries to communicate with her child by firing an arrow with a letter.
Hayase
Moritsuna’s wife and Kosaburo’s mother. She discovers Kagaribi’s letter and fires one back asking the latter to await the right opportunity.
Koshiro
Son of Takatsuna and Kagaribi. This is his first battle. He is captured intentionally by his cousin due to his father’s strategy and taken to Moritsuna’s camp. When his grandmother tells him to commit suicide, he begs for mercy, but immediately cuts his stomach open when the sees the head that is brought in for inspection.
Kosaburo
Son of Moritsuna and Hayase. This is also his first battle. He succeeds in capturing his cousin Koshiro.
Shigaraki Taro and Ibuki Tota
War reporters who come to Moritsuna’s camp to tell of the enemy’s situation and other circumstances. Shigaraki is fearless and violent, while Ibuki is a more comical figure who helps lighten the serious mood.
Sasaki Takatsuna
Does not appear in this scene. A warrior well known as a quick-adapting strategist. He confuses his brother Moritsuna and other Kamakura forces through various measures.
