Mrs. Suzuki

Mrs. Suzuki is the mother of Suzuki Okura (now known as Ito Kashitaro) and Suzuki Tamon (now known as Miki Saburo and the wife of Suzuki Senenmon.

Story
Not much is known about the mother of Ito and Saburo, as she only appears in a flashback in Volume 13. Her husband, Suzuki Senenmon, was a regional official which made him the target of vicious yet untrue rumors. His wife, who is unnamed in the series, was a great beauty with a stern resolve and a no-nonsense attitude. Ito, her eldest son, was a perfect carbon copy of her.

With their father under house arrest, Ito asked his mother to let him study in Mito. She agreed, proud that her son was growing up into a true bushi - though her youngest son, Saburo, was in tears as his brother left.

When Senenmon was released, he started a small school where Saburo trained. Unfortunately, not long after that Senemon passed away, and Ito quickly took over.

In 1853, Ito was informed of the “black ships” (the American fleet seeking trade with Japan) and begged his mother to let him go. She relented, in tears, and he promised her that he would return alive. Crushed, Saburo steadfastly waited for his brother’s return, wile taking over his father's school.

Under Saburo's teachings, the school was eventually forced to close as the locals saw no threat of war. Considered a failure, he was soon adopted by a kind family, though spent his time drinking with friends. Saburo's adoptive parents finally disowned him. Though Saburo attempted to return to his mother's home, she promptly threw him out, claiming that she was no longer his mother.