Character Guide

This page is a list of all the characters who appear in Kaze Hikaru.

Main Characters

 * Tominaga Sei (富永セイ)
 * Born the daughter of a ronin who left the shogun's service to become a doctor, Sei loses her father and older brother Yuma to a Chōshū attack and joins the Miburōshi (later renamed the Shinsengumi) disguised as a boy named "Kamiya Seizaburo" to avenge them. Her true identity is soon discovered by Okita Souji, who promises to keep it a secret. She chooses to stay with the Shinsengumi even after achieving her revenge due to her love for Okita and her loyalty to the group and their goals.


 * Okita Souji (沖田総司)
 * A skilled swordsman and officer of the Shinsengumi, Souji has a carefree personality and a friendly, often child-like disposition. He is the first to discover that Kamiya Seizaburo is actually a girl named Tominaga Sei. Souji originally wanted her to go back to a normal girl's life due to the brutality of the life of a Samurai, and he often tries to convince her to do so whenever situations that he doesn't think she can handle arise. In contrast to this mentality, he often sees her as a boy, sometimes even forgetting that she is a girl, which Sei is both irritated by and grateful for. As Sei's mentor, he trains her, and is not afraid to be strict or at times, even cold towards her if he feels she needs it, but he is more often found hugging, teasing or being silly around her, and is in fact noted to be "too soft" on her by his peers.


 * Hijikata Toshizo (土方歳三)
 * Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi, called an oni (demon) for his high standards and harsh punishments for anyone who breaks them. In reality, he is playing "bad cop" to Kondo Isami's "good cop." Hijikata's softer side is seen in his love of writing poetry and his fierce loyalty to Kondo. Hijikata often argues with Sei, and Okita has commented that Hijikata and Sei have similar personalities, which neither of them is willing to acknowledge.


 * Kondo Isami (近藤勇)
 * Commander of the Shinsengumi. He is a kind, gentle man who cares about his men and is sometimes too soft to enact harsh punishments. When Okita was 9, he was sent to live within Kondo's household as his family could no longer care for him. Kondo recognized and understood the young boy's discomfort and insecurity with living with a new family and welcomed him warmly. He served as Okita's mentor, older brother, and at times, even father, while Okita was growing up. Okita is grateful to him and extremely loyal to the point of vowing that he'd commit seppuku should Kondo die.


 * Saitou Hajime (斎藤一)
 * Captain of the 3rd Troop. Saito bears an uncanny resemblance to Sei's deceased brother (and his friend) Yuma, which inspires her to address him as "ani-ue." Level-headed and mature, with combat skills that rival Okita's, Saito serves as a spy for Aizu and sometimes the Shinsengumi. Saito comes off to others as laconic, bland, and serious, but he has a dry sense of humor. He falls in love with "Kamiya Seizaburo," and after discovering that Sei is a girl, wants to marry her.


 * Akesato (明里)
 * A prostitute in Shimabara who was once an entertainer in Gion and the lover of Tominaga Sei's older brother Yuuma. After Yuuma's death, she was forced to sell herself into prostitution when her father became ill, leaving him unable to work. A kind and gentle woman, she is the second person to realize that "Kamiya Seizaburo" is actually a girl in disguise. Akesato proves invaluable to Sei, helping her with her "womanly" matters while also pretending to be "his" lover. She and Yamanami Keisuke later develop a deep, loving relationship, which is unfortunately destined to end in disaster.

Other Shinsengumi Officers

 * Serizawa Kamo (芹沢鴨)
 * The bumbling, brash and insensitive co-founder of the Shinsengumi, Serizawa's violent temper and drunkenness causes chaos within the troop and ultimately leads to his end.


 * Niimi Nishiki (新見錦)
 * One of the original 13 members of the Shinsengumi and a man of few words, Niimi dutifully follows Serizawa Kamo's every command as his vice captain.


 * Yamanami Keisuke (山南敬助)
 * Originally one of the vice captains, when his persistent health problems prevent him from doing his duties, he is "promoted" to the rank of chief. He becomes involved with Kamiya Seizaburo's "lover" Akesato, who tells him Sei's secret.


 * Nagakura Shinpachi (永倉新八)
 * Captain of the 2nd Troop. Born into a prestigious family, Nagakura left his clan and purposely dresses and acts below his class to spite those who are called bushi only due to their birth.


 * Inoue Genzanboro (井上源三郎)
 * Captain of the 6th Troop. Known as "Gen-san," he was formerly a student at the Shieikan and is one of the older Shinsengumi members.


 * Tani Sanjuro (谷三十郎)
 * Captain of the 7th Troop. A pedigreed bushi with a rough demeanor and harsh tactics, Tani believes that Tominaga Sei is a spy and goes to great lengths to prove it.


 * Todo Heisuke (藤堂 平助)
 * Captain of the 8th Troop. Todo is kind and friendly, and he holds a deep respect for Yamanami Keisuke. He's usually seen hanging around Harada Sanosuke, Nagakura Shinpachi and Inoue Genzanboro.


 * Miki Saburo (三木三郎)
 * Captain of the 9th Troop. Younger brother of Ito Kashitaro and a student of the Shinto Munen-Ryu, Miki is relentlessly abused by Ito because of his appearance and failures.


 * Harada Sanosuke (原田左之助)
 * Captain of the 10th Troop. A brash, rowdy young man with a scar across his abdomen from a failed seppuku attempt. Harada marries Sugawara Masa, with whom he has a son: Harada Shigeru.

Tominaga Family

 * Tominaga Genan
 * Husband of Kamiya Rin and the father of Tominaga Yuuma and Tominaga Sei, his steadfast dedication to become a great doctor led him to unintentionally ignore his family.


 * Kamiya Rin (神谷 凜）
 * Wife of Tominaga Genan and the mother of Yuuma and Sei, she supported her husband's ambition to become a doctor, even though his work often separated them for years at a time.


 * Tominaga Yuuma
 * The older brother of Tominaga Sei who was killed by rebels. Yuuma intended to join the Shinsengumi with his friend Saitou Hajime.


 * Tominaga Kaichiro
 * The adopted heir of the Tominaga family's estate, his place in the family becomes complicated when a true heir, Tominaga Yuuma, is born.

Okita Family

 * Okita Katujiro
 * A lowly bushi and father of Okita Souji, Okita Mitsu and Okita Kin. He falls ill and dies just a year after his son is born, leaving the family in poverty.


 * Nao
 * The hard-working mother of Okita Souji, Okita Mitsu and Okita Kin, she wants to ensure that, despite her family's circumstances, they all act like true bushi.


 * Okita Mitsu (沖田 みつ)
 * The no-nonsense eldest sister of Okita Souji. In order to support her family, she agrees to marry Inoue Rintaro at the tender age of 14.


 * Okita Kin
 * Okita Souji's second older sister, who is gentler and less stern than Mitsu. She marries Nakano Yoshihide, a wealthy lord, and moves to Edo when she is 17.


 * Inoue Rintaro
 * The gentle husband of Okita Mitsu. He becomes like an older brother to Okita Souji.

Minor Characters
This section is in order of appearance in the series.


 * Araki Sajuurou
 * A spy from the Choushuu clan who managed to briefly infiltrate the Shinsengumi. Araki's true identity is revealed when he attempts to leave the troop. He is killed by Okita Souji.


 * Yagi Tamesaburo &amp; Yuunosuke
 * Two young brothers who live in the same neighborhood as the Shinsengumi headquarters. Energetic and mischievous, they originally hate the Shinsengumi but later become good friends with Okita Souji and Tominaga Sei.


 * Yamashiro Kanji
 * A lazy new recruit from Osaka who immediately falls for Tominaga Sei. His plan to gain "his" affections nearly ends up costing Kanji his life.


 * Shinkichi
 * A fish merchant's son who joined the Shinsengumi with Yamashiro Kanji. He's often pulled into Kanji's outlandish schemes.


 *  Kin (Kohana)
 * A prostitute who works alongside Akesato in Shimabara. Known professionally as "Kohana", she's favored by Okita Souji, though not for the reason everyone assumes.


 * Sayo (沙代)
 * A young woman in Osaka who works in a teahouse and an old friend of Yamashiro Kanji. She's currently expecting a child.


 * Hatogi Toshiro
 * The father of Sayo's unborn child who works as a carpenter. His past catches up to him when he and Tominaga Sei meet in Osaka.


 * Ume (梅)
 * A beautiful, yet stern, young woman who is sent to collect debts by the man she claims to be her husband. Serizawa Kamo is instantly smitten by her, though she is uninterested.


 * Hishiya Tahei
 * A merchant who uses his charming mistress Ume to seduce his male customers into settling any debts they owe to his store.


 * Tagami Matajiro
 * A 19-year-old new recruit who has little skill as a swordsman but has a big mouth nonetheless. His tendency to speak brashly without thinking causes Tominaga Sei to find him annoying.


 * Tachibana Jugo
 * Assistant to Yamanami Keisuke, known among his comrades as the troop "beauty". Tachibana has little time for the love-struck men around him, instead focusing on other, more sinister, things.


 * Mino
 * The daughter of Denroku, she works with her father in his hairdresser's shop and as a spy for the Shinsengumi.


 * Denroku
 * A shop keeper and the father of Mino who helps the Shinsengumi gather information.


 * Yamazaki Susumu
 * A spy for the Shinsengumi who is known by many names and has many occupations, he works alongside Mino.


 * Kiku (菊)
 * The soft-spoken daughter of a merchant, Kiku is married to Kichijiro but has a crush on Okita Souji.


 * Toshodo
 * A katana merchant whose prolonged illness forced him to marry off his daughter Kiku, though he now regrets the decision.


 * Kichijiro
 * The sour husband of Kiku who married into a business he actually knows nothing about.


 * Yukiya
 * A kagema (an aspiring male actor who would also sell their bodies) with a leg injury that prevents him from ever being on stage, Yukiya falls for Saitou Hajime.


 * Shimazaki Shusai
 * Master of the Shieikan, adoptive father of Kondo Isami and husband of Oei. Shusai was a kind man who helped perfect Okita Souji's swordsmanship when he was a young boy.


 * Oei
 * The demanding madam of the Ten'nen Rishin-Ryu Dojo, her hatred for Okita Souji is clear from the moment he arrives. Though behind her cold exterior, Oei's hides a secret that causes her to hate Soji so much.


 * Kimicho
 * A prostitute in Shimabara who is favored for a while by Kondo Isami.


 * Nakaya Oshino
 * Older sister to Hinosuke, a Shinsengumi member who was sentenced to death for violating the troop regulations. Oshino attempts to get revenge on Hijikata Toshizo, but fails and kills herself.


 * Furukawa Seiemon
 * The personal blacksmith to a powerful lord who lost his desire to make katana, Furukawa gains back his passion after falling in love with Hijikata Toshizo. He originally gives his name as "Furukawa Tomoya".


 * Akiyoshi
 * A Choshuu rebel who escaped from the Ikedaya Affair, he becomes obsessed with Tominaga Sei due to the ferocity she showed in battle and tries repeatedly to kill the "hand slot string ashura."


 * Katsura Kogoro
 * A Choshuu leader


 * Mabo
 * A young boy who loses his parents in a city-wide fire, he is later taken in by Yamanami Keisuke and Akesato.


 * Mabo's Mother
 * A young women who is hesitant to help the Shinsengumi and get her family involved. She and her husband die in a fire.


 * Shizu
 * The young attendant of Akesato, she works to keep her mistress' clients from going astray.


 * Nakigawa
 * The head guard at Rotsukaku prison, which contains a number of rebels that are waiting to be interrogated. When a great fire breaks out, he makes the decision to have the prisoners murdered.


 * Oyu
 * A young woman left homeless and destitute after a great fire sweeps through city, she sells herself to Shimabara to make a living.


 * Komano
 * A gentle, beautiful young woman who was a Geisha at Sanbongi. Komano becomes the mistress of Kondo Isami after he buys her freedom.


 * Shinosuke
 * An awkward young man who is actually Komano's lover.


 * Sae
 * A young maid who served Kondo Isami's wife several years ago. She asked Okita Souji to marry her, and when he rejected her proposal, she tried (but failed) to kill herself. She later marries and has a daughter.


 * Utsumi Jiro
 * Close friend and right-hand man of Ito Kashitaro, he is sensible and tries to talk some sense into Ito's often lavish plans.


 * Kano Washio
 * Another friend of Ito Kashitaros who is a master of Oshima-Ryu spearing. He tends to stick up for Miki Saburo.


 * Mrs. Yagi
 * The kind wife of Yagi Gennoujo and mother of Tamesaburo &amp; Yuunosuke.


 * Matsumoto Ryojun
 * A light-hearted doctor of Western medicine who was friends with Sei's father.


 * Akesato's Family
 * Her father, Hideshi, worked as a fisherman in Otsu. After he falls ill, Akesato turns to prostitute in order to support her family. She has four younger siblings, two of whom are named Choshichi and Omatsu.


 * Sae's Husband
 * A kind and gentle man embroiled in an argument with his mother, who believes Sae is barren and should be sent away.


 * Suzuki Senamon
 * Father of Ito Kashitaro and Miki Saburo. Senamon a regional official who fell victim to false rumors that ended up in him being placed under house arrest.


 * Mrs. Suzuki
 * Described as a great beauty, Mrs. Suzuki was a stern mother who would not tolerate failure. She was extremely proud of her eldest son, Ito.


 * Gin
 * An elderly, yet feisty, woman who serves the ladies of Honganji. Though several decades older, she is instantly smitten by Ito Kashitaro, who resembles her late husband.


 * Ito Ume
 * The beautiful, but unfortunately neglected, young wife of Ito Kashitaro.


 * Matsui Tsune
 * The dutiful wife of Kondo Isami; she is considered ugly, which is why she married later than most women and to a man socially beneath her.


 * Nakamura Goro
 * A new recruit from Edo who's determined to prove that Tominaga Sei is actually a girl.


 * Nanbu Seiichiro
 * An Aizu clan doctor and friend of Matsumoto Ryojun.


 * Chiyo
 * Maid and friend to Sugawara Masa.


 * Sugawara Masa
 * A young girl with freckles and frizzy hair, Masa considers herself ugly. A chance encounter with Harada Sanosuke in the public toilets leads to a whirlwind happy ending for the two.


 * Masa's Family
 * A distinguished katana merchant, Masa's father, Sugawara Chobe, has since passed away, leaving the store to his son, also named Chobe. He relentlessly teases his younger sister Masa for her appearance, as she is no great beauty like their sister is.


 * Hijikata's Family
 * After tuberculosis claimed the lives of his father, mother and two siblings, Hijikata Toshizo, the youngest in the family, was raised by his five remaining older siblings.


 * Namiji
 * A young boy who works as an assistant in Yukiya's teahouse.


 * Tanaka Hatsune
 * The young daughter of a doctor, she requests that her father arrange a marriage between herself and Okita Souji after the latter saves her from some thieves.


 * Tanaka Kensho
 * A Western medicine doctor who serves an aristocratic family and father of Hatsune.


 * Okoto
 * The daughter of a Shamisen store owner, she was engaged to Hijikata Toshizo until he broke off the marriage.


 * Sayama Yoshiro
 * A member of the Third Troop who is sentenced to seppuku for having an affair with a merchant's wife.


 * Miyuki Dayu
 * An elegant high-class entertainer from Osaka, her grace in the face of danger causes Kondo Isami to fall in love with her.


 * Oyuki
 * The four-year-old daughter of Kin.


 * Hanaka Tayu
 * The mistress of Ito Kashitaro, who describes her as a "foolish broad".


 * Midori
 * A young child who works as the assistant of Kin (Kohana), much like Shizu.


 * Shonosuke
 * Former husband of Kin; his mother found out that Kin had lied about her lineage and forced the couple to dissolve the marriage.


 * Tokugawa Ieomochi (徳川 家茂)
 * The 14th shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, he is only twenty years old when foreign traders arrive at Japanese ports. His kind character makes him well liked by those who served him.


 * Hitotsubachi Yoshinobu
 * The 15th shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. Disliked by those around him because of his quick wit and immunity to persuasion, Yoshinobu is considered the exact opposite of Ieomochi. He goes by the name "Ukinosuke" while undercover.


 * Matsudaira Katamori (松平 容保)
 * A Kyoto military advisor and master of the Shinsengumi, he also assists the 14th Shogun. Katamori is unfortunately prone to illness.


 * Tani Mantaro
 * The younger, kinder brother of Tani Sanjuro, who worked as a dojo instructor while secretly acting as a spy in Osaka for the Shinsengumi.


 * Ryou (龍)
 * Under the name Haru (春), she works at an inn run by her adoptive mother, Tose, Haru finds Sei collapsed outside the inn and helps her return to health. She's in a relationship with Sakamoto Ryouma.


 * Yohei
 * A Western-style photographer from Osakaya who was beaten up and robbed by thieves who claimed to be members of the Shinsengumi. After they clarify the matter, he takes a photograph of Okita Souji and Tominaga Sei together.


 * Tose (うち)
 * Mistress of a sailor's inn named Funayado Teradaya and Haru's adoptive mother.


 * Sakamoto Ryouma (坂本龍馬)
 * Allegedly an assassin from the Tosa providence, during Sei's first solo mission she discovers that he is hiding under the identity of Saitani Umetaro (才谷 梅太郎) at the Teredaya; however, he is not an assassin but a polemicist and a gun runner.