Part 180

Explore the lore and characters of Nioh in Part 180, detailing Ieyasu's victory, Honda Tadakatsu's prowess, Fuku's Onmyo magic, and Tenkai's mysterious past.

At the conclusion of the fighting, Ieyasu's victory was uncontested. This was partly because of William and Tenkai's efforts combined with Mitsunari's misuse of Amrita, but that side of things would remain secret forever.

Ieyasu's victory at the Battle of Sekigahara made him the ruler of all Japan. However, there was still much to be done. One task was the complete erasure of the existence of Amrita from the record. Those who fell at Sekigahara were another burden to Ieyasu, but he continued to press forward. Peace under heaven was almost a reality.

CHARACTER ENTRY: HONDA TADAKATSU

Honda Tadakatsu is a general under Tokugawa Ieyasu. Commonly known as Heihachiro, he was regarded as one of the Four Celestial Kings who had contributed the most to Tokugawa's campaign of conquest. Tadakatsu came from a long line of retainers to the Tokugawa clan, but his dazzling martial skills put him ahead of the pack. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, his fighting during retreat stunned the enemy, who singled him out among Ieyasu's men as worthy of respect. What's more, despite participating in countless battles over the course of his life, he was such a skilled tactician that he was said to have never been injured. His courageous use of small forces to draw out the enemy army and protect his allies was just one of the things that led to Toyotomi Hideyoshi himself declaring that Tadakatsu had no equal in eastern Japan.

Tadakatsu boasted greater strength than any of his rivals, and always felt mild dissatisfaction when a battle came to an end. The more worthy rivals he defeated, the greater this feeling became; at the same time, he became less excited on the battlefield itself. This was when Tadakatsu met William, and in the Englishman he sensed something of those worthy rivals of old. Lacking the strength to battle yokai himself, Tadakatsu relies on William, but deep in his heart he is strongly interested in William's battle.

Tadakatsu, a fierce general, is said to have taken joy in the battle against Takeda's forces, known for their valor and daring. Takeda's army, in turn, rated Tadakatsu highly: the two considered each other honorable rivals. Indeed, after the battle of Nagashino, Tadakatsu is said to have lamented the loss of the Takeda clan's bravest warriors.

Despite leading only minimal forces at the Battle of Sekigahara, Tadakatsu made a flying squadron of his men and defeated many enemies. When praised by an allied general after the battle, he is said to have replied, "It is not that I was a good leader; the enemy was simply too weak." Tadakatsu continued to serve Ieyasu loyally after the battle, proving a skilled politician and wise ruler as well as a formidable warrior.

CHARACTER ENTRY: FUKU

Fuku is a female Onmyo mage. Well versed in natural philosophy, astronomy, and the calendar, she has mastered the mystical Way of Onmyo. She can manipulate the four Onmyo elements of earth, water, wind, and fire - not unlike those of alchemy - and also summon magical servants known as "Shikigami" to do her bidding. Rumor has it that she can call down the Twelve Celestial Generals from their homes in the stars and even slay the pestilential gods that cause natural disasters - but the truth is shrouded in mystery...

Sensing a growing imbalance in the spirit-stones and yokai activity, Fuku had been visiting Dazaifu to investigate further. There she met William, and, recognizing his power, introduced him to the Way of Onmyo. Polite and reserved in conversation, she nevertheless has the steely core one would expect of the daughter of a samurai.

Eventually, Fuku's achievements amid the chaos of war will be recognized by Ieyasu, who will employ her as a wet nurse to the shogunal house. She is married to one of Kobayakawa Hideaki's inner circle, and it is said that she was the one who convinced Hideaki to switch to Tokugawa's side at the Battle of Sekigahara. This marriage will end in divorce due to the summons from the house of the shogun, but eventually she will receive the title of "Lady Kasuga" from the imperial court and take over the running of the women's quarters there. At the same time, she continue to support the Edo shogunate alongside Tenkai as an Onmyo mage.

CHARACTER ENTRY: TENKAI

Tenkai is a monk at Muryojuju-kitaiin Temple in Kawagoe, Musashi province (present-day Saitama prefecture). His early life is shrouded in mystery, but after taking orders he studied at va