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T he following characters appear throughout this series.

Akechi-gō: Samurai training at Suwa Temple

Akira Aiya: The Emperor’s Grandmother

Akira Haru: Emperor Takashi’s Third Son

Akira Katashi: Kansatsushi (Imperial Inspector)

Akira Kioshi: The Crown Prince

Akira Mana: Emperor Takashi’s Wife, The Empress

Akira Rei: Chief Samurai to Emperor

Akira Yuuki: Emperor’s Spymaster

Akira Ryuji: Dai Shogun for Imperial Armies

Akira Sakura: Emperor Takashi’s Daughter

Akira Satoshi: Daijo-daijin (Grand Minister of State)

Akira Taiyo: The Emperor’s Second Son (died age six)

Akira Takashi: The Emperor

Akira Teruma: Head of Royal Guard

Akira Tozen: Jodai for Imperial Household

Anzu Hiroki: Daimyo of Anzu Han

Anzu Jun: First daughter of Hiroki and Kita

Anzu Kibo: Second daughter of Hiroki and Kita

Anzu Kita: Wife of Anzu Hiroki

Anzu Kura: Jodai (castellan) of household of Anzu Hiroki

Anzu Seiichi: Deputy Daimyo of Anzu; Hiroki’s brother

Anzu Takeo: Chief Samurai of Anzu; brother of Kita

Anzu Tashiro: Second son of Hiroki and Kita

Anzu Yoshi: First son of Hiroki and Kita

Asami Daisuke: Husband of Eiko

Asami Eiko: Daimyo of Asami Han

Asami Hajime: First son of Eiko and Daisuke

Asami Katsumi: First daughter of Eiko and Daisuke

Asami Kiko: Second daughter of Eiko and Daisuke

Asami Kitaro: Hatamoto to Asami

Asami Koemi: Third daughter of Eiko and Daisuke

Asami Michi: Jodai to Asami; sister of Eiko

Asami Souma: Daimyo of Han Asami before Eiko; Eiko’s father

Bending Willow: Shinto Priest at Ashina Shrine

Bright Star: Shinto Priest at Ashina Shrine

Chi: Dragon of Haru Tennō

Chiko: Imperial Scout

Chinami Nen: Samurai in Royal Guard

Chinami Ozuru: Sadaijin (Minister of the Left)

Cho Sadao: Udaijin (Minister of the Right)

Date: Samurai training at Temple Suwa

Edu Misumi: Geisha in the House of Petals

Esumi-gō: Samurai training at Temple Suwa

Fujita Kichi: Leader of wakō, Taichou of The Emperor’s Worm

Giichi: Senior Buddhist Sōhei at Temple Suwa

Gin: Uneme (Personal servant to Emperor leader of Ninjas

Hiromi Kaneko: Childhood friend of Anzu Yoshi

Irie: Herb Woman in wakō village

Ishino: Gūji of Hotta Shrine (Shinto)

Jereth: Buddhist Sōhei at Suwa Temple

Junko: The Emperor’s Concubine

Kaito: Imperial Scout

Kazashita: Kichi’s first mate on The Emperor’s Worm

Kohana Goro: Jisha-bugyo (Minister of Rites)

Midori Miki: Geisha in the House of Petals

Naru-gō: Samurai training at Suwa Temple

Nawa: Emperor Takashi’s dragon; literal translation “rope”

Noble Crane: Gūji at Ashina Shrine

Saburo: Gardener in household of Anzu Hiroki

Shin: Imperial Magician

Shiniku: Kichi’s Wind Walker on The Emperor’s Worm

Soaring Hawk: Gūji of Shrine Kiso

Taga: Amaterasu’s chamber servant & closest friend

Toshi Monterio: Samurai in Royal Guard

Ushi: Kichi’s muscle/enforcer on The Emperor’s Worm

Yubi Momoko: Mistress of the House of Petals, a Geisha House in Bara

Yumi Chiasa: Kanjo bugyo (Minister of Finance)

Yumi Ryozo: Samurai in Royal Guard

Yumi Takai: Palace Gardener