Ichimonji Hidetora
Ichimonji is a warlord who has ruled over the region for many years. He has spent a lifetime at war, spilling blood in order to grow his power. Now 70, he has decided to hand over the power to his eldest son, Taro. He expects continued respect and due authority, and is surprised when Taro strips him of his power. In the absence of a safe home, Ichimonji goes mad, wandering the countryside and reckoning with his past misdeeds. By the end, he is reunited with his only truly loyal son, Saburo, but they both meet tragic ends.
Taro
Taro is Ichimonji's oldest son. He is given authority over the region by his father, but is easily manipulated by his wife, Kaede, into usurping all power from his father. Taro is portrayed as weak-willed and power-hungry, unable to be a noble and strong ruler.
Kaede
Kaede is Taro's wife. Her family was murdered by Ichimonji many years ago, and she resents her husband's family for the violence they have inflicted on her people. She manipulates Taro into having his father sign a blood pledge that will limit his authority. After Taro's death, she sleeps with Jiro and begins to manipulate him into going into battle and having his wife killed. Kaede is an especially malevolent influence, often manipulating using sex and emasculation, but her desire for revenge is motivated by her own grief and traumatic past.
Jiro
Jiro is the second eldest son of Ichimonji. He takes the throne after having his older brother Taro killed. Jiro then has an affair with Kaede, his brother's widow, and sentences his own wife to be killed in order for them to be together. Jiro proves just as power-hungry, ruthless, and easily manipulated as his older brother Taro, and ultimately loses his kingdom to Ayabe's army.
Saburo
Saburo is Ichimonji's youngest son, and the only one who cares about his father's well-being. He adamantly opposes his father giving authority to Taro, as he does not believe his older brother will try to rule in peace. After speaking out against his father—even though he is trying to help his father make the right decision—Saburo is banished from the kingdom. Still, he remains loyal, and tries to find ways to protect his father from the malice of his two brothers.
Tango
Tango is Ichimonji's loyal servant who, even after getting banished along with Saburo for speaking out against the ascension of Taro, comes back to Ichimonji professing his undying loyalty.
Kyoami
Kyoami is Ichimonji's androgynous fool. He often makes fun of the courtly intrigue, but ultimately is a loyal servant to Ichimonji, accompanying him on his journey through the wilderness.
Sué
Sué is Jiro's wife, a sad and meek woman whose family was killed by Ichimonji's soldiers long ago. She refuses to be angry about her sorry fate and chooses instead to put her faith in the Buddha.
Tsurumaru
Tsurumaru is Sué's brother, who was blinded in the massacre that killed their family. He now lives as a peasant in the countryside, and his only solace is playing the flute.
Kurogane
Kurogane is Jiro's main advisor and a military commander. He tries to warn Jiro about Kaede's manipulative ways, but Jiro does not believe him until it is too late.
