Haruhisa Shimazu

Haruhisa Shimazu (, Shimazu Haruhisa) is the first born son of the Shimazu Bushi's leader and the older brother of Akihiro Shimazu and Natsuki Shimazu. He, along with his brothers, joined the Uesugi Alliance in the war against Yamata no Orochi to prove their worth. In the liberation of Awaji Island he served under the Shimazu Platoon.

Appearance
Haruhisa is a young man of average height with medium-length orange hair that he braids. He has purple eyes and like his clan members, he wears a piercing. His attire consists of a light-colored shirt and a dark-blue, undivided hakama. He wears shin guards, that are made of iron plates attached on cloth. His Kitetsu Swords are fixed on his platformed sandals. While he was serving under the Uesugi Alliance he wore the uniform of the White Corps, a white cape with the Uesugi mon on the back.

Awaji Island Recapture Operation Arc
At Harima port, as the Uesugi Alliance gather, Haruhisa asks Natsuki if he remembers what their father said and Natsuki confirms its that whoever takes the Kishin horn in Awaji will be the next clan head. Fuyuie is sure that Akihiro can do it.

The Shimazu bushi are put in the same squad with the Amako bushi, Musashi and few others. Katsumi suggest they decide the leader with a battle and Shimazu choose Akihiro, who then easily defeats Katsumi and Musashi to become leader. Later, when the ship gets attacked by oni, the Shimazu link up and manage to defeat some oni. Later, when Musashi and Michiru are suspected to be involved with the enemy, the Shimazu squad is left behind until Musashi's involvement is cleared, so is soon cleared as the enemy bushi attack and Musashi is revealed to be the Obsidian Goddess.

Later, Kuroko forms a plan and sends the Shimazu to assist Musashi and destroy the Yura Mine. As the Shimazu arrive, they see an oni protecting it and link up to destroy it. Shiro shows up, but so do Naotora and he defeats Shiro. As part of their next mission, they need to find and defeat the third enemy Bushi, however, Akihiro wishes that they destroy one of the Kishin's horn. Proceeding, they team up with other Bushi and see Yataro, who then states he merged with the Kishin and turns into an oni. The Shimazu attempt to link up to defeat it, but with his barrage from the swords, Yataro manages to always break their link. Akihiro grows inpatient and when Natsuki gets cut off, he just notes that he is always slow, however, Musashi comes and saves Natsuki. Musashi then proceeds to help other Shimazu, while also destroy swords, allowing them to finally link up with Akihiro, who then destroys the horn of the oni.

However, as that doesn't defeat the oni and it proceeds towards the Kishin, Musashi wants to form a plan and the Shimazu agree, revealing they have accepted him. Akihiro isn't looking happy and explains that they shouldn't be happy as they failed to kill the oni and now their comrades are in danger. Haruhisa gets angry and explains that Akihiro only cares about himself and getting the heir to the clan. He doesn't care about the rest and is fine if they die. As Akihiro confirms it, Haruhisa slaps him and states he won't be following him anymore. Akihiro takes something from his pocket and throws it out. Musashi picks it up and asks Fuyuie what it is and Fuyuie explains its a wooden piece used in planning battles, and that the Shimazu brothers did the same when they were young and shared their dreams. Haruhisa calls Musashi to be their final chain in the link and as they attempt to link up with him, Akihiro tries to steal the link, which only annoys the Shimazu for his greed. Musashi apologizes, stating he shouldn't have taken his place and that his dream is to defeat oni with his brothers. Recalling their past, Akihiro didn't want to be the final chain, but Haruhisa, Akihiro tells Musashi that he is wrong.

Kitetsu Sword
Haruhisa’s Kitetsu Sword is a two-piece weapon worn on his legs. It consists of two pivoted black blades, an inner and an outer blade, folding in and out of his sandals.

Powers & Abilities
Blue Sword Soul: Haruhisa has blue soul.

Etymology

 * The name Haruhisa means "spring" (春) (haru) and "long time" (久) (hisa).
 * The first character of his given name means "spring" (春, haru). In the name of his younger brothers, the first character also signifies a season.
 * The second character of his given name (久, hisa) is the same, as his father's, Takahisa. It implies Haruhisa was expected succeeding in the Shimazu Band of Bushi until the result of his Sword Test.

Trivia

 * Haruhisa ranked 43rd place in the manga's 1st Character Popularity Poll.
 * He and Tokisame and Tadayuki are double cousins, as they are cousins through both parents.