Kojiro Kanemaki

Kojiro Kanemaki (, Kanemaki Kojirō) is the deuteragonist of the manga Orient. He is the childhood best friend of Musashi and the captain of the Kanemaki Bushi. His and Musashi's goal is to form the greatest Band of Bushi ever.

Appearance
Kojiro is a lean young man with average height and build. He has yellow eyes and short, spiky blond hair. He initially wears a light-colored kimono with a color-matching hakama. He is always carrying around a sword which was given to him by his late father, Jisai Kanemaki, along with his own Kitetsu Sword.

Personality
Kojiro is a kind person and cares about his friends. Since his father's death, he had to take care of himself and became self-sufficient from a very young age. His resourcefulness comes in handy when he strategizes during fights. He can be little competitive with Musashi, and also has the tendency to compare himself with his friend, leading to him gaining an inferiority complex and doubting his own abilities and competence.

History
Kojiro lived with his father in the outskirt of Tatsuyama Town. They were treated inhumanly and were constantly bullied by the villagers who were influenced by the Oni worshippers. However, one day, while Kojiro was practicing his swordsmanship, young Musashi came there and was fascinated by his fencing skills. Soon after, Musashi became Kojiro's one and only friend from the town, which made him very happy. After the death of Musashi's parents, the boy was taken into the Kanemaki household, where the three of them lived humbly but happily up until Jisai's execution. After that, the boys got separated and Kojiro was left alone in the old hut. Even though he had to do odd-jobs to make a living, he grew up to an independent and handy young man.

Tatsuyama Town Arc
After school, Musashi visits Kojiro and shows him his pickaxe, which he calls sword for fighting oni and asks him to form a band and leave town with him. Kojiro refuses, stating that even Musashi no longer believes in that dream. Musashi leaves determined to prove him wrong, while Kojiro secretly wishes that Musashi have a normal life and don't suffer like him for being a Bushi.

The next day, Kojiro notices Musashi's school bag and his textbook. Seeing his textbook, he realizes that Musashi used the miner job as a way to practice his sword fighting skills and had never given up on his dream. He rushes to the mines, picking Musashi's pickaxe on the way and manages to get in time to save Musashi from being killed by a nekomata oni. As Musashi kills the oni, a light comes from the sky and a Kishin appears. The two slice it, but the Kishin regenerates and turn assumes its true form, and easily knocks them down. The Kishin then grabs Kojiro's sword wanting to eat it, but Kojiro refuses to let it go. Recalling his past and how much he hated the sword for all the bullying it caused him, he recalls his father words that the sword is Bushi's pride and refuses to let it go. Eventually the Kishin plugs it out of Kojiro's hands and eats it. However, Musashi then gets on the Kishin and manages to break open its belly and retrieve the sword. As Kojiro realizes that Musashi knows what is important to him, he agrees to form a band with him.

Takeda Bushi then appear and surround the Kishin. Musashi believes they had already defeated the Kishin, but Naotora Takeda tells him a belly wound won't kill a Kishin and they witness the Kishin regenerating. Naotora tells them go somewhere safe and Kojiro agrees, however, Musashi doesn't wish to let them steal their first win and intends to fight the Kishin. Kojiro then sees the worshippers and forces them to tell him the Kishin weakness. He informs Musashi that the Kishin weakness is the horn on his belly, however Musashi fails to cut it and Naotora then comes and cuts it, saving Musashi and killing the Kishin.

Later they receive a crystal from Naotora, and as they inspect it, they learn its a kaleidoscope that leads to other Kishin. They also learn other secrets while looking at Jisai's scrolls. The next day, the two decide to leave town and find another Kishin to kill.

Kosameda Bushi Arc
Musashi and Kojiro head out for their adventure. However, they seen end up with no food and arguing with each other. As they start to fish, Kojiro gets beaten by a girl, Tsugumi Hattori. Musashi ends up fighting her, but doesn't fall for her tricks. Hearing a horn, Tsugumi takes their bike and returns to Kosameda Castle. Musashi and Kojiro follow the tracks to the castle, realizing its a Bushi band castle. As they enter, they meet Tsugumi again, who shows them around to meet the townspeople and eventually to join Hideo Kosameda, the captain of Kosameda Bushi, for dinner. Hideo assumes they are strong Bushi and wishes they to help him fight roaming oni, but as he learns they are beginners, he gets angry and imprisons them.

Musashi and Kojiro manage to escape, but see a large group of Kodama Oni heading towards the castle. They find Tsugumi, who agrees to lead them to their weapons if they help her with something. After getting their weapons, she leads them to a square when Hideo had gathered all the townspeople and wishes them to fight against the oni. Musashi tells Kojiro to make a plan and after that they throw smoke bombs at the square, and while Tsugumi distracts Hideo, Musashi and Kojiro manage to knock out the guards, however the people still doesn't wish to rush as they fear Hideo. Tsugumi then fights and defeats Hideo, giving courage to the people to escape the castle. As she stayed to keep Hideo, the oni are reaching the castle and she can't escape in time. Musashi and Kojiro then come with their bike and grab them, helping them escape the oni while the castle is getting destroyed. The villagers asks Musashi and Kojiro to take Tsugumi to save her from Hideo. Initially, she doesn't want to, but in the end agrees in order to avoid hurting the villagers in the future if Hideo ends up controlling her again.

Daito Mine Arc
Tsugumi acts weird, causing Musashi and Kojiro to wonder what to do, but she then reveals she wanted to be friends and didn't know how to do that. They understand her and clear the situation, stating they are already friends. Later an oni steals Kojiro's blade and Musashi retrieves it, using a Kitetsu Blade. Not knowing what that is, Tsugumi reveals is a weapon made of Kitetsu and that its the only way to cut an oni's horn. Musashi and Kojiro believe its hard to obtain, but Tsugumi tells them there are merchants that sell and leads them to the merchants.

As they still haven't decided on a band name, Tsugumi tells them they need to choose a captain as well. Musashi then suggests its Kojiro as all the band names are based on the family name of the captain and Musashi doesn't have a family name. Kojiro is surprised, but Musashi only wishes to be together and fulfil their dream.

The auction for the Kitetsu Blades starts and Ryuzoji Band show their swords. Musashi wonders how to choose, and Mitsuru Osafune, head of the Ryuzoji Band band, tells him to go with the one he falls in love at first glance. Kojiro can't decide, but in the end chooses Vorpal Cherry Blossom sword. Mitsuru tells him to pick it up and he feels strange as there is a trial of acceptance. As he do, he feels weird, but manages to pass it and now feels the sword is part of him. Mitsuru explains him that his soul is blue and that there are five colors. Musashi then turns black and fails the trial, with Mitsuru stating he cannot wield a Kitetsu Sword. A Kishin appears and sends lesser oni. Using his new sword, Kojiro saves Musashi and other people, who thank him. The Bushi, along with Kojiro and Tsugumi, then head out towards the Kishin, leaving Musashi behind.

Heading towards the Kishin, Tsugumi wonders if it was good idea to leave Musashi behind. Kojiro explains there was nothing they could do for him. Instead of making things harder for him by telling him that he one day will be able to use a Kitetsu Blade, Kojiro decided to go ahead and figure the weakness of the Kishin for when Musashi joins them. Tsugumi wonders if who Musashi really is, believing he may have inherited a special power from his family. However, Kojiro explains Musashi parents were farmers and that disappoints Tsugumi. Kojiro then explains that he was the only Bushi child in the village and everyone avoided him, but not Musashi, who go interested in the swordsmanship. Tsugumi then can't figure out why the Kitetsu Blades scorn him as he is ordinary person.

The Bushi reach the Kishin, but see its head is missing. Tsugumi states it still must be alive as it haven't turned into Kitetsu. Kojiro searches for its horn, but as he can't find it, he guesses its likely on its missing head. Shiro shows up and confirms it, telling Kojiro he can make him into Kitetsu Blade just like Musashi. As he kills the Bushi, wanting to get their blades, the Bushi try fighting him, but fail and then attempt to run. Realizing that he is after him, Kojiro returns to the mountain top to give the Bushi a chance to escape. He attempts to fight Shiro, but is easily defeated. However, a moment before Shiro kills him, Musashi appears and Shiro steps aside to let Musashi and Tsugumi join Kojiro. As Nanao joins Shiro, Kojiro wonders why are they after him, but Musashi explains they are after him and not Kojiro, but he came to help them as Bushi fight together. Recalling his father telling him to fight for someone, Musashi, Kojiro and Tsugumi decide to fight Shiro and Nanao, but Nanao reveals they will be fighting only her. However, her Kitetsu Blade turns into seven flying swords and they are unable to reach her. Musashi suggests they break up her blades and Kojiro comes up with a plan.

Kojiro forms a plan knowing that Nanao will either attack him or Musashi, so he makes Musashi and Tsugumi run back. Nanao then attacks Musashi, not wanting to let him escape and Tsugumi has an easy time capturing Nanao's blade. Musashi then cuts part of Nanao's staff, breaking one of her blades. The group is happy of their success, but Shiro then decides to fight instead of Nanao. Using his Kitetsu Blade, he flips the ground and causes many Bushi to fall and die. Kojiro and the rest barely hold themselves, but Shiro ends up making them fall as well. As they fall, Obsidian Goddess inside Musashi grants him his power and takes over his body. She then starts drawing in blades energy and ends Shiro's technique, reverting the ground back and saving everyone. Kojiro realizes Musashi feels different and the Goddess explains that her power can attract or repel any attack. However, as she is exhausted, she will soon return inside Musashi to sleep and asks Kojiro if he will still fight with Musashi as they will continue to hunt him. Kojiro confirms and the Goddess gives him a kiss as thanks. The Goddess then defeats Shiro.

The next day, Musashi decides to retake the sword trial and Kojiro is sure that this time he will pass as the Goddess is no longer there. As Musashi passes, everyone gets excited, causing Kojiro to comment that people weren't that excited when he passed, but Tsugumi explains that Kojiro's color is blue, which is average, but Musashi's color is red, which is rare and powerful. Musashi then speaks with Kojiro in private and explains that the Goddess and Jisai know each other. The two then start to believe that Jisai has a connection to bushi outside of their town. Kojiro starts to think more about his father and regrets not talking more with him. He then wonders if he goes on the same path as his father, if he will be able to learn more about him. As the Bushi camp comes to an end, Kojiro gathers provisions and a map, and suggests they head east, to which the group agrees.

Awaji Island Recapture Operation Arc
The group passes through a forest, but end up attacked by Octopus Pot Oni. After Musashi saves them, they see that another person was captured by the oni, Michiru Saruwatari. As they join her to pass the forest, they learn that she is the head of Saruwatari Bushi under the Uesugi Alliance and is heading towards Harima port to slay a Kishin. They also learn about the Black Kishin, which is the first oni that came to Hinomoto and its current size is half of Hinomoto, blocking their path to east. Musashi and Kojiro check the scroll to see if the Black Kishin is mentioned and Tsugumi explains that each Bushi band have such scrolls and this one has seal of Uesugi Bushi. Realizing that Uesugi Bushi may know something about his father, Kojiro wishes to head to Harima port and the band agrees.

Musashi, Kojiro and Tsugumi arrive at Harima port. They locate the Uesugi Bushi, but Kanetatsu Naoe explains they can't meet with Tatsuomi Uesugi as he is too busy. After realizing they are outsiders, Kanetatsu wants them apprehended, and Akihiro Shimazu easily takes Musashi down. A helicopter which is Tatsuomi's Kitetsuki arrives and Naotora Takeda gets of it. Naotora acts like he doesn't know Musashi, but reveals he is joking and explains they are his subordinates. Tsugumi then tells them that Naotora is leader of the biggest Bushi band and one of the Five Grand Generals, which makes Kojiro and Musashi realize they have been underestimating him. While heading towards the Uesugi castle, Shunrai Yamamoto and Aoshi Sanada explain that they will be fighting one of the four Kishin that the Black Kishin gave birth to and its much bigger than the Kishin they know.

Reaching the castle, Musashi asks Tsugumi to lift him over the walls. However, Musashi gets caught and the three of them get send to the barracks.

Kojiro and Tsugumi are then places in a squad, which is one of the first that will step on the island and fight. They end up getting friends with other squad members and enjoy their time together.

When Musashi is suspected to be a spy, he is prepared to be executed. Kojiro and Tsugumi decide to save him and sneak and steal his sword, but the enemy attack and Musashi gets free. Later after the enemy attack, Musashi is asked to help the Uesugi and he agrees. While going with Kanetatsu, Kojiro tells them that their lives are at stake and if they want they can quit as their lives are more important than information about his father. Kanetatsu points out that Tsugumi is carrying something and guesses its Musashi's blade and Tsugumi and Kojiro explain they planned to save him. Musashi tells Kojiro that he has other reasons to fight, and its not just about his father anymore. Tsugumi decides to stay with them. They reach the mausoleum, where Kanetatsu shows them a treasure said to be able to active the goddess blood and reveals its her blood. Musashi didn't like the idea to drink it, but Kanetatsu forces him. However, as he didn't feel any change, the group then left the mausoleum.

Kojiro and Tsugumi's group get assigned to find and save Tatsuomi. After Orochi is defeated, they manage to find and save Tatsuomi. As they return, Musashi wants to save Michiru and heads down the mountain, where they find powered up Yataro who turned Michiru into a sword with powers similar to the Goddess. While Musashi fights Yataro, he ends up using the power of the Goddess and defeats Yataro.

Two weeks later, Kojiro and Tsugumi speak with Tatsuomi, who explains that the signature they have is his father's, but they don't have a record of Jisai Kanemaki bushi, and guesses it may have been a temporary alliance. However, as he seems important, the other big Bushi bands may know him and he will call for a meeting. Kojiro is surprised to hear he will do that for him, and Tatsuomi explains its because they saved his life and because its one of the two conditions under which Musashi promised to help them.

Equipment
Kitetsuki (鬼鉄騎, Kitetsuki, Oni Iron Rider): A motorbike which he inherited from his father.

Kitetsu Sword

 * Rekku Yaezakura (, Air-Splitting Cherry Blossom): Kojiro's first Kitetsu Sword and his current weapon.

Powers and Abilities
Blue Sword Soul: Blue souls are often associated to be common in the bushi community, and can make multiple strikes in one action. It is said that two out of five bushi have blue souls.

Kojiro has used it to cut apart a lesser Oni with a single strike, which generated multiple slashes.

Musashi
A friend and rival of Kojiro Kanemaki.

Tsugumi Hattori
A friend and the second member of Kanemaki Bushi

Etymology

 * The name Kojiro means "small" (小) (ko), "next" (次) (ji) and "son" (郎) (ro).
 * Kojiro is named after Sasaki Kojiro, a famous samurai who lived during the early Edo period.
 * Kojiro's surname Kanemaki means "bell, chime" (鐘) (kane) and "volume, roll, reel, book" (巻) (maki).

Trivia

 * Kojiro smokes, a habit he likely took up from his father. He attempted to quit right after he and Musashi left the town; however, he failed.
 * One of his noted special skills is making ends meet.
 * Kojiro ranked 2nd place in the manga's 1st Character Popularity Poll.
 * Kojiro does not drink because his alcohol tolerance is low.

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Коджиро Канэмаки