Suwa Yorishige is the head priest of Suwa Shrine and the leader of the Suwa clan, serving the Hojo family. Although he looks very young and handsome, he already has a grandson. He is respected as a living god and commands the powerful Suwa warriors. People are surprised by his strange actions and odd humor, and he sometimes acts unpredictably. He meets Tokiyuki Hojo and predicts Tokiyuki will become a great hero in two years. Yorishige protects Tokiyuki after the fall of the Kamakura shogunate and trains him to regain his lost place. Yorishige later dies heroically in battle, leaving a lasting impact on Tokiyuki.
Suwa Yorishige appears very young and attractive, making it hard to believe he is a grandfather.
He has a slim build and gentle face, giving him a refined look.
Even though he looks young, he has age spots, and there are hints such as white hair near his temples that suggest he is older than he seems.
His shining aura, or “halo,” sometimes flashes brightly behind his head, and he adjusts it by pulling a string on his hat.
Yorishige is known for his warm smile, but people often find his expression suspicious and odd.
He sometimes behaves very strangely, laughing mysteriously or acting outlandish.
Many first-time acquaintances, like Tokiyuki Hojo, think he looks like a fake medium or trickster.
He loves to surprise and confuse others with unusual behavior.
Despite this, he also cares deeply for his people and followers and is loyal to those he protects.
He uses strange actions as a way to help others, such as boosting Tokiyuki’s mood when he is feeling down.
Yorishige is the leader and chief priest of Suwa Shrine in Shinano.
He belongs to the Suwa clan and is worshipped as a living god, just like the Emperor in Kyoto or the Izumo family at Izumo Shrine.
He leads the warrior group known as the Suwa Shinto.
Yorishige sometimes sees fragments of the future, but never the whole picture. When asked about details, he hesitates and cannot give clear answers.
His family also treats him sharply; his daughter, Shizuku, is especially frank with him.
He owns a unique "halo" that he can brighten or dim, sometimes making clicking sounds like turning a light switch.
Yorishige's special talent is his “divine power,” allowing him to see glimpses of the future.
He commands respect and is very persuasive, increasing the morale and unity of his allies.
When his “halo” shines, it boosts his leadership and charm by 40%.
However, his suspicious nature reduces the effectiveness of this divine power by half.
He is quite smart, with high intelligence, and is very loyal and convincing.
He especially enjoys eating meat, which raises his happiness but lowers his focus.
If he cannot use his spiritual powers, he becomes visibly nervous.
Stats
- Strength: 76
- Wildness: 55
- Intelligence: 88
- Loyalty: 93
- Political Skill: 85
- Chaos: 73
- Leadership: 71
- Innovation: 36
- Charisma: 96
- Stealth: 38
Yorishige is a second father figure to Tokiyuki Hojo.
He promises to cut Tokiyuki's hair at his coming-of-age ceremony if Tokiyuki becomes a hero.
He is also the grandfather of Yoritsugu Suwa.
His daughter, Shizuku, sometimes treats him with little respect due to his strange behavior but cares for him.
Meeting Tokiyuki Hojo
Yorishige arrives in Kamakura for religious duties and meets Tokiyuki Hojo.
He predicts Tokiyuki will shake the world as a hero when he turns ten, just two years later.
Soon after, the Kamakura shogunate falls, and Yorishige is asked by Takatoki Hojo to hide Tokiyuki in Suwa.
Training and Supporting Tokiyuki
Yorishige brings Tokiyuki to Suwa and becomes his mentor.
He trains Tokiyuki not only in military skills but also in intelligence, wisdom, and how to win.
He sees the possibility of a true hero inside Tokiyuki and supports him through tough times.
Yorishige uses unusual and even shocking methods, sometimes throwing Tokiyuki into dangerous situations to restore his will to live and push his growth as a leader.
He also helps Tokiyuki laugh and recover emotionally after losing his family and facing betrayal.
Defeat and Sacrifice
During the Uprising of the Middle Prince, Yorishige faces Takauji Ashikaga.
His divine power is overwhelmed and he loses badly in the battle.
He is fatally wounded, but before the enemy finishes him, Tokiyuki rescues him.
Yorishige says his last words to Tokiyuki, fakes both their deaths, and dies, giving Tokiyuki a new start.
- He sometimes references modern culture, as if he can see into the 21st century, puzzling those around him with strange comments.
- He likes to invent games that look like Japanese board games, or make odd remarks about old customs.
- His actions are sometimes bizarre, but they often work to help people in unusual ways.
- In the anime, his “halo” adjustment makes a clicking sound, like pulling a light cord.
- Voice actor Nakamura, who played Yorishige in the anime, also worked on the author’s earlier anime adaptation.
- When searching for this character, adding words like “Taiheiki,” “Hojo Tokiyuki,” or “Nanboku-chō” can help avoid confusion with another historical Suwa Yorishige from the Warring States period.
"Takauji becomes a hero by killing, but you become a hero by living."
Yorishige is one of those rare allies who often looks like an enemy.
He is not the main character, but he deeply influences the hero and the whole story with his unique ways.
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