Shimotsuki Koushirou

Shimotsuki Koushirou is a member of the Shimotsuki Family and a master swordsman, he was both the teacher of as well as the distant relative of Roronoa Zoro. He is also the father of the late Shimotsuki Kuina and son of Shimotsuki Kozaburo. He is the master of Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village.

Appearance
Koushirou has black hair tied back in a long ponytail, his face is wrinkled and wears glasses with circular frames. He always wears a gray yukata and sometimes he has a beige haori over it with two crossed swords on the left breast.

Personality
He was a believer that females are naturally weaker than their male counterparts and are therefore unsuitable to be warriors. Koushirou deeply appreciates talent as shown when he noted that as long as Zoro valued his swordsmanship, he did not care if he had become a pirate. However, he was rather dismayed that the students of his dojo hoped to become great pirates like Zoro and started practicing Three Sword Style to better emulate him.

Although he is always seen smiling, he gives the impression of being a mostly emotionless person. Koushirou's reaction to his daughter's death was just a comment that "humans are fragile" when telling Zoro that she died, though it is possible that he could have been masking his pain.

Abilities and Powers
He is skilled enough with a sword that he can teach others to use it. Having learnt from his father, who was a samurai, Koushirou has knowledge of swordsmanship techniques known only in Wano which he would pass on to Zoro.

Past
Koushirou was born in Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue to Shimotsuki Kozaburo and an Unnamed woman, 51 years before the current story line.

Two years after Gol D. Roger's execution, Koushirou, now 29, and his wife had a daughter named Kuina, Koushirou expressed concern whether a girl would be capable of taking over his dojo, to which his wife reassured him that their daughter would grow to be strong.

One day, a young Zoro came to his dojo for a challenge. His terms were to fight with Koushirou, and that if he won, he would own the dojo. However, if he lost, he would become a student there. Koushirou, deciding not to fight Zoro himself, pitted Zoro against his daughter Kuina. Zoro accepted the change in the duel. Zoro lost to Kuina, and became Koushirou's student as agreed.

One night, Koushirou discussed about Zoro's progress with a fellow teacher and was confident that Zoro would one day surpass Kuina. Kuina, having overheard this conversation, became outraged saying that she would be the world's greatest swordsman. Koushirou stated that as a woman, Kuina cannot be the best sword's greatest swordsman, causing her to be distraught.

At least once, Isshin Dojo helped the Revolutionary Army by providing them food and supplies. A man with a large face was seen and Monkey D. Dragon said that the army received food from the dojo.

Koushirou went to check on Zoro after he had lost to Kuina for the 2000th time, Zoro questioned why he still could not win against her to which Koushirou suggested it could be due to age difference to which Zoro denies. On the day after Zoro and Kuina made their vow, Kuina fell down the stairs and died. At Zoro's request, Koushirou gave him her Meito, Wado Ichimonji.

Post-Enies Lobby Arc
After the Enies Lobby incident, Koushirou was seen again in his dojo when his students were asking him about Zoro. He wished Zoro to go on ahead and fulfill his dream. Koushirou also stated that as long as Zoro treasures his sword, it will not matter what person he becomes.

From the Decks of the World
After the news of the Straw Hat Pirates spread across the world, Koushirou smiled and put a copy of the newspaper on Kuina's grave.

From the Decks of the World: The 500,000,000 Man Arc
After the Straw Hats' victory at Dressrosa, Koushirou was dismayed that his young students began to imitate Zoro by practicing Three Sword Style and taping their left eyes shut.

Anime and Manga Differences


At the end of the anime's flashback of Zoro's past, Koushirou was shown with bits of gray hair when Zoro left Shimotsuki Village. Yet, his hair was fully black when Zoro received his second bounty. This is most likely due to him not yet having been seen outside of Zoro's flashback in the manga at the time.

In the manga, his actions are limited to Zoro's flashback while in the anime his role is expanded. Shimotsuki Kuina's increased fighting potential is noted by him because of her rivalry with Zoro, while in the manga he makes no statement. His traditional values are also touched upon as he contemplated making Zoro his heir rather than his own daughter Kuina, simply because of her gender.

Playable Appearances

 * One Piece Treasure Cruise

Non-Playable Appearances

 * One Piece Bon! Bon! Journey!!

Trivia

 * Koushirou made a very small cameo appearance in one of the "Boss Luffy Historical Arc" filler episodes.
 * Koushirou's favorite food is watermelon eaten while sitting on the dojo's engawa.

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Koushirou Kōshirō Shimotsuki Koushirou Kôshirô Koshiro Косиро Shimotsuki Koushirou