Shimotsuki Ushimaru

Shimotsuki Ushimaru was a member of the Shimotsuki Family, and the last daimyo of Ringo in Wano Country. He ruled until the takeover of Kurozumi Orochi as shogun 20 years ago. He is a direct descendant of the legendary samurai Shimotsuki Ryuma.

Appearance
Ushimaru had a pronounced nose and dark blue hair that was somewhat spiky in the front and gathered into a large, bushy bun at the back. Thirty-nine years ago, he wore a dark colored yukata with a light colored marking and a light colored jittoku haori with dark colored images of bulls Ushi (牛). In his youth, he bore a striking resemblance to Zoro.

Personality
Ushimaru was loyal to the Kozuki Family, and so opposed the takeover of Orochi, electing to rise up against him even though it ultimately cost him his life.

Abilities and Powers
As daimyo of Ringo, Ushimaru had full control over the region. According to Kawamatsu, he was a masterful swordsman who wielded the blade in a very similar manner to the powerful present-day swordsman Roronoa Zoro.

Biography


Ushimaru served as daimyo for an unknown period of time before 20 years ago, with the komakitsune Onimaru serving as his companion. Twenty years ago, Kurozumi Orochi assumed the title of shogun, and after executing the daimyo of Kuri Kozuki Oden, he gave the remaining four daimyo the chance to submit to him. The daimyo all refused and staged a rebellion against him. The rebellion was ultimately quashed by Kaidou, as Ushimaru and his fellow samurai ended up imprisoned on Onigashima not long after the end of their rebellion. Around that same time, Kaidou locked his daughter Yamato in a cave along with the samurai prisoners for a month or until they agreed to finally obey him. He left them all with food provisions for only a single person, and gave them swords to fight over it. Yamato grew extremely scared, believing the samurai would hate her due to her heritage; however, the samurai proceeded to immediately give her the food, saying they did not feel hunger.

Ushimaru then cut Yamato free from her chains, saying that he had been friends with Oden and that the everyone in the cave adored Oden, and they heard her declaration as him. As the other samurai request to Yamato that he be called "Nobody Important," Yamato shows Ushimaru Oden's journal, but says they have trouble reading it. Everyone proceeds to read it together as Yamato is left amazed by Oden's tales. Ten days later, the samurai tell Yamato that at this rate, they may not be able to see the battle that Oden predicted would happen in twenty years. Yamato says they will fight for Wano that day, but the samurai decide to break out and fight Kaidou immediately to make sure Yamato does not die in the cave like Kaidou wants and that she survives until that day. This ultimately led to Ushimaru and the other samurai's demise.

Trivia

 * Ushimaru's name may come from Ushiwakamaru (牛若丸), the childhood name of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Minamoto no Yoshitsune had a retainer named Benkei whose childhood name was Oniwakamaru, which is the possible source of Onimaru's name.

Site Navigation
Shimotsuki Ushimaru Shimotsuki Ushimaru Shimotsuki Ushimaru Shimotsuki Ushimaru Shimotsuki Ushimaru Симоцуки Усимару