The Sacred Valley

Main Characters

Soshi Atsuko, Imperial Magistrate

Her maid, Kesa.

Shoki, her new legal clerk.

Miya Anso, Imperial Governor, a nervous, fretting man.

Matsu Tadanoko, Gunso of the Imperial Guard, an over-worked woman.

Tsuekei, the head "brother" of the Naishou ronin.

Oda Sensei, master of a sword school.

Sagami, a merchant

Nodama Setori, patriarch who lives in the country

Nodama Sezoru, his younger brother (in his late 30's)

Nodama Ikue, Sezoru's wife

Okuda Yasuko, onna-bugeisha.

Okuda Ichiro, her son.

Kyodaina Akuma, a very large ronin.

The Four Demons, three men and a woman, ronin, who work with Kyodaina Akuma

Commander of Kyotei Castle: Tsume Takeshi no Doji

Tsume Takoko, his wife.

Hōnen, a blind monk with a vicious guard dog, Taiki, who is actually a fat, lazy tanuki.

Akodo Matsuri and Lord Matsukaze, a dead child adopted by Akodo Kumiko, and a horse doll made from rope and bits of cloth.