Heiji Shindo

**Heiji Shindo** is a character in the Netflix series, *Blue Eye Samurai*, who is voiced by Randall Park. A merchant and member of the Shindo samurai clan, he serves as a supporting antagonist, as a co-conspirator of Abijah Fowler.

## Biography

Heiji Shindo is a black market middleman, trading prostitutes, opium, and rare goods from the West including illegal guns. One of his brothers (it is unclear if he is older or younger) runs the Shindo Dojo in Kyoto, and acts as an informant to him; the Shindo House, a brothel in Kyoto, is also owned by their clan. Heiji claims he saw enough 'truly great swordsmen' in his youth, to know his talents were elsewhere, so in spite of his samurai background he pursued a career as a merchant- a position that allowed him to amass great wealth, but that was considered the lowest in prestige of the four social castes.

Heiji works with Abijah Folwer as both a trade link to the Shogunate, and a conspirator against it; Fowler intends to set him up as either the new Shogun, or the power behind whoever will serve as Shindo's puppet. This would enabling him and Fowler to jointly take control of Japan's government, aided by several treacherous daimyo at the Shogun's court, gathered bands of samurai disgruntled with the Shogun's rule, and advanced weaponry smuggled in from outside Japan.

## History/Synopsis

#### Episode 1

In "Hammerscale", Heiji's name is first mentioned by Hachiman when interrogated by Mizu. Hachiman confirms that he bought his pistol- an advanced flintlock, of illegal European design- from Heiji. Later, Mizu locates a brothel- the Shindo House- in Kyoto, that presumably is run by Heiji's agents. She visits his brother's *kendo* school, the Shindo Dojo, and defeats and injures nearly all its' students before Lord Shindo finally confronts her. She demands to know the location of Heiji, who she refers to as a "black market merchant." When she threatens to kill Taigen, the Dojo's champion, Lord Shindo reluctantly reveals that Heiji Shindo is on the island fortress of Tanabe, protected by the Genken clan (presumably for hire) and that whatever her business is with him, she will never reach him.

Near the end of the episode, Lord Shindo visits his brother at Tanabe island and apologizes for being forced to reveal him, to which Heiji scoffs that his brother's students need better training. When Hachiman (also present) remarks that the blue-eyed samurai cannot be stopped, Abijah Fowler tells Heiji to send the Four Fangs (a private assassin company) after Mizu, at double their usual price; Heiji smiles approvingly.

#### Episode 2

In "An Unexpected Element" Heiji observes the dock across the bay from Tanabe, remarking that the Four Fangs' messenger was supposed to light a fire there once the blue-eyed samurai was dead. Fowler (working on a grotesque painting of a man eviscerated by a bull) scornfully remarks that he pays the Four Fangs for a job he doesn't want to think about, so he won't *have* to; Heiji counters that not *everyone* can be relied on. Heiji remarks on the 'delights beyond imagination' that he always promises and arranges for Fowler on his journey to Edo, but Fowler irritably remarks that his imagination *grows*, holed up inside the Tanabe fortress for all but one time per year. Heiji promises that their 'surprise' for the Shogun is nearly ready, and that afterwards Fowler will be able to go wherever he pleases. He compliments Fowler's painting as he finishes it, but the Irishman promptly destroys it, complaining that he hates every fine art he's mastered to wile away his isolation; he perceives any leisure time he has, as *wasted* time, and ominously remarks that the Shogun won't be able to 'deny' he exists much longer. Glancing at the models for the artwork (a severed bull's head and a *real* eviscerated corpse, pooling blood across the floor) Heiji deadpans that he might've liked that painting in his room. Near the end of the episode, he glances out the fortress window at the dock again, noticing that no fire has been lit.

#### Episode 3

In "A Fixed Number of Paths", Heiji is surprised to learn from a messenger that all of the Four Fangs are dead. He remains calm as Fowler brutally kills the messenger and destroys the dining table with his *katana* in a fit of anger, merely pulling his wine cup out of the way. When Fowler tells him to solve the problem and picks up a flower (which he had perfectly cleft off a vase sitting on the table) Heiji sarcastically asks if that is an order. Fowler angrily knocks the cup from his hand, saying he's diverting their attention away from their plot against the Shogunate, in favor of a "malformed half-breed who's handy with a sword." Sarcastically dubbing Heiji "My dear, *dear* friend, my trusted partner and clear *equal*, my right hand and both-feet-on-land, fondest heart" he pins the flower to the front of Heiji's kimono, telling him to keep his focus on their plan, and deal with the unknown samurai "your fucking self." Heiji subsequently summons his giant thug, Okiyama, telling him to "prepare a tea ceremony."

After Okiyama tracks down Mizu, Ringo and Taigen, he leads them to a ravine which ends at an enclosed space surrounded by high cliffs, where Heiji is waiting at a small encampment. He ritually brews and serves tea, then asks Mizu to remove her glasses, saying they have no secrets. Assuming Taigen is her bodyguard, he points out that she was asked to come alone but didn't trust him, which he acknowledges as fair. Claiming he is unarmed save for his bean-cake knife (but joking to Taigen that he *might* have 500 archers hidden on the cliffs above), Heiji is accused by Mizu of being middleman to illegal traders from the west, but she clarifies that she isn't looking for him, but the white man he protects. Heiji claims there are no white men in Japan, as that would be illegal, but then gives her the name "Abijah Fowler". When Mizu claims Fowler was one of three white men in Japan when she was born, Heiji corrects that there were *four*, but she replies "There are three *now*," revealing she intends to hunt down the rest.

Intrigued, Heiji nonetheless says he can't let her sabotage his dealings with Fowler unexpectedly, but Mizu dismisses both him *and* his business as worthless to her, and confirms that *she* killed the Four Fangs. Heiji praises her skill, deadpanning that he can keep hiring expensive cutthroats for her to kill, "which will cost us money, and you time; this benefits *no one*." He instead offers her a deal: At his request, the Shogun (whose advisor is in Heiji's pocket) will appoint Mizu *daimyo* of the Sendai doman (in northern Japan), whose current *daimyo* is "a debauch". Heiji also offers Mizu 50,000 golden *ryu*, in cash. In exchange, she must cut her right thumb off (rendering her unable to wield a sword effectively) as a guarantee that she will not attack Heiji or his clients again. He has brought a case of severed thumbs from some of his other clients for the occasion, and claims there is no shame in it as "many of the most powerful lords, have reason to wear long sleeves."

Mizu considers the offer, but finally refuses. Having expected this, Heiji prepares to make a 'less attractive' counteroffer, asking how she intends to enter Fowler's 'impenetrable' fortress on Tanabe- detailing its' formidable terrain, weather and eight levels of defense. He claims she would never make it inside without help, revealing a *sake* barrel: the intention being to smuggle her into the castle. Taigen protest that this offer is a suicidal trap, but Mizu adamantly claims any path to Fowler is a good one for her. She poses several questions to Heiji, the first being how she can be sure he won't betray her; Heiji responds it is a calculated risk she must take, as storming the castle is not an option. When asked why he wants his 'partnership' with Fowler ended when it brings him such wealth, Heiji admits (with some emotion) he has come to hate the white man after twenty years of dealing with his replusive personality and habits. He explains that the *sake* barrel 'smells bad' because it is a cheap brand he serves to prostitutes brought to service Fowler. Taigen interjects, asking how Mizu is supposed to escape the castle afterward, but Heiji counters that he will only guarantee Mizu a way in and a *chance* to kill Fowler, and that their business ends there.

When Mizu asks him about the flower pinned to his kimono, Heiji suddenly cuts her off, ordering her to enter the barrel and comply with his second offer. He reveals his claim of the archers on the cliffs earlier was no joke, and if he drops the ribbon he's holding, they will rain arrows on Mizu and Taigen, leaving Fowler alive ("knowing *him*, probably forever."). As Taigen urges Mizu to call his 'bluff', Heiji grows more insistant and hostile, finally grabbing Mizu's arm. Immediately, she draws her *katana* and cleaves off his right forearm with the same stroke. The ribbon having been dropped, Heiji runs away screaming in agony as his archers fire, but Mizu and Taigen escape.

Later, at the fortress on Tanabe Island, Fowler enters the dining hall to find a visibly-shaken Heiji waiting. Heiji claims the unknown samurai hunting Fowler is no man but an unstoppable demon, with "eyes like *yours*" and that "he'll come, he'll stand right here, and he will open your throat." Fowler demands to know everything there is to know about this "demon." Heiji only knows 'his' name, Mizu, but claims they have someone who knows more: his thug Okiyama, has managed to capture Taigen, delivering him to them in a *sake* barrel.

#### Episode 4

In "Peculiarities", Heiji interrogates Taigen about Mizu as his thug tortures him. Watching, Fowler complains that he is getting bored, to which Heiji snaps that *he* likes it. As Fowler leaves, Heiji asks Taigen why he would protect an enemy who humiliated him and cost him his marriage to the Tokunobu Clan, prompting Taigen to reply "He deserves better than *you*." Heiji orders his thug to resume the torture, watching with relish as Taigen's nails are removed.

## Personality

Not being a gifted warrior despite belonging to a samurai clan, Heiji Shindo has instead become a ruthless silver-tongued merchant who sees everything, especially death, as a transaction; despite putting on an air of excessive politeness, he scorns *bushido* codes of honor, preferring assurances that are more than just words (such as having his clients remove their thumbs to prevent them from taking up arms against him). While not skilled in combat himself, he has a knack for finding the most dangerous killers for hire possible, and never enters a dangerous scenario without a backup plan.

Heiji can be eloquent yet blunt in his speech, sometimes utilizing bribery *and* threats effectively in the same sentence; this power of persuasion has enabled him to make many commercial/political agreements with both Fowler and the Shogun's court. A patient opportunist, he prefers to wait for the right moment to strike, in contrast to the impulsive Fowler. He is utterly ruthless to his enemies, being very direct about his capability to hunt down and kill Mizu *while still negotiating with her* (though this backfires due to his bragging giving her important details about how to infiltrate his and Fowler's stronghold) and brutally torturing Taigen for information.

Despite sharing (to a lesser degree) Fowler's thirst for sex and bloodlust, Heiji sees his culture (and himself) as infinately more refined and above Fowler. He finds the white man's crass, insulting manner utterly repulsive, and views him as a plague on Japan. Although he is dependent on his connection with Fowler for much of his wealth and prestige (as well as the means to overthrow the Shogun with Fowler's smuggled guns), over the last two decades Heiji has come to despise the Irishman. However, lacking a skill for violence like his brother, and with most of his followers motivated more by money than loyalty, he remains an opportunist at every moment. He initially offers Mizu a chance to assassinate Fowler (knowing she will likely die in the process, eliminating the loose end) hoping to then carry out the coup jointly with Chiba and Daiichi, who also despise Fowler. When Mizu proves unwilling to do so and escapes, Heiji attempts to preemptively usurp the coup by having Chiba search for the rifles on Edo Bay when they arrive, to keep them out of Fowler's control.

However, once Fowler eliminates Chiba and Daiichi is unexpectedly trapped by his daughter and Seki, Heiji resolves to aid the Western-led coup despite his hatred for Fowler, perhaps worried that if the Shogunate survived he would be exposed and executed. When Taigen finally corners him playing dead after Mizu's attack on the conspirators, Heiji pathetically offers him wealth and titles to spare his life, only to be fatally stabbed through the heart.