Kenichi

**Kenichi** is the current magistrate of Miyamoto Usagi's home village and his bitter childhood rival. He is also the husband of Mariko and the step-father of Jotaro.

## History

Kenichi and Usagi were childhood playmates, though they eventually grew into rivals, especially for Mariko's affection. This rivalry started back when they were children as they were fishing in a nearby river, Mariko came over and complimented how much fish they caught. Usagi bragged about how full his fish basket was, and as a prank, Kenichi tripped his playmate into the river, and made him lose all his fish. Mariko scolded Kenichi for being so mean but Kenichi said it was Usagi's fault for being so clumsy. After a few moments, Usagi finally burst out of the river, grappling with a carp that was bigger than he was. Kenichi and Mariko watched for several minutes as Usagi wrestled the giant fish before finally yanking it out of the water. Usagi carried the massive carp back to the village, and while Mariko and the other villagers rained praise on Usagi, Kenichi was quietly fuming with jealousy. Ironically, Kenichi's attempt to embarrass Usagi in front of Mariko only turned him into something of hero in not only her eyes but the entire village. Since that day, Kenichi has always tried to show up Usagi.

Another event that led to Kenichi to become Usagi's rival was one winter as children while the two of them were gathering wild mushrooms, Usagi spotted a wild tokage lizard and declared he'd catch it for a pet. Kenichi took it as a challenge and stated he would catch the lizard first, then he bopped Usagi on the head and chased after the tokage. Kenichi chased the lizard to a cave and caught it but didn't realize that the tokage's whole pack was in there, and they angrily chased him off. Kenichi blamed Usagi, believing he lured him to that cave on purpose, and declared that they were now enemies for life.

Sometime later, it came time for both Usagi and Kenichi to train as samurai. Usagi's father, the village headman, also a samurai, sponsored the two of them to join the Dogora School of Swordsmanship, the most prestigious dojo in the province. As the two of them made their way to the city, they witnessed a group of students from the Dogora school attacking a lone hermit named Katsuichi. The hermit easily defeated the group of students, despite how outnumbered he was. In that instant, Usagi declared that he wanted that man as his sensei, but Kenichi scoffed at the notion, stating that the group of students the old man had defeated must have been first-year students, and that Usagi was a fool to want a nameless nobody like that hermit as his sensei. The two then parted ways, Usagi after Katsuichi, and Kenichi towards the Dogora school.

Many years passed, and Kenichi became the top student at his dojo. One day, the Dogora school hosted a swordsmanship tournament, allowing all schools to participate. Amongst the entries was Katsuichi and his only student, Usagi. The school's sensei, Genjiro, allowed Katsuichi's student to participate because the provincial lord, Lord Mifune, was going to be watching the tournament, and to have turned Katsuichi away would have been a sign of weakness before the daimyo. So Genjiro ordered that his students cripple Usagi in their bouts with him. Match after match, Usagi defeated every opponent he faced, and the only other undefeated tournament was Kenichi. The Dogora school's head instructor, Higashimori, told Kenichi that he was the last student to uphold the honor of their school, and Kenichi promised that if he couldn't defeat Usagi, he'd return to his village in disgrace. After many years, the two old playmates were reunited as opponents for the honor of their schools. Kenichi's technique was superb, but he failed against Usagi's unorthodox style and was defeated. Usagi was awarded his swords by Lord Mifune himself, and Kenichi was forced to leave his school in shame, his relationship with Usagi now irreconcilably damaged.

Sometime later, Usagi left the mountains where he was training to visit his village one last time before entering Lord Mifune's service. When he stopped at a local inn for the night, Usagi was shocked to discover Kenichi there as an angry, besotted drunk. Usagi tried to nurse his old friend out of his stupor, but when Kenichi came to, he angrily attacked Usagi. Sadly, Kenichi was far too hungover to be of any threat. He then sorrowfully told Usagi about his promise to leave the Dogora school in disgrace if he lost the tournament but was too ashamed to show his face back at the village. The two of them then learned from the innkeeper that bandits were going to raid a nearby village of its supplies, and they both realized it was their home village that was going to be attacked. Determined to protect their home, and Mariko, the two old friends grabbed their swords and hurried back to their village.

By the time the two arrived, Usagi's father was already fighting against the bandits. Usagi and Kenichi both managed to drive the bandits away and saved Mariko from danger. After years of being away, the three childhood friends reunited over dinner. When Mariko asked if they would be staying, Usagi said that he'd be entering Lord Mifune's service, but Kenichi said he'd be staying home.

Not long after, Kenichi married Mariko and had a son named Jotaro. During the Age of Wars, Lord Hikiji had provoked Lord Mifune into war and invaded the province. Lord Hikiji himself invaded Usagi's home village and demanded that the villagers give them their supplies. Usagi's father, who was staunchly loyal to Lord Mifune, defied the Lord of the Black Sun. For his defiance, Hikiji cut off the older Usagi's head, appointed Kenichi as the new magistrate, and still demanded their supplies. Kenichi had no choice but to give into the lord's command. Since then, Kenichi has been the magistrate of the village as a vassal to Lord Hikiji.

## Relationships

### Mariko

Kenichi has been in love with Mariko ever since he was a child, and it was originally this love that drove him and Usagi to become rivals. While it's never been stated aloud, in all likelihood, Kenichi knows that Jotaro isn't his son, and he married Mariko to keep her from suffering the shame of having a fatherless child out of wedlock. However, he loves Mariko still and is a good and dutiful husband to her, and wants her happiness more than anything.

### Jotaro

While relations are still tense between Usagi and Kenichi, when it comes to Jotaro, as far as Kenichi is concerned, the boy is his son. He's been with Jotaro his whole life and loves him like his own child and been described as good father to Jotaro.

### Usagi

The two were very good childhood friends, but their competition to for Mariko's affection and to outdo one another to become samurai eventually drove them to become rivals. On several occasions, Kenichi was left jealous of Usagi, and even today, some of that that jealousy and anger remains. On every occasion where Usagi did return home, Kenichi seemed to always go out of his way to make Usagi feel unwelcome and wanted him to leave. However, the two of them have worked together to protect their village from those that would threaten it, and while their relationship may be strained, the two still respect each other.

## Fighting Style

Kenichi was once the top student of the Dogora school and was groomed to become a samurai in Lord Mifune's service. Usagi even described his technique as being superb. While Kenichi probably hasn't used his swords as often as Usagi ever since he became village magistrate, his skill hasn't waned and has defended the village from both bandits and rogue samurai.

## Appearances

**\*\*\*SPOILERS\*\*\***

* Homecoming! (1986) & Homecoming! Part II (1986): Usagi returns to his home village, where he is welcomed cooly by Kenichi during a village conflict with the Mogura Ninja. In a flashback, Hikiji slays Usagi's father and appoints Kenichi as the new magistrate on the spot. In an earlier flashback to childhood, young Usagi and young Kenichi display their rivalry while collecting mushrooms.

* Samurai! Part I (?): Usagi tells Gen a story from his childhood: His father, the town magistrate, tells Usagi and Kenichi -that they will be going to the Dogora Fencing School the next day to train. On the way the next day, Usagi and Kenichi come across Katsuichi as he is attacked by four Dogora students. When Katsuichi easily defeats the four, Usagi chases after him and begs to be his student. Kenichi proceeds to the Dogora school as originally planned.
* Samurai! Part IV (?): Usagi tells Gen a story from his youth, continued: Kenichi enters Usagi in a fencing tournament, hosted by the Dogora Fencing School. Usagi defeats many Dogora Students, and is eventually matched against the also-undefeated Kenichi. Before the match, Kenichi's instructor tells him to hurt Usagi badly, and Kenichi promises that if he fails he will leave the school in disgrace and return to his village. Usagi defeats Kenichi.
* Samurai! Part VI, Part VII (?): Usagi continues telling his story to Gen: Usagi finds Kenichi drunk in an inn after having been forced out of Dogora School in disgrace. Usagi and Kenichi rush to save their home village from brigands. Usagi enters Mifune's service, but Kenichi stays in the village with Mariko.

* Circles, Ch.2: Remembrances (?):
* Circles, Ch.3: Shroud over the Mountain (?):

* The Return (2020: v.4, #13,14): Usagi floats into his home village. Kenichi is preparing for a visit from the Shogun's emissary.