Shibata Katsuie

* Pre-Hino
* Post-Hino

## Image Gallery

**Shibata Katsuie** (柴田 (しばた)  勝家 (かついえ) , *Shibata Katsuie*), also known by his epithet "**Oni Shibata**" (鬼柴田, *Oni Shibata*), is one of the daimyo participating in the Tenkaichi tournament with his representative warrior being Kamiizumi Isenokami. He is also one of Oda Nobunaga's retainers.

## Appearance

Shibata's initial appearance consisted of a well kempt man, with strong facial features, thick black hair set into a chonmage, thick eyebrows that extended back into his hair and an equally thick full beard. He wore a simple dark-coloured haori, with his clan mon on each shoulder, over a lighter-coloured kimono.

After Hino Choko maimed him with a metal fan to the face, Shibata's appearance becomes a lot more haggard and unkempt. His hair and facial hair have become noticeably whitened (other than a still black portion on the left side of his beard) and the upper right side of his face is now obscured by a wooden mask complete with an unmoving wooden eye; scar tissue can be seen around the edges of the mask.

## Personality

Shibata appears to be a man dedicated to the continuation of an era of peace, quickly decrying Oda Nobunaga's idea to host a proxy war in order to find a successor. However, he holds long-standing grudges, making very clear that he will repay any "debts" incurred on to him.

## Plot

Present at the summoning of all daimyo by the Shogun, Oda Nobunaga. When Nobunaga announced his intentions to create the Tenkaichi in order to determine the next ruler of Japan, Shibata spoke out against Nobunaga's plan, saying that it would disrupt the current peace and would lead to war. However, before he could go on, Hino Choko violently launched a metal fan at him, hitting him directly in the face and putting him out nigh-instantly.

In Ozaka castle, 103 days later, on the second day of the Tenkaichi tournament, a hooded Shibata sat opposite Hashiba Hideyoshi who was jovially reminiscing on how long it had been since the had spoken face-to-face. With Hideyoshi nattering on and then sardonically noting that Shibata didn't seem to be having fun, Katsuie bluntly replied that he despised Hideyoshi most in the world and that he would repay the debt he received from Hino Choko in full. Hideyoshi slyly commented that he was glad Oni Shibata hadn't changed, before returning to joviality, putting his arm around Shibata and suggesting they should get along as fellow retainers of the Oda clan; in response, Shibata vehemently told Hideyoshi to back off. Just then, a servant came in to inform them the stage for their match had been prepared. At this, Shibata removed his hood, revealing his masked eye and stated that he and Kamiizumi would see where they would have their victory marked.

Elsewhere in the Ozaka castle, at the Twin Dragon's Cage, Shibata walked out alongside the sleeping Kamiizumi Isenokami and his students. When Hino Choko entered the stage with Hashiba Hideyoshi, Shibata reflexively touched the mask on his face while muttering Hino's name. With Hino towering over the awakened Kamiizumi, Shibata commented on his awareness but reaffirmed that the difference in stature between Hino and Kamiizumi was astounding. He then asked Marume Kurando whether the Sword Saint could beat Hino, with Marume affirming that Kamiizumi couldn't possibly lose, though he did note that it was the first time he'd seen Kamiizumi awaken just from someone standing in front of him.
When the two fighters entered the Twin Dragon's Cage, Hideyoshi called over to Shibata that he wouldn't be losing, who merely hmphed in response, calling Hideyoshi "bothersome Monkey". Shibata continued to watch silently as the fight got underway. After Hino's mask was removed, and the rikishi properly awoke, Shibata wondered whether Choko's 'sleep' had been a bluff, soon realising that Hideyoshi had known something all along.

## Notes & Trivia

* This character is based on the real life Shibata Katsuie.
* Shibata openly holds a deep contempt for Hashiba Hideyoshi, referring to the man by his birth name "**Tokichiro**" (藤吉郎 (とうきちろう) , *Tōkichirō*) and also often derisively calling him "Monkey" (猿, *Saru*).

## References

1. ↑ *Tenkaichi* manga: Chapter 1 (pages 18-19).
2. ↑ *Tenkaichi* manga: Chapter 17 (page 10).
3. ↑ *Tenkaichi* manga: Chapter 17 (page 11).
4. ↑ *Tenkaichi* manga: Chapter 18 (page 4).