Kunishige Rokuhira

* Colored
* Manga

**Kunishige Rokuhira** (六平国重, *Rokuhira Kunishige*) is one of the characters in the manga series Kagurabachi. He is Chihiro Rokuhira's late father and held a significant reputation as his country's most renowned swordsmith. He led a life deeply rooted in the craft of sword making before his death.

## Appearance

Rokuhira was a tall man with spiky black hair. His eyes were large with small irises, and he had thin eyebrows and a mild goatee on his chin. He possessed a muscular yet lean physique and maintained excellent posture, even in his back. On casual days, he often wore a friendly and jovial expression, but when engrossed in crafting katanas, he would adopt a more serious demeanor, which Chihiro initially found a bit unusual but grew accustomed to.

His casual attire typically consisted of a loose white t-shirt featuring a large sun design in the center with the words "Yay! It's sunny!" in bold font. He paired this with loose black pajama pants.

During his work in his workshop adjacent to his residence, Kunishige preferred traditional Japanese clothing such as "kko-gi" (甲着) or "hakui" (白衣). These garments were designed for practical protection and cleanliness during the sword forging process. He also adorned a black bandana as part of his work attire.

## Personality

Kunishige Rokuhira possessed a multifaceted personality that reflected his role as a renowned swordsmith and a father. In the workshop, he was a dedicated and serious craftsman, fully committed to his work, crafting special katanas using his unique method. This seriousness in his craft stood in stark contrast to his usual self, which was more relaxed and approachable. Kunishige had a quirky habit of talking to the goldfish they kept, demonstrating a whimsical side to his character.

His relationship with his son, Chihiro, reveals another layer of his personality. He took on the responsibility of training Chihiro diligently in the art of sword smithing, showcasing his dedication to passing on his knowledge and skills. However, Kunishige's seriousness and the constant comparisons between him and his heroic past during the Seitei War can sometimes create tension in their interactions.

Kunishige was deeply reflective, as evidenced by his discussion with Chihiro about the moral responsibility of swordsmiths. He understood the gravity of crafting katanas, knowing that they can be both tools for saving lives and instruments of death. This demonstrated his philosophical and contemplative side.

In moments of crisis, Kunishige's protective nature as a father shine through, as seen when he shared a significant moment with Chihiro, discussing his son's aspiration to become a swordsmith. He challenged Chihiro to consider the weight of producing and entrusting a katana to someone, showing his concern for his son's future.

## Plot

### Background

Kunishige, renowned as the most famous swordsmith in his country, led a life deeply rooted in the craft of sword making. He operated at the Rokuhira Swordsmith, where each day began under the warm sunshine, often accompanied by his son, Chihiro. Their bond was forged through diligent training, with Kunishige's serious work ethic contrasting with his usual self.

Kunishige's reputation extended beyond his workshop, especially due to his unique method of crafting special katanas. His expertise garnered recognition during the Seitei War 15 years prior when the swords he forged played a pivotal role in ending the conflict, elevating him to the status of a hero.

Chihiro, his son, became entwined in his father's world of sword smithing, fostering aspirations to follow in Kunishige's footsteps. Their conversations often revolved around the weight of creating katanas, tools for both protection and destruction, highlighting the responsibility swordsmiths bore for the consequences of their creations.

Kunishige's commitment to his craft remained unwavering, and he instilled in Chihiro the importance of shouldering the responsibility of producing and entrusting katanas to others. This sense of duty continued to shape Chihiro's path.

Three years ago, their residence was shielded by a protective magic barrier, isolating them from the outside world. This barrier was configured to alert Shiba to any interference. One day, when Shiba sensed something amiss and rushed to the location only to find Chihiro in a devastated state. The house was in ruins, and Kunishige's katanas, six enchanted blades that he had released into the world during the war but secured in his workshop afterward, were all stolen. Kunishige was found lifeless on the ground, bearing visible injuries.

When he was still alive, Kunishige introduced Chihiro to the enchanted blades he had crafted, nurturing his son's aspiration to create similar remarkable blades. However, Kunishige emphasized the importance of Chihiro considering what kind of katana the world truly required and why, beyond just crafting powerful enchanted blades.

His death deeply affected Chihiro, who wept and questioned the identities of those responsible for the destruction and theft of his father's katanas. Chihiro was determined to confront and defeat the attackers, vowing to make them understand his father's beliefs and attachment to the blades.

The katana that Chihiro currently wields is a blade Kunishige dedicated years to crafting after the war and ultimately sacrificed his life to protect, his seventh enchanted blade. Since that fateful day, there has been no reliable information regarding the group known as Hishaku, which is linked to these enchanted blades. Chihiro feels an urgent need to locate the Hishaku and the stolen enchanted blades, which he believes might be used for nefarious purposes.

Kunishige's legacy lives on through his son, Chihiro, who is determined to honor his father's memory by recovering the stolen katanas and confronting those responsible.

## Relationships

### Familial

**Chihiro Rokuhira:** Kunishige Rokuhira had a complex relationship with his son, Chihiro. Chihiro admired his father's skill as a renowned swordsmith but found his serious demeanor while working to be somewhat odd, especially his habit of talking to the goldfish they kept. Chihiro often had to handle his father's whims and responsibilities, which could be overwhelming at times.

Their bond deepened when Kunishige shared a moment with Chihiro, reflecting on the responsibility of swordsmiths in creating katanas that could both save lives and take them. This discussion challenged Chihiro's aspiration to become a swordsmith, and Kunishige asked if he could shoulder the weight of entrusting a katana to someone, knowing its potential impact. Chihiro, though unsure, was committed to taking on this responsibility.

### Non-familial

**Shiba:** Kunishige's friendship with Shiba played a significant role in their lives. Shiba was a frequent visitor and friend who brought souvenirs and engaged in casual banter with Kunishige. He often spoke of Kunishige's heroism during the Seitei War, where Kunishige's forged swords played a crucial role in ending the war. This constant comparison between father and son, as well as Shiba's influence, likely contributed to Chihiro's determination to follow in his father's footsteps.

## Abilities

**Master Swordsmith:** Kunishige was renowned as the most famous swordsmith in his country, specializing in crafting special katanas using his unique method. His skill in forging katanas were unparalleled. He was also diligently training his son, Chihiro, in the art of sword smithing, passing down his knowledge and skills to the next generation.

* **Enchanted Blade Crafting:** During the war, Kunishige had crafted six enchanted blades, each possessing unique abilities. After the war, he secured these blades in the cellar of his workshop. However, these precious blades were stolen during the attack on their residence. The katana that Chihiro now wields is Kunishige's seventh enchanted blade, which Kunishige had dedicated years to crafting after the war. Kunishige sacrificed his life to protect this particular katana.

### Combat Prowess

**Proficient Swordsman:** Kunishige was skilled in using katanas himself, as demonstrated when he cut through a bamboo stand with precision to emphasize the responsibility of swordsmiths.

## Etymology

The name "六平国重" (Rokuhira Kunishige) may not have a single, straightforward meaning but could be interpreted as a name that signifies some sense of balance, stability, or importance within one's country or nation.

* **六平 (Rokuhira):**
	+ **六 (Roku):** This character means "six" in Japanese. It's a numerical character and doesn't carry significant meaning beyond its numeric value in this name.
	+ **平 (Hira):** The character "平" means "flat" or "level." It's a common component in Japanese names and doesn't have specific meaning in this context.
* **国重 (Kunishige):**
	+ **国 (Kuni):** This character means "country" or "nation" in Japanese. It's also used in names and surnames and can sometimes refer to the individual's connection to their homeland or country.
	+ **重 (Shige):** The character "重" means "heavy" or "important." In names, it often carries the connotation of being significant, valuable, or noble.

## References

*Kagurabachi* Manga: Chapter 1 (Page 5).
*Kagurabachi* Manga: Chapter 1 (Page 6).
*Kagurabachi* Manga: Chapter 2 (Page 18). — Translation of his shirt.
*Kagurabachi* Manga: Chapter 2 (Pages 12-21).
*Kagurabachi* Manga: Chapter 2 (Page 22).