Part 181

Explore the lore of Nioh Part 181, detailing the backgrounds of Tenkai (Akechi Mitsuhide) and Saika Magoichi, their roles in Japanese history, and their significance within the game's narrative.

Tenkai

Tenkai is a prominent figure in Nioh, known for his deep knowledge of various spiritual and philosophical disciplines, including Buddhism, Shinto, Taoism, Onmyo, Shugendo, and Feng Shui. He uses this expertise to advise powerful daimyo and is particularly concerned about the potential dangers of abusing the spiritual power of Amrita. It is revealed that Tenkai is, in fact, Akechi Mitsuhide, the general responsible for the Honnoji Temple Incident that led to Oda Nobunaga's demise. After faking his death and changing his name, Mitsuhide adopted the persona of Tenkai and became a supporter of Tokugawa Ieyasu's ambition to unite Japan. He actively works behind the scenes to maintain world harmony, intervening when he perceives threats, such as the arrival of Kelley and William, by sending Fuku to stop them.

Following the Battle of Sekigahara, Tenkai played a crucial role in shaping Edo's urban planning using his skills in Onmyo magic and Feng Shui. He was instrumental in the construction of Kan'eiji temple on Mount Toei, establishing a spiritual barrier to protect Edo from malevolent forces, similar to the Mount Hiei temple complex's role for Kyoto.

Saika Magoichi

Saika Magoichi is the leader of the Saika, a mercenary group based in western Kii Province, renowned for their expertise in firearms, cannons, and other guns. The title "Saika Magoichi" is passed down through successive leaders, with the current holder being Suzuki Shigetomo. The Saika specialize in small-scale guerilla operations rather than large battles and are known for their mercenary nature, fighting for whoever pays them without allegiance to any lord. They were once employed by Ken'nyo of Honganji Temple, where they fiercely resisted Oda Nobunaga during the occupation of Ishiyama Honganji. They hold the sacred crow Yatagarasu in reverence and are believed to possess the ability to perceive spirits and other unseen entities.

The Saika's involvement in shipping and trade allowed them to quickly adopt and master firearms after their introduction to Japan through Tanegashima. They trained skilled marksmen and developed effective tactics for firearm combat, becoming a formidable military force. Their signature tactic involved arranging marksmen in two lines, with one line firing while the other reloaded, allowing for continuous volleys and overcoming the reload time disadvantage of firearms. This strategy proved so effective that it caused significant trouble for Oda Nobunaga, who later employed a similar three-layered technique against the Takeda forces.

Despite their martial prowess, the Saika, a group of nobles and craftsmen, managed to operate outside the traditional daimyo system. They resisted Toyotomi Hideyoshi's efforts to centralize political power but were eventually subdued by his superior forces. Nevertheless, they maintained their rebellious and anti-authoritarian spirit, continuously honing their skills to preserve their way of life amidst significant political and social upheaval.

Otani Yoshitsugu

Otani Yoshitsugu is a general serving under the Toyotomi clan, recognized for his blend of intelligence and bravery.