Arai Seikū (
Appearance[]
Seikū is a thin man with a bob cut.
Seikū wears a blue kimono and pants, with a black sash around his weist.
Personality[]
Seikū is a kind and caring man. Because of his father's creations, Seikū decided to use his blacksmith skills to craft tableware instead of swords. After finding out that his father created the Sakabatō in memory of his grandson, Seikū views on his father has changed.
Relationships[]
- Arai Shakkū: Seikū is the son of Shakkū. Seikū was disappointed in his father's crafting sword to kill, but changed his mind when he finds out that his father had created the Sakabatō to atone for what he had done.
- Arai Azusa: Seikū is Azusa's husband. He loves his wife and they seem to get along really well.
- Arai Iori: Seikū is Iori's father. He loves and cares for his son, risking his own life to try to liberate him from capture by Sawagejō Chō.
Abilities[]
Seikū is a skilled blacksmith, who decided to use such skills in the new era to create tableware devices.
History[]
Kyōto Arc[]
In defiance to his father creating swords that kill, Seikū abandons the trade of forging swords and instead decides to earn a living through the sale of kitchen wares and knives that he manufactures. However, after Himura Kenshin's Sakabatō breaks at the hands of Seta Sōjirō in the Shingetsu village, the former seeks Seikū's help in getting a new sword, in order to continue his battle against Shishio and his forces. Seikū respectfully refuses, however, Shishio's spies become aware of what has taken place and a skilled swordsman of the Juppongatana, named Sawagejō Chō, attains Shishio's permission to pursue Seikū, so that he can get his hands on the final sword manufactured by Shakkū, which is at the time kept in a Holy Shrine (being the only sword that has not been bloodied).
As Chō makes his way to the shrine (which he learns of after threatening to kill Seikū's infant child, Iori, whom he takes hostage), he comes across Kenshin, who is forced to battle him using the his broken Sakabatō. Although Kenshin performs well and is able to down Chō several times, he finds himself at a major disadvantage facing Chō's Hakujin no Tachi. Finally, when Seikū, his wife, Makimachi Misao and Kashiwazaki Nenji come to the shrine, Seikū reluctantly decides to enter the shrine and retrieve his father's final sword, which he gives to Kenshin (knowing that Kenshin is putting his life on the line to protect Iori). With the new sword, Kenshin easily defeats Chō, believing briefly that he has broken his vow to kill. It is then discovered that the final sword was actually the principal forge of the Sakabatō (far more powerful than the one broken by Sōjirō) and that Chō is still alive, though badly injured and later jailed.
Etymology[]
- Arai means "fresh, new" (新) (ara) and "well, mine shaft, pit" (井) (i).
- Seikū means "blue sky" (青空).
Trivia[]
- He was portrayed by Dai Watanabe in the live-action sequel film.
Gallery[]
To be added