Higashidani Kamishimoemon (東谷 上下ェ門) is a farmer living the province of Shinshū.
Appearance[]
Kamishimoemon is a tall man with a muscular build. He has light color short hair, thin eyebrows, stumbles around his chin, and wrickles around his moth and eyes.
Kamishimoemon wears black haori with a white trim, white at the edge of his sleeves, and white lines above the white on his sleeves, white pants that are tied below his knees, sandals, a white hachimaki around his head, and a pipe in his mouth.
Personality[]
Kamishimoemon is a kind and caring man. He cares about his home town and the people who live there, as he stood against Fudosawa from trying to take it over. Kamishimoemon also understands to not tip the balance between him and Fudosawa, and deliberately head back to save the town. Kamishimoemon can be irresponsible, as he drank to much and had Ota drink his share when Uki cut him off.
Relationships[]
- Higashidani Naname: They were married since they were teenagers and become parents to their first child at a young age.
- Sanosuke: He was his first child at a young age (22). Kamishimoemon was upset when Sano left and later joined the Sekihō Army, but was relieved when he returned nearly a decade later. Kamishimoemon came to respect Sano and his high level of skill as a fighter (which exceeded even his) and respected his decision to leave once again, although he offered him a place in the family once again.
- Uki: In her mother's place, Uki takes the burden of responsibility and duty towards her family, serving as her roguish father's disciplinarian and her little brother Ōta's caretaker. Kamishimoemon plays along with Uki's uptight nature because he is well aware how afraid she is to lose more family members after Naname's death and Sanosuke's disappearance.
- Ōta: The youngest son of the Higashidani family, Ōta is always taken care of by his older sister Uki. However, Kamishimoemon often tries to involve his little boy in his debauchery, hoping to liven him up.
Abilities[]
Kamishimoemon is a skilled fighter and is able to easily take out two of Fudosawa's thugs with one blow. He is also able to catch an arrow, fired at him, and throw it back with much force.
Techniques[]
- Father's Tornado Toss: After an opponent throws a punch, Kamishimoemon grabs their arm and throws them while twisting, to cause his opponent to spin in the air.
- Father's Burning Soul: As his opponent get close, Kamishimoemon blows an ember from his piper, onto his opponent's nose.
History[]
He and his wife, Naname, had three children--Sanosuke, Uki and Ota. After Sanosuke left to join the Sekihō Army during the bakumatsu and his wife died, he continued to raise his two remaining children. When the farm began failing, his family wove and sold straw gasa hats for monetary support. When a greedy ex-wrestler schemes to steal the Higashidani farmland, Kamishimoemon begins a lengthy resistance against long odds.
Jinchu Arc[]
Kamishimoemon is at home, making hats, when his daughter and son return. Uki talks about Sano, which he comments about wanting to meet him.
The next day, Kamishimoemon receives a challenge letter from the Hiruma brother, to fight Sano. After telling his daughter that he is heading out, he arrives at the spot for the fight and finds out that Sano is his son. After a short conversation with Kamishimoemon punches Sano, the two start to fight. The fight continues until it gets late, and he has to return home. Sano says that Kamishimoemon is running away, but he explains his situation and leaves. Kamishimoemon returns home, which Uki notices that her father is unusually happy.
The next day, they manages to finish making all the hats and head out to sell them. They encounter Sano in their field, which Kamishimoemon invites him to lunch for helping his kids the other day. Once in town, he goes to sell the hats while his kids start to order lunch. When he gets to the store he finds out that the owner won't buy the hats and explains the situation. Kamishimoemon gives the owner the hats as an apology and leaves the store. Once outside, he if confronted by Fudosawa and his men. Fudosawa introduces his uncle and explains what would happen to the town if his uncle would get hurt, and has his men attack Kamishimoemon. Suddenly Sano intervenes and recognizes Tani, which Tani also recognizes Sano and forces his nephew and his men to retreat. Kamishimoemon get angry at Sano and the two start a fight.
Later that night, the family is having dinner with Kamishimoemon dragging Sano with them. Sano then notices that memorial, which Kamishimoemon explain that its for his wife. Suddenly the people for the town arrives and have brought food to give to Kamishimoemon's family. As the town people explain that they want to fight too, but Sano and Kamishimoemon explains that they can't and decide to hold a party with what they brought. After the party, Kamishimoemon leaves without telling Uki were he is going.
Kamishimoemon is heading to were Fudosawa's gang is, when he is confronted by Sano. Kamishimoemon explains how everything was in a stall mate but Sano arrival has tipped that. Kamishimoemon says that Sano can take his place at home and he will deal with Fudosawa, but Sano easily knock him unconscious and says that he will buy his fight. Later, Ota finds his father and wakes him up. Kamishimoemon and Uta quickly head to Sano's location, but find out that Sano has defeated all of Fudosawa's men. The three head back home, which Uta ends up falling asleep. Kamishimoemon explains that situation with Uki and Uta, and that everything will be balanced with Sano's return but they both laugh that at. Kamishimoemon then bids Sano farewell, as Sano heads off back to Tokyo. Kamishimoemon then takes Ota back home.
The next day, Kamishimoemon talks with the mayor about what Sano had done. Then Kamishimoemon watches with the mayor and Uki, as Ota runs off with the evil character now on the back of his shirt.
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
Like the rest of the Higashidani family, the origin of his name comes from a direction, in his case Kami means "Up" and Shimo "Down".
- Higashidani means "east" (東) (higashi) and "valley" (谷) (tani/dani).
- Kamishimoemon means "up and down gate" (東谷 上下ェ門).