Himura Kenshin
Himura Kenshin (緋村 剣心 Himura Kenshin, June 20 1849-1895 (ova only), (no known date of death in the manga)), known in Western-order (Kenshin Himura) in the English anime, is a fictional character of the anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X.
His Japanese seiyū is Mayo Suzukaze and his English voice actors are Richard Hayworth (TV) and J. Shanon Weaver (OVA).
Biography
The main character of the Rurouni Kenshin series, Kenshin was a former Imperialist assassin that went by the name "Hitokiri Battousai" (spelled with a macron in the Viz manga, and spelled as "Hitokiri Battousai" in the English anime releases). The title implies he has mastered the technique of Battoujutsu (sword drawing technique, studied in modern times as Iaijutsu) and can draw his sword with lightning speed. "Hitokiri" was the title given to the feared assassins ("man slayers" in the English anime.) After the revolution, he parted ways with his old katana and wakizashi (companion sword) for a reverse-bladed sword sakabotō, given to him by a master swordsmith named Shakku, and assumed the life of a "rurouni". This word was created by Watsuki as a fusion of the words "Ronin" (masterless samurai) and "wanderer". Kenshin becomes a technical master of the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū swordstyle after completing his previously abandoned training with his master, but declines the official mastership and title of "Seijuro Hiko" (given to each disciple who masters Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu swordsmanship. Also, there is a traditional cape that is passed down to each "Seijuro Hiko"). Kenshin has quite a distinctive appearance, slightly feminine (common in most anime/manga, but most likely a reference to his real-life inspiration, Kawakami Gensai) with bright red hair and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. This was an intentional act on the creator, Nobuhiro Watsuki's, part - he was looking to create a character with a visage contrary to what a samurai brings to mind. Instead of a gruff man of comparable stature, he ended up with what he admitted was a woman, adding a scar in an attempt to add masculinity to the character. In addition, Watsuki also took the selflessness of Okita Souji of the Shinsengumi and the mystery of Saito Hajime to create Kenshin. According to his official biography, Kenshin was born on June 20, 1849. He stands at 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) and weighs 48 kg (106 lb).
The contrast of Kenshin and his former Battousai persona are used as metaphors of change and renewal, and most noticeably, repentance and redemption. Kenshin, the pleasant and humble wanderer of the Meiji Era, and "Battousai", the assassin he was during the feudal era during the reign of the Shogunate. Under dire circumstances, Kenshin can lapse into his old ways of the Battousai persona, usually during extreme circumstances in which an innocent person's life is at stake.
In the original Japanese anime and manga, the form of "I" that Kenshin uses is "sessha" (humble first-person), which is extremely respectful and humble. Saying "sessha" would be the English equivalent of saying "this clumsy one". Use of the word humbles oneself extremely before the person he or she is talking to, making you seem less important than them in retrospect. The Viz translation of just "this one" does not entirely emphasize this. The word is often used to distinguish the two sides of Kenshin - for instance, the "hitokiri" side of Kenshin would instead refer to himself as "ore," the most confident, if not conceited, form of "I". Also, in the original Japanese anime and manga, "Rurouni" Kenshin uses the word "gozaru", an old samurai speech sentence ender, which is a form of "to be", which the "battousai" side doesn't use. This is translated in the English dub into Kenshin saying "that it is" numerous times. All of Kenshin's speech patterns would be the equivalent of "old english", an example of which being "thou". Some would say that the difference between "rurouni" and "battousai" is so extreme that Kenshin may actually have a split personality.
As mentioned earlier, the real life inspiration for Kenshin is Kawakami Gensai, who was a real hitokiri and master swordsman who worked with the Imperialists (Ishin Shisi, just like Kenshin) during the Meiji revolution, but afterwords his personal beliefs, such as disapproval of Japan's new freedom from isolation and opening to the western world, clashed with that of the new government, a conflict that resulted in his execution/assassination. Like Kenshin, Kawakami was a small, thin man of almost feminine appearance. However, Gensai, in comparison, created his own unique swordstyle, whereas Kenshin's Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu was handed down from master to disciple.
Template:Spoiler Kenshin was sold into slavery after his parents died of cholera. Kenshin's original given name is "Shinta", and had no family name. Hiko Seijurō the XIII gave him the given name "Kenshin" (Ken=sword, Shin=heart therefore = heart of sword). Kenshin later obtained "Himura" (of the scarlet village), his family name.
Seijuro Hiko raises and trains Kenshin in the art of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, until, at the age of 14, Kenshin's decision to get involved with the Revolution clashes with Hiko's neutral standpoint, claiming that whoever acquires Kenshin would be granted victory. This conflict causes young Kenshin to abandon his training and master to fight for what he believes - the ideal of protecting innocent lives. During this time, his sword skills are noticed by Takasugi Shinsaku, leader of the Kiheitai and second in command of the Choshu Ishin Shishi. He later points out the boy to his longtime friend Katsura Kogoro, commander of the Choshu Ishin Shishi, who immediately wants the boy to be imported into his ranks. However, in turn, Katsura must swear an oath to Shinsaku to never draw his sword again, apparently in exchange for taking the boy's "purity".
He is assigned the role of an assassin, and shared the common goal of the Ishin Shishi to deliver "Tenchu" (punishment from the heavens) upon the Shogunate. The next year, during a mission to assassinate Shigekura Jubei, he encounters a Mimawarigumi member on bodyguard duty named Kiyosato. After disposing of Jubei and his other bodyguards, Kenshin attempts to do away with Kiyosato as well. During the battle, Kiyosato's determination to live, namely for his fiancee`Yukishiro Tomoe, manages to give him enough strength and will to scar the "battousai" on his left cheek, an act thought impossible by the Ishin Shishi. The manga and OVA differ somewhat on the perspective of the "initial" scar. The manga portrays it as nothing more than a wound, whereas the OVA causes the wound to bleed whenever battousai kills, apparently, holding a "grudge" against Kenshin from beyond the grave. Soon after, Kenshin encounters Tomoe for the first time in a tavern, whom he defends against the harassment of a few drunkards.
After leaving the tavern, a dual-wielding assassin attempts an ambush, only to be split in half by his own weapon in a torrent of blood. The blood falls like rain and splatters upon Tomoe, who claims "You truly...make it rain blood." She faints, and, despite Kenshin's protocol to kill any person whom catches him "in the act", takes her back to the Ishin Shishi makeshift headquarters. During this time, Tomoe and Kenshin develop a loose "relationship", in which Tomoe slowly notices that the battousai is more of a pure and innocent child than a brutal manslayer. However, during this time, the Ishin Shishi is virtually split in two when the decision to light Kyoto ablaze causes a famous conflict with the deadly "Wolves of Mibu", the Shinsengumi.
Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen
Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal
Katsura orders Kenshin and Tomoe to abandon Kyoto, and flee to a remote village where Kenshin will put on the facade of a pharmacist, and, more importantly, husband and wife. During this time, Kenshin and Tomoe begin to slowly form a deeper relationship, until they begin to fall in love. Kenshin swears to Tomoe, "I will protect you", seemingly to find a reason to live with her. Later, Tomoe's younger brother, Enishi Yukishiro manages to find what was supposed to be their hidden location. It is then revealed Tomoe's true role was to avenge the death of her fiance, Kiyosato. Tomoe, decides that Kenshin had "taken her happiness only to give her another", so that he may, in due time, protect more lives than he had ever taken.
During Tomoe's last meeting with the Shogunate conspirator, Kenshin seeks to find Tomoe, only to be ambushed. Unknown to Tomoe till that day, the Shogunate conspirators had actually used her to create Kenshin's weakness. In the end, with a last desperate attack to defeat the final opponent and to rescue Tomoe, Kenshin blindly swings his sword, killing both his assailant, and Tomoe, who had jumped in at the last minute to save Kenshin from a surely fatal attack. In the end, Kenshin holds his dying wife in his arms, who utters the words "I'm sorry, darling" as she takes a knife and makes yet another slash across his scar, finally forming the "X/cross shaped scar". Tomoe personally slashing the scar is another deviation from the manga by the OVA. The manga instead details that the knife had flew from Tomoe's hands into the air and coincidentally landed so it slashed Kenshin's cheek in a way that created the X/cross shaped scar. Enishi, who watches the entire event unfold, develops an unparalled malice towards Kenshin, wanting revenge, upon which he will later return to extract.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
Rurouni Kenshin: Romantic tale of a Meiji Swordsman
Following the death of his beloved wife, Kenshin vows never to kill again once he finishes his work to bring about the revolution, seeking life as a wanderer (or "rurouni"). With his reverse-blade sword, or sakabato, the rurouni travels freely helping strangers here and there. It is during this period of his life that Kenshin meets Kamiya Kaoru, the young master of the Kamiya-Kasshin-ryu dojo, who was seeking a man parading around as the "Battousai". In the end, Kenshin rescues the girl and defeats the faux battousai, at the same time, revealing his true identity. However, instead of allowing Kenshin to continuing his wandering, she offers him a "home". In the end, he concedes to accepting Kaoru's offer to stay in the dojo. Kenshin's life from then on is filled with numerous adventures. He establishes lifelong relationships with the son of a samurai/former pickpocket thief Myojin Yahiko; former Sekihotai member/street fighter for hire Sagara Sanosuke; foxy doctor Takani Megumi; Machimaki Misao and rival-turned-ally Shinomori Aoshi (both members of the Oniwaban-shu ninja clan); along with longtime adversary of the hitokiri battousai, ex-Shinsengumi member, Saito Hajime (who is of course, directly based off the historical Saito Hajime). Likewise, Kenshin makes his share of enemies - most notably former assassin and general lunatic Kurogasa Jin- e; Shishio Makoto, successor to Kenshin's position as assassin; and another, more haunting, ghost from his past, Yukishiro Enishi, Tomoe's revenge-obsessed brother. To defeat such foes, Kenshin was forced to resume his training and mend his relationship with Hiko Seijurō , while forging the strongest bonds with his allies and enemies. In doing so, Kenshin falls in love with Kaoru and eventually marries her, having a son named Himura Kenji.
In Rurouni Kenshin: Seisōhen/Samurai X: Reflection, a controversial OVA which chronicles some events of the series and the aftermath (though not accepted by fans who stay true to events narrated in the manga). While the animation is heavily similar to the fluid and vivid realism of the other OVA, Trust & Betrayal, it took many liberties with both the anime series and manga, taking out several key elements of both plot and story (namely that of the Jinchu arc), along with changing many characterizations and conceiving an ending that had very mixed opinions. Kenshin eventually becomes ravaged by an unknown disease, however, in an attempt to "understand his pain", Kaoru allows Kenshin to make intimate contact with her, spreading his disease onto her. During this time, Kenshin leaves to continue his quest (without either a sakabatou or a katana) for peace, leaving many troubles and worries at home (namely with Kenji and Kaoru). Sanosuke, much older and wilder-looking, uncovers Kenshin's whereabouts, shockingly coming to realize how much of a weakend state his lifelong friend had now dropped to. Eventually, Sanosuke aids Kenshin by helping him get a boat back to Tokyo. Upon arriving, a bed ridden Kaoru, almost on instinct, gets up to walk outside the dojo on the cherry blossom path, seeing her husband struggling with each step to meet her. The two finally meet after what seems like an eternity, as Kenshin finally collapses in her lap. She reflects on their love, holding his head in her lap. With the silence growing stronger, Kaoru realizes that Kenshin had finally died. Upon brushing his hair off his left cheek, Kaoru notices Kenshin's scar has finally faded away, signifying an end to his life of pain and bloodshed and commencement to a life of peace. After the credits, and an older Kenji and his lover, strongly resembling both Kenshin and Kaoru, walk down that same path, giving a somewhat happy ending as history repeats itself.
It should be noted, however, that this ending is different from that of the manga, which leaves off on a positive note shortly after Kenshin and Kaoru become a happy family with baby Kenji. A short "spiritual" sequel to Kenshin, Yahiko no Sakaboto, was published in Shonen Jump circa 1999, covering the life of Yahiko at a point nearly five years into the future. There is also a final sequel chapter called Haru ni Sakura (Cherry Blossoms in Spring) which is in the Kenshin Kaden book. In this final story, the main characters gather for a sort of reunion picnic. Kenshin and Kaoru are alive and healthy, with no signs of Kenshin wanting to wander again. Sanosuke is still abroad, but sends a letter saying he shall return soon.
List of his techniques
- Ka Ryu Sen: a gust of wind caused by Kenshin's sakabatō, he uses this to stun or impede opponents at a distance.
- Kenshin Ryu Spinning Circular Attack: in Samurai X: The Motion Picture (Requiem for the Ishin Patriots), Kenshin faces against an old enemy who witnessed his best friend's death at Kenshin's hands. He therefore learned all of Kenshin's moves and countered them with his sword and sheath attack style. As his last resort, Kenshin jumped up and fooled his opponent into believing that he was going to use the Ryu Tsui Zen. Kenshin then spun around and delivered an airborne, spinning attack that was very similar to the Amakakeru Ryu No Hirameki. Sagara Sanosuke named this attack.
About Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū
Supersonic Sword Technique. Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū is a fictional ancient sword style that is said to pit one against many. It is a sword art that is passed from master to apprentice, its masters inheriting the name of Hiko Seijuro.
There are quite a few techniques within this sword style, all of them utilizing godlike speed and precision.
Himura Kenshin mastered the Battoujutsu style, (note the name Battousai) perfecting all parts of it, including all of its weaknesses. Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu style Battoujutsu also uses godlike speed.
List of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū techniques
Both Kenshin's and his master's:
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Doryusen (Ground Dragon Flash)
A quick blow against the ground, causing massive airwaves/rocks to strike enemies. Generally a weak technique.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūtsuisen (Dragon Hammer Flash)
An overhead, double-handed swing, delivered after a jump.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūtsuisen~ Zan (Dragon Hammer Flash~ Tragedy)
A downward striking stab, delivered after a jump.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūshōsen (Dragon Rising Flash)
An upward, double-handed slash, often delivered with a jump. The main target is the opponent's neck.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūtsuishōsen (Dragon Hammer Rising Flash)
Rapid combination of Ryūtsuisen and Ryūshōsen.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūkansen (Dragon Spiral Flash)
A swing that takes advantage of the entire body's turning motion to dodge an enemy's attack or to bypass an enemy's defense, striking immediately after.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūkansen Tsumuji (Dragon Coil Flash: Whirlwind)
Differs from the normal Ryūkansen in that the swordsman is in motion (and in one particular case in midair) while spinning.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūkansen Kogarashi (Dragon Coil Flash Winter Wind)
Differs from the normal Ryūkansen in that the target is the opponent's head.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūkansen Arashi (Dragon Coil Flash Storm)
Differs from the normal Ryūkansen in that the swordsman is in a full somersault while attacking.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūsōsen (Dragon's Nest Flash)
Using the Godlike speed, this is simply a super-fast succession of swordstrikes.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūsōsen ~Garami (Dragon's Nest Flash~ Strangle)
Again using Godlike speed, a super-fast succession of swordstrikes is made, this time aimed at specifically one point (i.e. The head).
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Ryūmeisen (Dragon Roar Flash)
A reverse-battou of sorts, slamming the sword back into its sheath at superfast speeds and causing a miniature sonic boom.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Kuzuryūsen (Nine Headed Dragon Flash)
In all forms of kendo, there are nine vital target points: right shoulder, left shoulder, right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg, between the legs, head, and chest. All forms of attack and defense thus focus on these points. Using the Godlike speed of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū, the swordsman strikes all nine target points at once, making any normal defense impossible. This can be considered a step up from the Ryūsōsen, which uses the Godlike speed to make successive attacks. The mark of the Kuzuryūsen is the simultaneous nature of the nine strikes. Learning this technique is the first step to understanding the nature of the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki. This technique appears to be a favourite of Kenshin's master.
Battō-jutsu Techniques
- Art of Drawing the Blade
Stance with right foot placed in front of left, pressing the blade of the sheathed sword against the curve of the sheath, which increases draw speed. The drawing of the blade is the same motion used for the attack. It is an all-or-nothing attack where missing the target results in the user being completely vulnerable. Kenshin's hitokiri name, "battōsai", means "one who has mastered the battō-jutsu". In full, Himura Kenshin was referred to as being the Legendary Hitokiri Battōsai - The man slayer who has mastered the battō-jutsu. In the English version of the anime, they use the name Battōsai, the man slayer for short.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Soryūsen (Twin Dragon Flash)
As above, but with a follow-up attack utilizing the sheath as its secondary strike. This second swing "covers" the period of vulnerability left after a normal battōjutsu.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Soryūsen Ikazuchi (Twin Dragon Flash Thunder)
An alternate version of the above two-strike attack. The first attack is with the sheath, pushing the opponent's parrying weapon out of position for the second, drawn weapon attack.
- Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū: Hiryūsen (Flying Dragon Flash)
Beginning with the sword still sheathed, the swordsman thrusts his arm outward, flicking the tsuba of the sword with his thumb at the same time. The sword is flung out of the sheath at high speed to strike the opponent. A technique with power on the same order of the Douryūsen.
- Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki (Heavens Bridging Dragon Spark, translated as "Dragon Flight of Heaven" in Viz manga)
This is Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū's ōgi (secret technique, the one technique that distills the teachings of the school to a single, signature move). This attack is a modification of a normal battōjutsu. Normally when using a Battōjutsu, the right leg is in front of the left leg so as not to cut one's leg off when drawing from the left. The only way to defeat the Kuzuryūsen is by surpassing the Godlike speed of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū, being faster than the fastest of attacks. In Rurouni Kenshin, where microseconds make the difference between success and failure, the way to do so is to quickly step forward with the left leg an instant after drawing the sword. The last step adds force and acceleration to the swing, making Kenshin's Shinsoku, or God-Speed, into the even faster Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki.
There is another secret to this technique. If the initial strike is blocked, the unusually fast slashing motion generates a vacuum in it's wake from the clashing of the two blades. This vacuum actually sucks in the user's opponent, leaving them completely open for the second strike of the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki that follows the first, which is the true secret technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū. This second slash concentrates the power of the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki and makes it far more powerful than the first strike.
"Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki" is so fast that its implementation can be successful even when the enemy's strike has actually reached the user's body, as in Rurouni Kenshin manga volume 14. As depicted, Shinomori Aoshi's signature Kaiten-kenbu Rokuren attack has actually begun to cut into Kenshin's neck when Kenshin released the attack, and blows Aoshi back before he can even finish.
"Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki" is the pinnacle of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. Part of its strength is its user's dominating will to live. "To live! that is the heart of existence," admonishes Kenshin's shishō.
Miscellaneous Techniques
- Zantetsu
The most skilled swordsmen were purportedly able to use their swords to cut through steel. Kenshin states he can use it anywhere except underwater.
- Shiraha Dori
A defensive technique where the enemy's sword is stopped by a clapping motion of both hands. This was the move used to defeat Shinomori Aoshi in the Tokyo Arc.
- Modoshi Giri (Return Cut)
The most skilled swordsmen using the best of blades were supposedly able to slice an object in two and rejoin the halves together, as if it were never cut at all.