Hyosuke

Hyosuke (or 兵介) is an aspiring sculptor who worked with Azumi for a while under Tenkai's orders. He has an amazing memory and never forgets a face once he has seen one. He questioned why she works as an assassin and offered her a way out of the shinobi's way of life, but although grateful, she declined his offer. She later requested Tenkai to let him apprentice under the famous Hidari Jingoro, as it's his dream to become a sculptor."'Still, it's so amazing! Just focus a bit and you remember, huh? And you can carve Tobizaru's likeness from this rock nearly perfectly - all from memory! You're amazing, Hyosuke-dono! You'll become the best sculptor in all the land; I know it! You could carve a bird about to take flight anytime, and you could carve a running bird anytime too!' Azumi (Chapter 214)"During the Yagyu arc, he lived in the neighbouring province, which was under direct shogunate control (imperial fief).

He has the ability to perfectly remember a face he's only seen once. He doesn't remember all the people he passes by though, only the ones he pays a little attention to. Although he is able to capture the likeness of anyone, his dream is to carve something original, "a sculpture that strikes the soul; that grasps the heart and mind of its viewer." "'Take the facial expression for example. They say the Nio have a daring and threatening aspect, while the Hannya have an apect of jealousy and hatred to them. But who feels what depends on the person that lays eyes upon them. Even those who see a peaceful facial expression on Buddha and Bodhisattva statues sometimes happen to feel that they have a hidden face. A sculpture of true grandeur, certainly stealing the attention of all who see it ... arousing their emotions, captivating their souls ... I'd see that it had that kind of power! I want to be able to carve a sculpture like that! I feel that in order to do so, I must polish not only my skills with carving, but my own heart as well. I know this must sound profound. I know that my goal is still very far away... But I feel that even if it takes me a lifetime to reach it, I will have no regrets!'"Throughout his time with Azumi, he always wished he could hold her tight and protect her as her husband, but is always aware of his powerlessness to truly protect her from those after her head.