Ichiyō is the protagonist of Haigakura, a young man who works as a Kashikan, a type of song officer. In this role, he is tasked with traveling to other realms to recapture gods who have fled, in order to restore stability to his own world. He is a young man of nineteen years old who is easily recognized by the red cloth or scarf he always wears around his neck. Concealed beneath this red fabric is a small pair of wings, a unique physical trait not seen in ordinary humans which hints at a mysterious and unconventional nature.

Ichiyō holds an infamous reputation among his peers, often being referred to as the worst Kashikan in history. The primary reason for this low regard is his complete lack of musical ability; he is profoundly tone-deaf, which is a severe handicap for an officer whose duties revolve around using songs to confine gods. While he is quite skilled at the associated dances, his inability to sing properly has led many to consider him a dropout. This lack of success in his official duties means he is perpetually short on money and often depends on his friend Rakan for meals.

Despite his struggles, Ichiyō possesses a unique set of abilities and a personal motivation that drives him forward. His primary goal is not fame or duty, but to liberate his foster father, Hakugou, a divine white tiger beast who raised him. Hakugou was captured and forced to serve as a replacement for the gods who fled, and Ichiyō seeks to recover the evil gods to secure his foster father's freedom and return to their peaceful life together. His background is enigmatic, as his biological parents are unknown and he did not attend the official academy for Kashikan. He was raised by Hakugou in a shrine forest and was later imprisoned after his foster father was taken away, but was encouraged by a figure named Ai-Seiwa to pursue the path of a poet.

In terms of personality, Ichiyō is often characterized as sarcastic and prone to violence, with a lazy and undisciplined attitude toward his work. He frequently tries to avoid writing reports, claiming he has no successes to share, and can be disrespectful even to powerful authority figures like Hakushurin. However, this exterior masks a more complex individual with a strong sense of loyalty to his companions. He shares a special bond with his subordinate gods, Tenkō and Kaka, treating them with a level of respect and care that is rare among Kashikan, who often enslave captured gods. Despite his status as a failure, he is the disciple of the legendary Kashikan Ransaiwa, who famously does not take students, making this connection a source of rumors and resentment among others.

Ichiyō has several notable weaknesses, including a hatred of water and an inability to swim, which forces him to rely on Tenkō for help crossing rivers. Conversely, he demonstrates several unique powers. He has shown the ability to use fire, an unusual skill for a normal human, and was once able to melt one of Tenkō's seals using intense heat. He is also capable of managing and handling powerful spirit beasts like Tenkō and Kaka without a trainer, even if they do not always obey him fully. The mystery surrounding his origins is deepened by hints that he may be connected to a legendary artifact known as the Moon Egg, which could explain his extraordinary traits and why a human-hating divine beast like Hakugou chose to raise him. Throughout the story, he gathers more servants and faces powerful enemies like Sanu, all while the mystery of his own identity and his connection to the missing gods deepens.