San Hojo serves as the matriarch of the Hojo family in wartime Kure, wife to Entaro Hojo, and mother to Shusaku Hojo and Keiko Kuromura. She possesses a notably gentle, kind-hearted, and compassionate nature, setting her apart from the era's customary expectations for mothers-in-law in arranged marriages. This kindness extends fully to her daughter-in-law, Suzu Urano, after Suzu marries Shusaku and joins the household; San treats Suzu equitably, reflecting her inherently nurturing character.

A leg injury restricts San's mobility and limits her ability to assist with household tasks, creating practical domestic challenges. While Suzu's arrival provides essential support for managing the home and caregiving duties stemming from San's condition—implying a possible motivation for Shusaku's marriage—this implication is explicitly denied by Shusaku within the narrative. Despite her reduced physical capacity, San maintains her matriarchal presence.

Throughout depicted events, including wartime rationing, air raids, and family losses, San's character remains consistent in her supportive and maternal role. She provides stability within the Hojo household alongside Entaro. Her interactions primarily offer a steady, calming influence as the family adapts to postwar circumstances following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Japan's surrender, with no significant character transformation documented across the narrative arcs.