Mr. Kusakabe, a 1950s archaeology professor in rural Japan, lives with his daughters Satsuki and Mei while his wife Yasuko undergoes tuberculosis treatment nearby. Relocating to the countryside to stay close to her hospital, he juggles academic duties with caring for his children, often working late into the night while fostering a comforting, playful environment for them.

He embodies patience and warmth, approaching his daughters’ vivid imaginations with thoughtful openness. When Mei insists she met a forest spirit, he affirms her experience by proposing it might be a kami—a Shinto entity—and later leads the family to a shrine to honor the encounter, blending respect for their perspectives with cultural tradition.

His pragmatic appearance features dark hair, brown eyes, and thick black glasses, often paired with a red vest, blue trousers, and white undershirt—a look underscoring his scholarly yet devoted family role.

Playfully engaging with Satsuki and Mei, he diffuses their fears of supernatural occurrences like the susuwatari (soot sprites) in their home. During a storm, he encourages laughter to ease their anxiety, prioritizing optimism despite his own unspoken worries about Yasuko’s health.

A subplot in Giko Kubo’s novelization alludes to a potential link to Hokkaido through his knowledge of a Hokkaido University dormitory song, hinting at a past connection though leaving it unresolved within the film.

Though his screen time is brief, his presence anchors the family’s stability. He quietly navigates concerns over Satsuki’s premature adoption of maternal duties, voicing these worries to Yasuko during hospital visits while steadfastly supporting both daughters through their challenges.

No expanded media beyond the original film or novelization elaborates on his background.