Sōichirō Shimogamo was patriarch of the Shimogamo family and the Nise-emon, leader of Kyoto's tanuki society. His leadership united the community for years, commanding respect from tanuki and tengu alike. He possessed extraordinary transformation powers, famously becoming an entire mountain during the False Nyoigatake Incident to deter the Kurama tengu – a legendary feat surpassing typical tanuki ability. His personality blended magnanimity with a playful spirit; he was a lively figure who relished festivities. Yet, he harbored a specific vulnerability: encountering the human-tengu Benten disrupted his transformations, reverting him to his tanuki form. His sons inherited distinct aspects of his character: Yasaburō his perceived foolishness and carefree nature, Yaichirō his sense of responsibility, Yajirō his easygoing demeanor, and Yashirō his innocence. Sōichirō's death before the series began catalyzed the narrative. Betrayed by his resentful younger brother, Sōun Ebisugawa – who coveted both the Nise-emon title and Sōichirō's wife – Sōun colluded with Benten to capture him. This led to Sōichirō being served as tanuki hot pot at a gathering of the Friday Fellows, humans who consume tanuki. Even during capture, he maintained composure and dignity, telling one member he accepted his fate having lived fully. His final act was a deliberate sacrifice to protect his family and annul Yasaburō's arranged marriage to Kaisei Ebisugawa. His death drastically impacted his family: the Shimogamos lost their social standing, Sōun severed ties to pursue the Nise-emon position, and his son Yajirō retreated into guilt-ridden isolation as a frog, blaming himself for abandoning Sōichirō. His legacy continued to shape the tanuki community and his sons' development, with revelations about his sacrifice and the betrayal driving key events in subsequent storylines.