Yuyama Kakunojo leads the traveling kabuki theater group known as the Yuyama Troupe. Her parents, shipping and wholesale merchants who supported the Emperor, were murdered by Hario Genba during the Ansei Purges when she was a child. She survived the attack through the intervention of her father's acquaintance Zagashira and apprentice Ebisu, with Ebisu sustaining severe burns while protecting her. After the fire destroyed her home, she formed the Yuyama Troupe alongside Zagashira and Ebisu to journey across Japan seeking Hario and exacting revenge for her parents' deaths.

The troupe expanded to include playwright Sotetsu Ibaragi, who joined for undisclosed reasons, as well as Shiranui Kozo and Kakashi no Keishin, both drawn to the group's objectives. Kakunojo shares a childhood connection with Yojiro Akizuki, having resided in the same orphanage before her adoption. This history grows significant as she develops deep romantic feelings for him during their travels, believing their destinies intertwined.

A supernatural element links to her character through a sword Lord Shoten identifies as the "yang" complement to Yojiro's Moon Tear Sword, which embodies "yin." Beyond leading the troupe, she participates directly in their quests and confrontations, driven equally by vengeance and her deepening bond with Yojiro.

Physically, she has green eyes and purple hair—though one source notes her hair may be brown. She typically wears traditional attire including a hakama, accessorized with a scarf, hair ornament, and fan.