Madenokōji Arikoto, born into nobility, forsakes court life to become a monk, seeking to alleviate suffering despite his father's objections. His wisdom and striking appearance draw the attention of Lady Kasuga. She engineers his forced entry into the Ōoku, the shogun's inner chambers. To break his vows, she employs coercion that results in the death of his companion, compelling his compliance to save another follower. This ends his abbacy at Keiko-in. Initially resisting his new role as a concubine, he is renamed "O-Man" by Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa. After defending Iemitsu against insults from other concubines, he faces isolation and accusations of opportunism. His circumstances shift when Iemitsu gifts him a cat, prompting visits where they share personal grief, including her lost daughter. Their bond deepens into mutual love after he challenges her cruelty and acknowledges their shared suffering, offering emotional support during her distress. Despite their relationship, Lady Kasuga replaces him with another concubine, Sutezou, due to his inability to produce an heir. Though banned from Iemitsu's chambers, he accepts this peacefully and treats Sutezou kindly despite personal anguish. Iemitsu affirms her exclusive love for him, but their separation remains. Over time, he adapts to the Ōoku, mastering swordsmanship and archery. He mentors other men, providing purpose through lectures and organizing cultural activities like chrysanthemum viewings, which inadvertently foster extravagance. He demonstrates forgiveness by caring for Lady Kasuga during her illness and tending to smallpox victims, risking his own life. On her deathbed, she entrusts him with overseeing the Ōoku and the shogun's welfare. Requesting release from concubine duties to avoid witnessing Iemitsu with others, he is appointed Senior Chamberlain, governing all men in the Ōoku—a historically unprecedented role for a concubine. His name is absent from official records due to the convention of listing concubines by female names. He remains Iemitsu's confidant until her death, where she declares her enduring love and asks him to guide her daughter as shogun. He dedicates his remaining life to this role. Personality assessments describe him as an INFJ with a strong moral compass (Enneagram 9w1), emphasizing empathy, resilience, and idealism. He transforms suffering into compassion, maintaining integrity through manipulation and trauma. His leadership fosters community, though his initiatives sometimes have unintended consequences for the Ōoku's culture.