Arikoto Madenokoji, born into Kyoto nobility, renounced court life to become a Buddhist monk dedicated to helping others, a path permitted by his father despite reservations. He gained renown as the wise and compassionate abbot of Keiko-in temple, admired for his profound empathy and commitment to alleviating suffering. His striking handsomeness, with dark brown eyes and hair, often left others speechless. Lady Kasuga, the power behind the Tokugawa shogunate, forcibly recruited him into the Ōoku—the inner chambers housing male consorts for the female shogun Iemitsu—to serve as her concubine. She employed extreme measures to break his monastic vows, imprisoning him and orchestrating the deaths of one companion monk and a courtesan. To save his remaining companion, Gyokuei, Arikoto reluctantly broke his vows by sleeping with a courtesan, ending his religious life. His family accepted gold in exchange for his service. Initially resistant, Arikoto defended Iemitsu against insults from other consorts, leading to his isolation within the Ōoku. Renamed "O-Man" by Iemitsu, he endured physical punishment for questioning this imposition. He gradually adapted, developing swordsmanship and archery skills. His relationship with Iemitsu evolved from hostility to mutual affection after he gifted her a cat, which became a conduit for their conversations. He learned of her traumatic past, including her daughter's loss and her forced assumption of a male identity. Their bond deepened as he challenged her cruelty and acknowledged her suffering, eventually becoming romantic love. Arikoto's infertility prevented Iemitsu from conceiving an heir, prompting Lady Kasuga to replace him with a new consort, Sutezo, who resembled him physically. Though banned from Iemitsu's chambers, Arikoto concealed his anguish and treated Sutezo kindly. During this time, he gained influence among the Ōoku's men by offering philosophical lectures and organizing cultural activities like chrysanthemum viewings, elevating their morale while fostering extravagance. He risked his life caring for smallpox victims, including Lady Kasuga on her deathbed. She later entrusted him with overseeing the Ōoku and supporting Iemitsu. After Iemitsu formally released him from concubine duties, he became Senior Chamberlain—the highest administrative role in the Ōoku, previously held only by women. He restructured operations and assigned new responsibilities to the male residents. He remained Iemitsu's closest confidant until her death at 27, where she affirmed her exclusive love for him and tasked him with guiding her daughter and successor, Ietsuna, "like a father." Arikoto fulfilled this promise, serving as a stabilizing advisor during Ietsuna's reign. After the Great Fire of Meireki, Ietsuna confessed her love for him, prompting him to leave the Ōoku to become a monk again under the name Eikō-in. He later returned to support subsequent shoguns, including Tsunayoshi (Iemitsu's daughter with Gyokuei). He died at 90, his legacy absent from official records due to the Ōoku's practice of documenting concubines under female names.