TV-Series
Description
Takechiyo, originally named Takechiyo meaning "Bamboo Knowledge", is a tanuki yōkai and young heir of the high tanuki clan Mamidaira, where Hachiemon serves as a loyal servant. A curse placed by the rogue tanuki Shōgen Mamiana afflicted him after Shōgen seized control of the clan during a storm that broke the seal on the Full Moon Raccoon Dog. This coup resulted in Shōgen taking Kikunosuke, Takechiyo's younger brother, hostage. During the attack on Mamidaira castle, Miroku intervened and saved Takechiyo. Recognizing no one remained to protect the heir, Hachiemon arranged for Miroku to take Takechiyo to live and work with Jyūbei, a decision that caused Takechiyo distress despite its unclear rationale.
Presently, Takechiyo works at Jyūbei's Shikabaneya, an establishment trading demon corpses and securing bounty hunting contracts. Jyūbei frequently assigns him tasks, such as ensuring Moroha reached Jakotsumaru's hideout to eliminate Jakotsumaru and his father Tōkotsu. He later transported Moroha and Setsuna to confront Kyūki, one of the Four Perils. His duties often involve acting as a handler and transportation provider for Moroha, utilizing his transformation abilities.
Physically, Takechiyo appears as a small tanuki child with fair skin, blue eyes, and short brown hair. He wears distinctive attire: a red and black ita-mono chestplate, kusazuri leg plates, fur trim epaulets and shorts, red wrist and ankle bands, and a signature tortoise shell hat.
Takechiyo demonstrates loyalty to Jyūbei, whom he respects highly, and to clients like Riku. He exhibits traits typical of a young yōkai cub, including being easily bribed with modern treats. However, he can also display a mean-spirited side, particularly towards Moroha, enjoying tormenting her about cleaning duties and withholding information to secure larger bounties for himself and Jyūbei. He is prone to fear during battles, often retreating to hide while attempting to maintain an authoritative posture. Despite initial friction, his relationship with Moroha evolves; they demonstrate care for each other in danger, such as when Moroha defended him from an out-of-control Setsuna and he tended to her wounds afterward. Their bond strengthens significantly after their joint mission to liberate the Mamidaira Clan from Shōgen, leading to a more positive dynamic. He interacts more neutrally with Towa, accepting candy bribes for transportation, and shows significant deference to Riku. He harbors a distinct fear of Kirinmaru, encountering him multiple times and reacting with terror.
His primary abilities center around transformation (Henge). He can assume the form of a giant flying tanuki, causing his tortoise shell hat to enlarge to carry passengers; in this form, he wears no visible clothing, and cheek markings suggest his normal hairstyle. He also transforms into objects like oil bombs or impersonates characters such as Moroha, Towa, Setsuna, Riku, Akuru, and Jaken. Additionally, he uses a conch shell as a communication device to relay information remotely to Jyūbei.
Trivia notes position him as Hanyō no Yashahime's counterpart to Shippō's role as the young, child-like yōkai companion. His tanuki species inverts Shippō's kitsune nature, reflecting their mythological rivalry. He is the second tanuki featured in the franchise after Hachiemon, though with a more humanoid appearance. His name potentially references Tokugawa Ieyasu, who bore the childhood name Takechiyo and was often likened to a tanuki.
Presently, Takechiyo works at Jyūbei's Shikabaneya, an establishment trading demon corpses and securing bounty hunting contracts. Jyūbei frequently assigns him tasks, such as ensuring Moroha reached Jakotsumaru's hideout to eliminate Jakotsumaru and his father Tōkotsu. He later transported Moroha and Setsuna to confront Kyūki, one of the Four Perils. His duties often involve acting as a handler and transportation provider for Moroha, utilizing his transformation abilities.
Physically, Takechiyo appears as a small tanuki child with fair skin, blue eyes, and short brown hair. He wears distinctive attire: a red and black ita-mono chestplate, kusazuri leg plates, fur trim epaulets and shorts, red wrist and ankle bands, and a signature tortoise shell hat.
Takechiyo demonstrates loyalty to Jyūbei, whom he respects highly, and to clients like Riku. He exhibits traits typical of a young yōkai cub, including being easily bribed with modern treats. However, he can also display a mean-spirited side, particularly towards Moroha, enjoying tormenting her about cleaning duties and withholding information to secure larger bounties for himself and Jyūbei. He is prone to fear during battles, often retreating to hide while attempting to maintain an authoritative posture. Despite initial friction, his relationship with Moroha evolves; they demonstrate care for each other in danger, such as when Moroha defended him from an out-of-control Setsuna and he tended to her wounds afterward. Their bond strengthens significantly after their joint mission to liberate the Mamidaira Clan from Shōgen, leading to a more positive dynamic. He interacts more neutrally with Towa, accepting candy bribes for transportation, and shows significant deference to Riku. He harbors a distinct fear of Kirinmaru, encountering him multiple times and reacting with terror.
His primary abilities center around transformation (Henge). He can assume the form of a giant flying tanuki, causing his tortoise shell hat to enlarge to carry passengers; in this form, he wears no visible clothing, and cheek markings suggest his normal hairstyle. He also transforms into objects like oil bombs or impersonates characters such as Moroha, Towa, Setsuna, Riku, Akuru, and Jaken. Additionally, he uses a conch shell as a communication device to relay information remotely to Jyūbei.
Trivia notes position him as Hanyō no Yashahime's counterpart to Shippō's role as the young, child-like yōkai companion. His tanuki species inverts Shippō's kitsune nature, reflecting their mythological rivalry. He is the second tanuki featured in the franchise after Hachiemon, though with a more humanoid appearance. His name potentially references Tokugawa Ieyasu, who bore the childhood name Takechiyo and was often likened to a tanuki.