Tae Shimura, known as Otae, co-owns the family dojo Koudoukan, specializing in the Tendoumushin sword-fighting style, alongside her younger brother Shinpachi. Inheriting significant debt and the dojo after their father Ken Shimura's death during their childhood, they faced declining enrollment due to the Amanto-enforced sword ban. This drove Tae to seek employment, starting at a restaurant before becoming a cabaret hostess at Snack Smile in Kabuki District. Her formidable strength soon saw her acting as an unofficial bouncer, protecting fellow hostesses. She eventually rose to become one of the "4 Devas of Kabuki District" following the retirement or departure of figures like Otose, Jirochou, and Saigou Tokumori. Tae embodies a complex duality. Outwardly, she maintains a constant gentle smile, a promise to her father's former instructor Obi Hajime, masking her true emotions, particularly her struggles and sorrows. This "ethereal" smile makes her difficult to read. Beneath this facade lies a fiercely protective, quick-tempered, and violent nature, especially when provoked or defending loved ones. She possesses exceptional physical strength, capable of inflicting severe injuries like concussions with toy hammers or creating craters with drop kicks. Her speech is notably unlady-like, frequently laced with vulgar anatomical references, drawing Shinpachi's frequent reprimands. She is pragmatic and occasionally manipulative, using deception to achieve goals like improving her cabaret ranking or eliminating rivals. Paradoxically, she harbors a deep-seated fear of monsters, which triggers violent outbursts when frightened. Her core motivation is preserving her father's legacy. She believes a child needs no justification to protect what their parents loved, fueling her relentless efforts to revive Koudoukan. This resolve led her to initially agree to work for a brothel to settle debts, sacrificing her safety until Gintoki and Shinpachi intervened. Her earnings at Snack Smile remain dedicated to sustaining the dojo. She is deeply devoted to Shinpachi, having raised him after their mother's early death, and extends similar fierce protectiveness to close friends like Yagyuu Kyuubei, whom she defended from bullies in childhood and later promised to marry after Kyuubei lost an eye saving her from debt collectors, highlighting Tae's loyalty and sense of obligation. Conversely, she reacts with extreme violence toward persistent suitors like Shinsengumi commander Kondo Isao, repeatedly rebuffing his stalking through physical force. Tae is a skilled practitioner of the Tendoumushin style, proficient in naginata combat—capable of one-arm swings and devastating cuts—and hand-to-hand fighting. Her strength allows her to defeat multiple opponents effortlessly, including trained soldiers. Her combat involvement is often situational, manifesting as physical discipline toward acquaintances like Gintoki or Kondo rather than large-scale battles, with notable exceptions like confrontations with Hijikata Toushirou and Sarutobi Ayame. She is infamous for her disastrous cooking, especially her "aka fried egg" (tamagoyaki), dubbed "Dark Matter" for its severe effects: worsening Shinpachi's eyesight, inducing amnesia in Gintoki and Kondo, and causing diarrhea. Nearly everything she cooks burns, including sushi, though one non-canon instance showed successful konjac jelly preparation. She is a die-hard fan of the band B'z and enjoys the ice cream brand Bargain Dash. Her development saw her evolve from a debt-ridden dojo caretaker to a respected Kabuki District figure. She co-founded the idol group Diamond Perfume and assumed leadership among the 4 Devas, signifying her growing influence. While her core traits—protectiveness, financial struggles, and violent reactions—remain consistent, her relationships deepen, particularly her mentorship of Kyuubei and reluctant tolerance of Kondo's devotion. Her role expands in later arcs, such as the Love Potion OVA, where she assists Yorozuya in Yoshiwara.