Ichiro, a sixth-grade student at a small rural school beside a mountain stream where all grades share one classroom, is the oldest child and naturally assumes leadership among the village children. His demeanor features measured movements; he waltzes into the schoolyard with "slow, large steps like those of an adult." When the mysterious red-haired transfer student Saburou Takada unsettles the children, Ichiro takes initiative to investigate, approaching the classroom to question the unfamiliar boy. He demonstrates responsibility by intervening to stop fights among younger children, such as separating Goro and Kousuke during a physical altercation.

His protective instincts emerge when Saburou, nicknamed "Matasaburou of the Wind," accidentally picks a tobacco leaf from a field supervised by the strict Monopoly Bureau. Ichiro recognizes the danger and warns Saburou. Days later, when an official from the Bureau appears near the river where the children play and collect fish, Ichiro takes charge. He instructs the others, "All of you, encircle Matasaburou," directing them to physically shield Saburou. He further distracts the official by leading the children in shouting complaints about the man muddying the river water, deflecting attention from Saburou's transgression.

Ichiro's grandfather is mentioned as part of the cast in the story's adaptations. Ichiro awakens from a dream featuring the wind spirit’s song—"Doddo-do, dodoudo, dodoudo, dodou; Blow away the green chestnuts too; Blow away the sour quince too." Across depictions, Ichiro consistently functions as a stabilizing and protective figure within the village children's dynamic, mediating conflicts and safeguarding others, particularly the outsider Saburou.