TV-Series
Description
Oshtor is a character in the Utawarerumono story who serves as the Imperial General of the Right of the nation of Yamato. Alongside the Left Imperial Guard Mikazuchi, he is counted as one of the Twin Shields of Yamato, the two foremost military officers of the imperial capital. He is also one of the Masked Ones, warriors granted a supernatural mask called an Akuruka by the Emperor, which grants him power far beyond that of an ordinary human.
Oshtor was born in the northern region of Ennakamui. His father died when he was young, and he and his younger sister Nekone were raised by their mother on the outskirts of their hometown. She raised the two children alone, and in later years she suffered from poor health and failing eyesight. Through his own merit, Oshtor rose to the rank of Imperial General of the Right, and his reputation spread far beyond Yamato, reaching even countries across the sea. In the imperial capital he also maintained a second identity as a wandering chivalrous man named Ukon. He used this alias to move freely among the common people and to carry out work that his official position made difficult. It was under this alias that he first befriended the amnesiac protagonist Haku, and he later revealed his true identity and asked Haku to assist him with covert tasks in the capital.
Oshtor is described as upright, incorruptible, and accomplished in both the arts of war and the arts of peace. He enjoys the deep trust of the common people, the respect of his peers, and the confidence of the Emperor, who relies on him heavily. He treats his duty with great seriousness, regularly patrolling the capital and regarding the protection of the Emperor and the people of Yamato as his personal charge. He carries himself with calm dignity, is considerate toward those around him, and shows particular care for his sister and for Princess Anju. His sense of responsibility is strong enough that he is willing to give up his own life rather than allow harm to come to those he is sworn to protect.
Oshtor is motivated primarily by loyalty to the Emperor, concern for the safety of the people of Yamato, and a desire to protect Princess Anju, who was designated to succeed the Emperor. He also works to shield his friends and family from the political turmoil surrounding the imperial court. When he is falsely accused of poisoning the Emperor and the princess, his central goal becomes ensuring Anju's survival and keeping her beyond the reach of those plotting against her.
In the events leading into Mask of Truth, Oshtor becomes the target of a political conspiracy. After the Emperor's death throws the capital into disorder, Oshtor is suspected of poisoning the Emperor and Princess Anju and is subjected to harsh interrogation. He escapes with the help of Haku and their allies and flees toward Ennakamui, but Vurai, one of the Eight Pillar Generals, pursues him and demands a decisive duel. Realizing that only a fellow Masked One can hope to match Vurai, Oshtor sends the others ahead and remains behind to face him alone. During the duel, he fully unleashes the power of his mask and takes on a giant-like form in a battle that exceeds ordinary human limits. He defeats Vurai, but the strain of using the mask's power causes his body to gradually dissolve and vanish. In his final moments he hands his mask to Haku and asks him to take care of the princess, and he urges Nekone to support Haku. Haku then takes up Oshtor's name, wearing his mask and clothing and carrying on his duties and his struggle. Oshtor therefore remains a central presence throughout Mask of Truth through the weight of his memory and wishes, and he makes one last appearance near the end of the story, when he and another fallen figure encourage Haku to return to the land of the living and grant him the mask of Hakuowlo.
Oshtor's closest personal bonds are with his sister Nekone, who is devastated by his death and later dedicates herself to supporting the person who carries on his name; with Haku, who becomes his trusted friend and ultimately his successor; and with Princess Anju, whom he serves faithfully and who holds deep feelings for him. He shares a bond of sworn brotherhood with Kiuru, the prince of Ennakamui. He is close to Mikazuchi, his counterpart among the Twin Shields, and to the imperial scholar Maroro. His mother remains an important figure from his homeland. His chief adversary is Vurai, whose obsessive desire to settle their rivalry leads directly to Oshtor's death.
Oshtor's development moves from enigmatic and unapproachable masked general, to the familiar and approachable figure of Ukon, to a man carrying heavy burdens beneath a calm exterior. His choice to face Vurai alone and accept his own end defines his character: a willingness to sacrifice everything for the people he protects. His death transforms him from a living figure into the moral foundation of the story that follows, since the identity Haku adopts is shaped by the reputation, kindness, and sense of duty that Oshtor left behind.
As a warrior, Oshtor is highly skilled in both combat and military command, and his abilities in governance are equally celebrated. As a Masked One, he can unlock the power of his mask to gain superhuman strength and a colossal form, but the cost is severe, and prolonged or full use of that power consumes his body. It is this very power, pushed to its limit, that ultimately destroys him.
Oshtor was born in the northern region of Ennakamui. His father died when he was young, and he and his younger sister Nekone were raised by their mother on the outskirts of their hometown. She raised the two children alone, and in later years she suffered from poor health and failing eyesight. Through his own merit, Oshtor rose to the rank of Imperial General of the Right, and his reputation spread far beyond Yamato, reaching even countries across the sea. In the imperial capital he also maintained a second identity as a wandering chivalrous man named Ukon. He used this alias to move freely among the common people and to carry out work that his official position made difficult. It was under this alias that he first befriended the amnesiac protagonist Haku, and he later revealed his true identity and asked Haku to assist him with covert tasks in the capital.
Oshtor is described as upright, incorruptible, and accomplished in both the arts of war and the arts of peace. He enjoys the deep trust of the common people, the respect of his peers, and the confidence of the Emperor, who relies on him heavily. He treats his duty with great seriousness, regularly patrolling the capital and regarding the protection of the Emperor and the people of Yamato as his personal charge. He carries himself with calm dignity, is considerate toward those around him, and shows particular care for his sister and for Princess Anju. His sense of responsibility is strong enough that he is willing to give up his own life rather than allow harm to come to those he is sworn to protect.
Oshtor is motivated primarily by loyalty to the Emperor, concern for the safety of the people of Yamato, and a desire to protect Princess Anju, who was designated to succeed the Emperor. He also works to shield his friends and family from the political turmoil surrounding the imperial court. When he is falsely accused of poisoning the Emperor and the princess, his central goal becomes ensuring Anju's survival and keeping her beyond the reach of those plotting against her.
In the events leading into Mask of Truth, Oshtor becomes the target of a political conspiracy. After the Emperor's death throws the capital into disorder, Oshtor is suspected of poisoning the Emperor and Princess Anju and is subjected to harsh interrogation. He escapes with the help of Haku and their allies and flees toward Ennakamui, but Vurai, one of the Eight Pillar Generals, pursues him and demands a decisive duel. Realizing that only a fellow Masked One can hope to match Vurai, Oshtor sends the others ahead and remains behind to face him alone. During the duel, he fully unleashes the power of his mask and takes on a giant-like form in a battle that exceeds ordinary human limits. He defeats Vurai, but the strain of using the mask's power causes his body to gradually dissolve and vanish. In his final moments he hands his mask to Haku and asks him to take care of the princess, and he urges Nekone to support Haku. Haku then takes up Oshtor's name, wearing his mask and clothing and carrying on his duties and his struggle. Oshtor therefore remains a central presence throughout Mask of Truth through the weight of his memory and wishes, and he makes one last appearance near the end of the story, when he and another fallen figure encourage Haku to return to the land of the living and grant him the mask of Hakuowlo.
Oshtor's closest personal bonds are with his sister Nekone, who is devastated by his death and later dedicates herself to supporting the person who carries on his name; with Haku, who becomes his trusted friend and ultimately his successor; and with Princess Anju, whom he serves faithfully and who holds deep feelings for him. He shares a bond of sworn brotherhood with Kiuru, the prince of Ennakamui. He is close to Mikazuchi, his counterpart among the Twin Shields, and to the imperial scholar Maroro. His mother remains an important figure from his homeland. His chief adversary is Vurai, whose obsessive desire to settle their rivalry leads directly to Oshtor's death.
Oshtor's development moves from enigmatic and unapproachable masked general, to the familiar and approachable figure of Ukon, to a man carrying heavy burdens beneath a calm exterior. His choice to face Vurai alone and accept his own end defines his character: a willingness to sacrifice everything for the people he protects. His death transforms him from a living figure into the moral foundation of the story that follows, since the identity Haku adopts is shaped by the reputation, kindness, and sense of duty that Oshtor left behind.
As a warrior, Oshtor is highly skilled in both combat and military command, and his abilities in governance are equally celebrated. As a Masked One, he can unlock the power of his mask to gain superhuman strength and a colossal form, but the cost is severe, and prolonged or full use of that power consumes his body. It is this very power, pushed to its limit, that ultimately destroys him.