Kiryu Kazumanosuke (桐生 一馬之介, Kiryū Kazumanosuke), born Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, Miyamoto Musashi), is the protagonist of Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!. He is an infamous swordfighter who works as a debt collector for Tsuruya.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
Kiryu looks identical to his modern counterpart Kazuma Kiryu, except that his hair is styled similarly to depictions of the real-life Miyamoto Musashi.
Attire[]
Before 1605, he wore a blue kimono and dark blue hakama (pants). In Gion, he dons a white kimono with gray borders and a print of a dragon on the back. Whenever he travels to Rakugai, he dons his swordsman gear, consisting of a stuffed blue shirt, large brown hakama, black tabi (socks) and sandals.
Personality[]
Kiryu's personality is similar to modern-day Kiryu, being idealistic, protective of his loved ones, and resolute. He also differs in certain ways; he lazes about regularly in Gion, and since his first kill in battle (where he was initially devastated by his own actions), he has had no qualms with taking lives. During fights, Kiryu's grunts and taunts are notably more aggressive compared to his modern counterpart.
Involvement[]
Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!: 1600-1605[]
In 1600, Kiryu, at the time still going by Miyamoto Musashi, is first seen training in his dojo that he had set up in the Mimasaka Province. He demonstrates to his students his famous dual-wielding style, before debunking that no swordsman has ever used it as a fighting style. However, Marume Nagayoshi of the Tokugawa clan interrupts the lesson and says otherwise. After Miyamoto trains his students some more, he and Marume talk in private. Marume is looking for Miyamoto in order to find a good instructor for his swordsman camp. After a duel between the two, Miyamoto is defeated, but is accepted into Marume's forces.
During this time, he met Majima Gorohachi. During his first days at the camp, Nankobo Tenkai arrives to talk to Marume. During Tenkai's visit, Tenkai inspect the newly recruited Miyamoto and predicts that he can be of good use due to his swordsmanship. He and Majima are then sent out on a mission to execute Yuki Hideyasu, under the impression he was an anonymous traitor of the camp.
Realizing this had been a set-up and they had just killed the eldest son of the Tokugawa family, Miyamoto and Majima run away, hiding in a temple. Marume catches them, however, and fights them. After the fight, Sasaki Kojiro arrives to finish the job. However, Sasaki only manages to slice Majima's eye. Miyamoto takes the wounded Majima into the dark forests nearby as Sasaki looks on.
During his and Majima's escape from the Tokugawa troops, Majima sacrifices himself so that Miyamoto can run away. After his sacrifice, Miyamoto hands Majima's sword to his adoptive sister, Ukiyo. She refuses to take the sword as she storms back into her house, only to apologize and explain that Majima wasn't her real brother. After this, he would stay with her for a time. During a bandit raid, Ukiyo is killed with Miyamoto's own sword, as she tried to defend herself. Miyamoto holds the dying Ukiyo as she gives him a new purpose for his swordsman skills.
After travelling around Japan, he meets a mysterious monk, who is revealed to be Yagyu Sekishusai. Sekishusai shows Miyamoto to the city of Gion, and gives him the new name of Kiryu Kazumanosuke.
In 1605, five years later. Kiryu is living comfortably in Gion, working as a debt collector for Tsuruya. Kiryu and Ageha seem to be on familiar terms. After Ageha's visit, Ito Ittosai sees him as Kiryu is given a new job to collect some debts around Gion.
After the job is done, he is visited by a small girl, known as Haruka, who asks Kiryu if she can hire him as a mercenary to kill "Miyamoto Musashi" and avenge her family. Kiryu is initially stunned to hear that someone is using his old name, and then declines, since she has no money to hire him with. Haruka then decides to work for the Landlady of Tsuruya as a kamuro, and Kiryu is shocked when he later finds out she signed a contract for only 1 Ryo. Haruka arrives at Kiryu's home to talk about her request, and Kiryu advises her that killing won't bring her family back. After they come to an agreement, she gives him 1 Ryo.
As he explores the Koetsu Estate in Rakugai, Kiryu meets Hon'ami Koetsu, a famous painter who is soon revealed to be an information broker. Kiryu asks him where the "Miyamoto" he is looking for is, but Koetsu explains he wants something before he can give Kiryu the news. Apparently one of his art pieces was stolen by a man named Shishido Baiken, and wants it back before he can give his info to Kiryu.
Kiryu travels to a rocky cave near the Forest Road, and starts looking for Baiken. However, he comes face to face with the thought to be dead Majima, who was now under the name Shishido Baiken. After a duel, they start talking about what had been going on for the past four years. Majima had been found by an old man who had the name Shishido Baiken. He taught Majima how to use his new sickle-and-chain style, and told Majima to take his name once he dies. After he dies, Majima then starts to lead a pack of gold thieves, who Majima himself is disinterested in.
After Kiryu gives Koetsu back his gold statue, Koetsu reveals he knew Kiryu was Miyamoto all along. Despite this, Koetsu gives Kiryu the location of the other Miyamoto; the Yoshioka dojo. Kiryu goes to visit Ageha, but is instead a witness to Haruka being abused by two other workers at the brothel. After they leave, a young man appears and tries to charm Haruka into being his woman. However, Kiryu confronts him and the man reveals his name; Gion Toji. He also reveals his connection to the Yoshioka dojo. Kiryu hands him 2 Ryo in order to gain entry, but Gion warns he'll still have to perform a duel test against one of the students.
After Kiryu gets done with some training around town, he visits the dojo with Gion, witnessing the brutal Ueda Ryohei. After he is introduced to the dojo, he and Ryohei duel. In the end, Kiryu wins but not before both of the Yoshioka brothers arive. Yoshioka Denshichiro arrives and humbly welcomes the new student, then Yoshioka Seijuro arrives and decides to give Kiryu a second test. This time, Kiryu wins and snaps Seijuro's sword. After he leaves, Gion reveals to Kiryu that Seijuro's sword was just a wooden sword.
Gion and Kiryu leave the dojo, and Gion reveals he knew he had been talking to the real Miyamoto Musashi ever since his visit with Haruka. Gion also reveals that he was in the battle of Sekigahara alongside Marume Nagayoshi, but deserted after failing to fight. He retreated into the Yoshioka dojo and conducted a plan; to take out Seijuro and install Denshichiro as the head of the dojo. He tells Kiryu that the fake Miyamoto is also in on the plan.
Seven weeks later, Kiryu continues training and investigating the dojo, but is interrupted by Ittosai's sudden arival. He takes Kiryu to a faraway river, and duels him, finding out that Kiryu was really Miyamoto Musashi. Before and after the fight, Ittosai reveals that their duel will decide who will get to face against Sasaki. Once Ittosai is beaten several times, he gives up. He tells Kiryu about his past, revealing that he was a famous swordsman. He was even known to rival Yagyu Sekishusai himself. But it all changed when Sasaki was hired to kill Ittosai's family and destroy his dojo. Ten years later, he would hide out in Gion the same way as Kiryu. According to Ittosai, the Tokugawa clan targeted him because they thought he would become a solder for the Toyotomi, the Tokugawa's rivals.
Kiryu goes to visit Koetsu together with Ittosai in order to find out about Sasaki's whereabouts, pointing him directly to that night's banquet for Itakura Katsuhige. At night, Kiryu and Ittosai sneak in and watch what happens, only for Sasaki to invade the banquet and kill several people. As Kiryu and Ittosai confront him, a fire breaks out, burning the entire place. Soon, he finds assassins sent by Sasaki to take Kiryu out, but he quickly disposes of them before finding Marume. They start to duel, only to be interrupted by the fire. Marume kills Katsushige in front of Haruka, and runs away. Kiryu arrives to rescue Haruka, but she confuses the bell ringing from Kiryu to that of Marume, and screams.
After the incident at Tsuruya, Kiryu tries to speak with Haruka, but she is unavailable. He visits Koetsu on some new info on the other Miyamoto, and states that he is at the Hozoin temple, in Nara province. He visits the temple and finds Hozoin In'ei, who challenges him to fight in order to gain entry. In'ei is beaten, and reveals to Kiryu about the tournament, which his pupil Hozoin Inshun is a part of. Kiryu signs into the tournament and faces off against two opponents before facing Inshun. He beats Inshun, and Inshun is shocked at his loss. After the fight, In'ei takes Kiryu to a room, where he and Marume see each other once again. Kiryu is clearly frustrated, but Marume reassures him and tells him the true purpose of Katsushige and his banquet. Katsushige was looking for Haruka, so that he could take her away and kidnap her. According to Marume, Haruka herself is important to the shogunate in some way.
Kiryu visits the Yoshioka dojo after some time, and is seen witnessing an arguement over the Yoshioka brothers, where Seijuro refuses to duel against Kiryu. Gion informs Kiryu that the Kiryu he has been looking for will appear at the Rendai fields, at sunset. Once there, Kiryu sees Seijuro arriving. As Kiryu questions Seijuro's being there, Seijuro quickly strikes at Kiryu, leaving a wound above his eye. Seijuro knows who Kiryu really is, and wants to stop at nothing to kill him. They duel, and Seijuro is mortally wounded. In his dying words, Seijuro asks Kiryu to rescue his brother. As Seijuro lays dying, Ueda Ryohei and some students appear from the fields, telling Kiryu about what was really going on; Gion and Ryohei wanted to take the dojo themselves, and wanted the Yoshioka brothers disposed of by using Kiryu to their ends. Ittosai arrives to help, and Kiryu is able to escape the fields into town. Once there, he arrives at the Sanjusangendo, where Gion is about to kill Denshichiro. Kiryu and Gion fight, only for Kiryu to kill Gion. Denshichiro watches in silence, and is in disbelief of what is going on. Kiryu tries to run away, but his injuries catch up with him.
As he rests, Ittosai reveals to Ageha that he and Kiryu were famous swordsmen, leading to the revelation of who Kiryu really is. After resting, Kiryu goes to see Koetsu about their next course of action. They are interrupted, however, by a strange old man who requests for Kiryu to lead him around Tsuruya. Kiryu instead decided to give the old man a tour around Gion, since he claimed he was new to the area. At night, the old man comes across Majima, who has finally found where Kiryu was now. After some talking, the old man reveals the relative he came to visit was Haruka, leading Kiryu to suspect he is someone familiar. During Ageha's performance, she notices Majima, and becomes upset, leaving the room. Majima soon leaves after her, resting on top of the roof. As Kiryu is about to know who the old man is, one of the clerks tells Kiryu that Majima has just took Haruka hostage at Kiyomizudera temple. Kiryu arrives and Majima accuses him of selling Ukiyo into the Tsuruya. He duels Majima one last time, and beats the madman, bringing him to his senses. Ageha arrives despite Kiryu's argument and tends to Majima, telling him she isn't who he thinks she is. Soon after, Kiryu reveals to Ageha that he was the one who killed her sister Ukiyo. But Majima comes to the conclusion of the Tokugawa were the ones that killed her. Soon, Sasaki arrives and reveals what happened in the fire; Ageha started the fire in order for Sasaki to buy her contract, making her a free woman. But she stayed in order to find out whether or not it was Kiryu who killed her sister. The old man appears, and forces Sasaki to leave. He gives Haruka back to Sasaki and promises to give him the answers he is looking for.
The next day, an escort arrives for Kiryu and Haruka on behalf of Tokugawa Ieyasu, much to Kiryu and Haruka's surprise. They arrive at Ieyasu's place as they start to talk. Ieyasu revealed to Kiryu her parents weren't her real parents, and that Yuki Hideyasu is her real father. He also revealed that Sasaki sent an assassin to kill Haruka's family, the assassin being Marume. He revealed that Marume might have killed Haruka's family in order to control the shogunate. By killing any trace of Hideyasu, his brother Tokugawa Hidetada would become shogun, as he was easy to manipulate. Ieyasu gives the revelation that Nankobo Tenkai is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.
After the meeting with Ieyasu, Kiryu sets off to the Yagyu domain. There, he finds the grandson of Yagyu Sekishugai, Yagyu Hyogonosuke. He and Hyogonosuke talk inside the domain's house, and reveal that Sekishusai is there to see Kiryu. He arrives and they talk about what happened in a past few years. Sekishugai reveals that his son, Munenori, is also known by the name Sasaki Kojiro. He also revealed that Sasaki was just another one of Tenkai's puppets, and that it was all a plot to make Hidetada the new shogun. Sekishugai had been trying to make sure Hideyasu's children were safe from Tenkai's plot, and to try and stop Sasaki's schemes. According to Sekishugai, Sasaki only allied with Tenkai in order to boost the power of the Yagyu domain, and make his prowess as a swordsman known. He also reveals that Marume was working with Sekishugai all along, but was forced to do Sasaki's, and in turn Tenkai's, plots. Soon, Kiryu finds Marume sitting nearby, and Marume decides to test Kiryu one last time, in order to give an advantage against Sasaki. They fight, and Kiryu is able to overcome the mysterious style. Marume wishes Kiryu farewell, as Kiryu leaves to face against Kojiro.
A week later, Ittosai finds Kiryu relaxing in his home, informing him about Ageha's retirement party. Kiryu reveals he's been looking for Haruka since he came back from the Yagyu domain. Once he arrives in the Tsuruya, he becomes frustrated at the fact Haruka has disappeared. Soon after storming out, he comes fact to face with Sasaki once again. Sasaki tells Musashi of his and Tenkai's plans, and reveals that Tenkai had kidnapped Haruka in order to take control of the shogunate. Since Hidetada was starting to get suspicious of his brother's death's circumstances, Tenkai started to make new plans in order to use a new shogun at his will as an advisor. Sasaki tells Kiryu that Haruka is being held at Ganryu island, before telling Kiryu why he warned him beforehand; he wants to duel him as Yagyu Munenori. The reason Sasaki joined with Tenkai was so that he could become nothing more than Sasaki Kojiro. He wanted to be more ruthless than even Tenkai, so that once he duels Kiryu, the Yagyu family name would gain more respect. If Sasaki defeats Kiryu, he'll drop his philosophy of the sword, claiming he can be at peace if that happens.
Once Kiryu arrives at Ganryu Island, he meets Sasaki. They face off against each other in a heated duel, but Kiryu manages to stay on top, throwing Sasaki's long sword right out of his hand. As Kiryu and Sasaki lay on the sand next to the waters, Sasaki begins to accept his life as Munenori. But suddenly, he is shot by an officer led by Tenkai, who is holding Haruka hostage. After dealing with Tenkai's officers, he is faced by a group known as the Five Demons. Kiryu moves through the rocky caves, dealing with each demon. Once he defeats the final demon, he moves along to the nearby cliff, where Tenkai has stopped in his tracks. Haruka manages to flee, as Kiryu draws his swords upon Tenkai. Tenkai, in a sadistic manner, pulls out a pistol, ready to battle the swordsman. He is defeated, and thrown off the cliff. Kiryu comes over to Tenkai, and is ready to execute him. However, Hidetada appears and confronts Tenkai on his corruption. Despite their mutual feelings towards Tenkai, Kiryu tells Hidetada revenge is not the right way to fix what Tenkai has done. Tenkai proceeds to taunt the swordsmen as ships from the coast arrive. However, Sasaki proceeds to strike at the monk, ending his life. Kiryu hands Haruka over to Sasaki and Hidetada, as Kiryu proceeds to sacrifice himself in order to give them time to escape the island.
In the epilogue, Majima, who survived falling, wonders whether Kiryu was killed by Tenkai's allies, or is alive, living with Ageha.
Fighting Style[]
True to the real-life Miyamoto Musashi, Kiryu Kazumanosuke is an extremely skilled swordsman.
Single-sword[]
This is a style that is quite good at dealing with crowds of enemies, though it is best suited to one-on-one duels.
Combos[]
Kiryu has 2 main combos in this style.
- Combo 1: a left outward slash, an overhead slash, a right outward slash and a right upward slash.
- Combo 2: a left overhead slash, a right overhead slash, a right outward slash and a right upward slash.
All finishers are the same zooming slash, which is a useful tool with which to get behind enemies. Long combos can be created with this style.
Basic attacks[]
The heavy attack is a stab, the running attack is a left side kick and the downed attack is a stomp. Holding the heavy attack button makes Kiryu do a charging stab, which can be followed up with an overhead slash and a jumping overhead slash.
Grab attacks[]
Kiryu cannot grab in this style. Pressing the grab button instead has him perform the same left side kick, which breaks enemies' guard.
Blocking, dodging and reversals[]
Kiryu has various quickstep slashes. His dodge animations are a forward quickstep, left and right rolls, and a back handspring.
Counterattacks[]
This style has two counterattacks: one where Kiryu longitudinally stabs an approaching opponent's gut, and the other where he does a horizontal slash in retaliation from a block.
Heat Actions[]
This style's Heat Actions are mostly focused on reacting to singular opponents' attacks.
Dagger[]
This style is a basic style with great speed that focuses on Heat Actions. It is used as a default dagger moveset throughout the Yakuza series.
Combos[]
The Rush Combo is a right inward slash, a left outward slash and an overhead slash, and has no finishers. Despite being short, if you force an enemy into a corner, the combo can be spammed to keep them trapped over there.
Basic attacks[]
The heavy attack and running attack are both a stab.
Grab attacks[]
Kiryu cannot grab in this style.
Blocking, dodging and reversals[]
This style's dodging animation is the same as the Single-sword style dodging animation. It is also the only style where Kiryu does not have Quickstep Cancel.
Counterattacks[]
This style has no counterattacks.
Heat Actions[]
This style's Heat Actions are majorly focused on counterattacking with the dagger.
Greatsword[]
This style is unique in that it is slow and does not have many attacks but is extremely high in power. It has the highest damage output of all of Kiryu's styles and is an excellent style for dealing with crowds of enemies.
Combos[]
The Rush Combo is a right inward slash, a left outward slash and a right reverse slash. Each hit can be charged.
Basic attacks[]
The heavy attack is a massive overhead slash, and holding the heavy attack button has Kiryu do a double spinning slash. There is no running attack due to Kiryu's inability to run in this style.
Grab attacks[]
Kiryu cannot grab in this style.
Blocking, dodging and reversals[]
Kiryu can block all attacks in this style. He has no reversals but can do a rudimentary, on-spot quickstep.
Counterattacks[]
This style has no counterattacks.
Heat Actions[]
This style's Heat Actions are mostly focused on dealing massive damage to single opponents.
Dual-sword[]
Kiryu's signature style is also available, and is the most expanded-upon moveset in Kenzan!. It is a versatile style, useful for everything from singular bosses to large crowds.
Combos[]
Kiryu has 2 main combos in this style.
- Combo 1: an outward wakizashi slash, a left upward wakizashi slash, an overhead sword slash, a right outward sword slash and a double stab.
- Combo 2: an overhead sword slash, a left upward wakizashi slash, an overhead sword slash, a right outward sword slash and a double reverse slash.
Finishers include an upward right slash, a reverse right slash and a diagonal overhead right slash. There is also a finishing grab wherein Kiryu stabs the enemy and throws them over himself, which can be done after the 1st finisher following the 4th combo hit.
Basic attacks[]
The basic attack and running attack are both the same: an overhead double cross slash. The downed attack is a stomp.
Grab attacks[]
Kiryu cannot grab in this style. He will instead do the same guard-breaking kick.
Blocking, dodging and reversals[]
Kiryu can block from all sides in this style. His dodging animation is the same as his Single-sword style dodging animation.
Counterattacks[]
This style has 2 counterattacks: one similar to Single-sword style's counterattack but with both swords, and the other, a retaliatory horizontal slash similar to Single-sword style's block counterattack. However, unlike Single-sword style's block counter, it works in all directions.
Heat Actions[]
This style's Heat Actions are mostly crowd-focused or emphasize on Kiryu pragmatically using both his blades, such as the Heat Action where he throws his wakizashi into the opponent's stomach and jumps off it to slash them with his katana, the Heat Action where he somehow lifts his opponent into the air upside-down and repeatedly slashes them, or the Heat Action where he deflects two opponents and then stabs their stomachs.
Unarmed[]
Kiryu can also fight barehanded, albeit without much skill. Exclusive to this style is the R2 Heat charge.
Combos[]
The Rush Combo is a right palm thrust, a left palm hook and a right upwards palm thrust. This style has no finishers.
Basic attacks[]
The heavy attack is modern Kiryu's right front push kick. The running attack is a left side kick, and the downed attack is modern Kiryu's stomp. He also has Lotus Flare Fist as a charge attack.
Grab attacks[]
From a grab, Kiryu has 3 follow-ups: light attack has him palm-punch the opponent thrice, heavy attack has him left side-kick them away and grab has him use an Ippon seoi nage. Like in mainline games, the grabs can be upgraded to require less button-spamming and do more damage.
Blocking, dodging and reversals[]
Kiryu has the Yakuza and Yakuza 2 knockdown reversal. He also has Dharma Tumbler, though the back quickstep is still his Single-sword style back handspring.
Counterattacks[]
This style has no counterattacks.
Heat Actions[]
This style's Heat Actions are mostly utilitarian, single-opponent Heat Actions from Yakuza and Yakuza 2. It also has Kenzan!'s most powerful Heat Action, Yakuza 2's Ultimate Essence, which unlike in Yakuza 2 is not an instant kill.
Trivia[]
- Kiryu appears as a test card for character renderings in Yakuza 3's internal data.
- An oar can be found and picked up during Sasaki Kojiro's boss fight, and when picked up it fills your heat gauge to max. This is in reference to the famous real-life duel between the two where Miyamoto defeated Sasaki using only a shaved oar.
- Kiryu is the final boss in Kenzan!'s Climax Battles, appearing as Sasaki's opponent in Challenge 4-4. In this fight, he only uses his dual-sword style.
- Various references to Kiryu and Kenzan! itself can be found in later Yakuza games.
- Four journals of Kiryu's can be found in Yakuza 3 & 4. Obtaining them unlocks six of Kiryu's Heat Actions for modern Kiryu.
- A wooden statue of Kiryu doing his dual-sword pose can be bought from the pawn shop in Yakuza 4 by Saejima to give him access to three of the six Kenzan! Heat Actions Kiryu can use.
- Both the modern Kiryu and Saejima gain "Heavy Maul: Fly Swatter", "Hidden Blade: Hook", and "Hidden Blade: Raging Bull", whereas the modern Kiryu exclusively gains "Finish Blade: Dancing Cat", "Finish Blade: Musashi", and "Dual Short Sword: Sly Wolf".
- Multiple swords from Kenzan! make their way into Yakuza 3, including dual-swords being moddable over Kali Sticks.
- Kiryu's wooden swords and Baiken's sickle are both craftable weapons in Yakuza 0, and purchasable weapons in Kiwami.
Gallery[]
Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan![]
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Yakuza 3[]
