Denshichiro Yoshioka (
Appearance[]
Denshichiro is large muscular man with a with a broad and sharp face. He, like many others, is bald at the top of his and the sides of his head are tied up. Denshichiro has an intimidating physique and Sekishusai Yagyu, head of the Yagyu school states that Denshichiro is built like a log. Along with an intimidating physique, Denshichiro also has a rather permanent frown on his face.
Personality[]
Denshichiro is a good swordsman who never abandons his samurai honour. Although his brother Seijuro is the head of the Yoshioka School, Denshichiro is the one who takes care, trains pupils and manages the school. He worked tirelessly to be seen as an equal to his brother. By many others, Denshichiro is seen as a kind man who has a lot of influence, power, respect and a level of nobility. He never abandons his honour nor goes down the same path that his brother is on.
He does find Otsu very beautiful but never acts on these feelings and attempts to repress them. Denshichiro is married and has a daughter whom he loves.
Biography[]
History[]
Denshichiro was born as the second son of Kenpo Yoshioka, the head of the Yoshioka School. Both him and his elder brother Seijuro were both trained at the Yoshioka School at a young age with Seijuro exhibiting high talents in swordsmanship. Their father was impressed with Seijuro's skill and swordsmanship but never Denshichiro which only made Denshichiro want to excel and impress his father twofold. Denshichiro was never able to impress his father with his swordsmanship but nevertheless, he was considered a good samurai but not nearly as good as his brother. Eventually, Seijuro's skill convinced their father that he should be the head of the Yoshioka School; although never wanting such a burdening title. Denshichiro tried to convince his father that he would be a better head but this never came to fruition.
Although he never became head of the school, Denshichiro was loyal and proud of his title and the school he helped train and manage. While his brother failed to ever take any responsibility for the school, Denshichiro did and he became quite respected for his kindness, nobility and honour.
First Yoshioka arc[]
Once Musashi came and visited the school, he attempted to duel Denshichiro but the duel was interrupted. During the duel, Matahachi burnt the school in an attempt to 'save' Musashi from possible death. Denshichiro tells Musashi to come back in a year after training and duel him once more.
Yagyu arc[]
Denshichiro Yoshioka attempts to visit the Yagyu school to meet Seikushusai Yagyu and train at the Yagyu dojo in attempt to grow and learn as a samurai and apply the teachings of the Yagyu school to his own school. However, his requests are repeatedly denied. Denshichiro is later given a letter by Otsu which states that Sekishusai would like to offer him some tea but there are many uncivilized people in the castle and it would be silly. In reality, Sekishusai didn't want to deal with any guests and just relax. Unsuccessful in entering the Yagyu school, Denshichiro leaves the Yagyu Estate.
Kojiro arc[]
Before the story of Musashi, Denshichiro attempts to find the legendary swordsman Ito Ittosai to fight and gain knowledge from him. Denshichiro and his group which includes Ryohei Ueda, find Ito Ittosai and follow him even when he continuously refuses to fight them. As Ito Ittosai goes to visit his master, Kanemaki Jisai's village, the group follow him there.
At the village, Ittosai meets Jisai's adopted deaf-mute son Kojiro once more whilst the two are fighting about allowing Kojiro to train with the sword. Contrary to Jisai, Ittosai affirms that Kojiro is a natural fighter stating that Kojiro is a tiger and attacks Kojiro for being disrespectful for not fighting Jisai with his full strength. That night Ittosai is at the beach, when he is challenged by Denshichiro's group. Ittosai sees Kojiro nearby and invites him to fight the men and numbers the men by points. Some men being worth 7 or 6 points while Ittosai is worth 10,000; making the fight into a game. Kojiro sticks his fingers into Denshichiro's nostrils which makes them bleed.
Ittosai attacks one man who was in his sword range. Then, Ittosai orders the men including Kojiro to fight each other for points until there is one left standing, who will fight him. In the fight, a Yoshioka student is killed, then Kojiro enters and defeats other two. Then, Kojiro fights Denshichiro but Kojiro is too calm which causes Ittosai to stop observing and attack Kojiro and make him wounded to remind him that those who die first are the ones that are numb to fear. Once Kojiro realizes what's at stake after being wounded, the fight resumes with Denshichiro. The two are novice and have numerous problems during the fight. After they have lost too much blood, they hurry to a final collision. Kojiro wins. In the fight's aftermath, Denshichiro is healing from his wounds and speaks fondly of his fight with Kojiro. Those who fight Kojiro are able to undestand what Kojiro wants to say and Denshichiro heard Kojiro telling him to get stronger so that they both can meet again. Ueda claims that Denshichiro spoke fondly of Kojiro as if the two were long time friends
Second Yoshioka arc[]
A year later, Musashi comes to Kyoto and places a letter on a post and formally challenges Denshichiro to a duel. However, before the day of the duel, Seijuro attempts to duel Musashi secretly in Rendaiji Field on New Year's Day. Seijuro believed the Denshichiro was not strong enough to defeat Musashi and wanted to defeat Musashi so that Denshichiro would not be humiliated by his defeat and the School would not lose it's high standing. As the two duel, Musashi literally cuts Seijuro in half. After finding Seijuro's cut body, Denshichiro became traumatized and fearful of Musashi. He began to lose his fighting skills and lost to even the weakest pupils. Although Denshichiro was too weak to fight, the duel between him and Musashi was still on. Ueda Ryohei plotted to have Sasaki Kojiro substitute for Denshichiro in the duel but this is quite dishonourable if the public found out. As a result, Ueda was expelled from the school until Denshichiro dies. Although Denshichiro became afraid and did not want to die and wanted to live and be there for his daughter, he was not going to abandon his honour. As a result of his beliefs, he went to the duel.
At the Rengeoin temple, Musashi duelled Denshichiro. During the duel, Musashi killed Denshichiro with relative ease. After Denshichiro's death, Ueda was allowed back into the school and was anointed as head by the other pupils. As revenge for killing Denshichiro and lowering the school's reputation, Ueda and 70 other pupils from the school attack Musashi.
Abilities[]
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