Itsuko Katsu

Itsuko is serious, honest and strong-willed. She openly challenges her father when she believes he has treated Daigorou unfairly, demonstrating that family obedience does not prevent her from acting according to her own judgment.

She is considerably more emotionally reserved around Daigorou. Her actions make her concern clear—she follows him to the Kamiya Dojo, cares for him when he is hurt and remains attentive to his welfare—but she does not readily verbalize the deeper feelings implied by their relationship.

Itsuko is also practical and domestically capable. Her cooking quickly earns praise at the Kamiya Dojo, where she assists Kaoru Kamiya with everyday work.

Itsuko is not a martial artist. Her established abilities are primarily practical, particularly cooking and household management.

She nevertheless possesses courage under pressure. When violence surrounding her father's past reaches the family directly, she remains composed enough to understand the danger and the motives of the people targeting Kaishu.

Itsuko enters the Katsu Kaishu Arc after Daigorou is expelled from her father's household. Believing the treatment unfair, she visits the Kamiya Dojo and ultimately stays there as well, helping around the house while keeping an eye on Daigorou.

The larger conflict concerns former Tokugawa retainers known as the Beni-aoi and money supposedly entrusted to Kaishu by the last shogun. Itsuko's connection to Kaishu makes her vulnerable once the conspirators decide they need leverage against him.

[The Beni-aoi kidnap Itsuko and use her as a hostage to force Kaishu into revealing information about the Tokugawa funds. Daigorou attempts to rescue her and appears to be seriously wounded by Shibata, although a book hidden beneath his clothing protects him from the worst of the thrust. After the conspiracy is resolved, Itsuko returns to the Katsu household with Daigorou.](#spoiler)

Kaishu Katsu is Itsuko's father. She loves him but is willing to argue with him when she believes his decisions are unfair.

Daigorou Ookuma is Kaishu's student and one of Itsuko's closest companions. Her actions strongly suggest affection for him, although she does not openly declare romantic feelings.

Tetsuma Okubo is another of Kaishu's students. Itsuko recognizes his ability but does not share the admiration for him that Daigorou initially displays.

Kaoru Kamiya becomes Itsuko's friend while she stays at the Kamiya Dojo, and the two share household responsibilities.

Shibata leads the Beni-aoi group that abducts Itsuko to pressure her father into surrendering information about the Tokugawa money.