Kiyohara Shinanokami

Kiyohara is arrogant, eccentric and intensely self-centered. He views his appointment not merely as an administrative responsibility but as permission to impose his personal vision on Shinano. The suffering caused by his taxation does little to restrain that ambition.

He has a strong creative impulse. Kiyohara enjoys altering appearances, devising new ideas and imagining grand projects, but his imagination is not matched by sound judgment. He frequently pursues ideas without adequately considering their human or military consequences.

His vanity also extends to aesthetics. He applies the visual standards of a Kyoto noble to himself and even attempts to improve the appearance of warriors around him according to his own tastes.

Kiyohara is initially a poor military commander. He lacks the battlefield judgment of Sadamune and Sukefusa Ichikawa, and his political rank rather than his combat skill is what gives him authority over them.

He nevertheless possesses considerable intelligence in invention and engineering. When given a problem that can be approached through construction rather than conventional tactics, Kiyohara can produce genuinely innovative ideas.

After further training, he develops competent archery. He later receives divine power from Takauji and uses his inventive talent to construct increasingly elaborate war machines, including a large vehicle armed with crossbows. The power amplifies his abilities while also driving him further from ordinary humanity.

Kiyohara's appointment destabilizes northern Shinano. His heavy taxation and oppressive policies drive Yasaburo Hoshina and his followers into rebellion even though challenging an imperial official places the Suwa faction in a politically dangerous position.

Tokiyuki Houjou is sent to persuade Hoshina to withdraw rather than die in a hopeless revolt. Kiyohara's forces pursue the retreating warriors and civilians, turning Tokiyuki's argument for survival into a practical test of whether he can lead people safely away from a stronger army.

Kiyohara later returns to the battlefield after acquiring new military skills and eventually receives divine power from Takauji. During the Nakasendai War, his inventions make him a much more dangerous opponent than the incompetent commander encountered earlier. He is ultimately beheaded by Hoshina during the fighting.

Go-Daigo Tennou appoints Kiyohara to govern Shinano, giving him authority over the province.

Sadamune Ogasawara serves as Shinano's military governor but ranks below Kiyohara's provincial office, preventing him from simply overriding Kiyohara's decisions.

Sukefusa Ichikawa works alongside Sadamune within the provincial military structure.

Yasaburo Hoshina rebels against Kiyohara after his policies become intolerable to the people of northern Shinano.

Shinomiya Zaemon Tarou joins the local resistance against Kiyohara's forces.

Wada Yonemaru commands troops serving Kiyohara, although Yonemaru privately regards him as incompetent and hopes to exploit his authority for personal advancement.

Takauji Ashikaga later grants Kiyohara divine power, transforming the threat he poses during the Nakasendai War.