Yasaburo Hoshina

Hoshina is proud, hot-blooded and intensely committed to the traditional warrior ideal of an honorable death. When Kiyohara's oppression becomes intolerable, he prefers open rebellion despite understanding that his force has little chance of defeating the provincial government.

His attitude is not simply recklessness. Hoshina feels responsible for people suffering under Kiyohara and cannot accept passively watching them be exploited. The problem is that his idea of responsibility initially prioritizes dying for them over surviving to continue protecting them.

Tokiyuki's intervention gives him another model of courage. Hoshina proves capable of changing his mind once he understands that retreat is not necessarily surrender, and that keeping his followers alive may be the more demanding duty of a lord.

Hoshina is a formidable samurai with substantial battlefield experience. He can cut through ordinary soldiers efficiently and commands a group of retainers who share his aggressive fighting spirit.

He is also an effective local commander. His followers trust him enough to join a rebellion against an imperial official despite the enormous political and military risks involved.

Once Hoshina accepts the objective of survival, his force becomes especially dangerous during retreat. The same warriors who were prepared to throw away their lives can instead use their aggression to protect civilians and prevent pursuing troops from breaking the formation.

Hoshina raises an army after Kiyohara's taxation and abuses become intolerable. Because Kiyohara was appointed by the imperial court, Yorishige Suwa cannot openly send the full Suwa military to support the rebellion without creating a much larger political crisis.

Tokiyuki and the Elusive Warriors are therefore sent to persuade Hoshina to stop. Hoshina initially rejects the idea of fleeing, believing that a warrior should preserve his pride through death even when victory is impossible.

Tokiyuki eventually convinces him that surviving requires its own form of resolve. Hoshina withdraws, but Kiyohara's army pursues his warriors and civilians, turning the retreat into a major battle. Hoshina survives the northern Shinano conflict and later becomes a recurring military ally of Tokiyuki, fighting with him during the campaigns that follow.

Tokiyuki Houjou fundamentally changes Hoshina's understanding of retreat. Hoshina initially rejects the boy's philosophy but comes to recognize survival as a legitimate warrior's choice.

Yorishige Suwa leads the Suwa religious and military network to which Hoshina belongs.

Shinomiya Zaemon Tarou is Hoshina's neighboring lord and fellow Suwa warrior. Shinomiya attempts to temper Hoshina's determination to fight a hopeless battle and later supports the retreat.

Kiyohara Shinanokami is the provincial official whose oppressive taxation drives Hoshina into rebellion. Their conflict continues beyond the initial uprising and ultimately brings them together again during the Nakasendai War.

Kojiro, Ayako, Fubuki and Kazama Genba fight alongside Hoshina's force during the withdrawal from Kawanakajima.