Sakumura

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Sakumura Anno (左村 安诺)
Alias(es)	“Feather Demon Slash”; “Hawk/Eagle of the Restoration”; king-slayer; Mountain God; Magatsu God 337 444 1792 2046
Species/Race	Human; later manifests as a Heroic Spirit Servant, including Assassin and Saber forms 1864 2084
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Four-Person Alliance; Chaldea; formerly associated with the Shieikan 340 444 2167
Occupation/Role	Swordsman, reformer, assassin, educator, and founder of Kyoto University’s foreign-languages department 444 1761
Status	Deceased in life; recorded as having died in 1882 at Hawkfall Cliff; active as a Heroic Spirit 444
First Appearance	Chapter 290

Background / History

Sakumura first appears as an amnesiac, frightened by the violence around him but unable to ignore a woman being pursued by bandits. Acting on instinct, he intervenes, kills a bandit, and later joins Okita Soji against the bandit leader. The experience reveals both his latent swordsmanship and an unsettling exhilaration in battle. 290 293

After finding a wakizashi in a cemetery, he names it Pheasant Feather. Okita brings him toward the Shieikan of the Natural Heart One-Sword Style, where Kondo Shusuke becomes the figure who most influences his understanding of why a sword should be drawn. Sakumura ultimately develops his own style rather than formally inheriting the dojo’s school. 293 311 337

His self-created Hundred Birds Style gains renown alongside the title “Feather Demon Slash.” Sakumura refuses requests to teach it, believing his swordsmanship remains disorganized and that he has not earned the right to call himself strong. 337

Sakumura comes to oppose the Tokugawa Shogunate, declaring himself aligned only with change. He assassinates officials including Abe Masahiro, Ii Naosuke, and Yoshida Toyo, and is later remembered as the assassin of two Tokugawa shoguns, Tokugawa Iemochi and Tokugawa Yoshinobu. 342 346 355 1763 1792

Following Yoshida Toyo’s death, Sakumura adopts Koike Kanna, the daughter of his accomplice Koike Kazumasa. Kanna later confronts him over her father’s death; Sakumura admits responsibility and accepts that she may choose to kill him, while insisting that raising her brought him genuine happiness. 1763 394

Together with Sakamoto Ryoma, Kido Takayoshi, and Takasugi Shinsaku, Sakumura forms the Four-Person Alliance to save Japan. Although later history credits the group with helping establish the new government, Sakumura regards their effort as a failure after Ryoma and Takasugi die and he loses contact with the new government forces. 444 2167

In his final years as a samurai, Sakumura fights Hijikata Toshizo in Ezo. Hijikata severs his left arm at the shoulder during their final battle. Sakumura later lays down his sword, contributes to university education, and becomes associated with Kyoto University and its foreign-languages department. 437 1834 444 1761

Appearance

Sakumura is a lean, upright man of average height whose bearing becomes noticeably more mature as he ages. He is 178 centimeters tall and keeps his long hair tied behind his back. 385

• Initially appears frail and boyish despite possessing unusual physical strength. 290
• Wears plain kimono and distinctive feather-themed haori, including a crane-like black-and-white haori. 1794 1834
• Carries a katana and wakizashi at his waist; their scabbards are patterned after crane wings and green pheasant feathers. 347
• His historical statue at Kyoto University depicts him with one arm, reflecting the loss of his left arm in Ezo. 1834
• As the Magatsu God, he manifests black hands, twin longswords, enormous black wings, and the ability to stand upon Lake Kurokawa. 2046 2049 2053

Personality

Sakumura is restrained, humble, and uncomfortable with praise. Although he develops exceptional skill, he repeatedly describes himself as a beginner or as someone whose swordsmanship still needs refinement. 300 337

He follows a personal rule: he will not draw his blade against ordinary people, reserving it for evils he believes must be slain and formidable opponents. This conviction stems from Kondo Shusuke’s teaching that power requires restraint. 313 377

His resolve can become ruthless when confronting those he considers irredeemably dangerous. He assassinates political figures to advance reform, kills loyal assassins rather than attempting to persuade them, and is capable of cold strategic calculation. 345 355 1844

Despite this severity, Sakumura is gentle with children, protective of Kanna and Okita, and notably patient around birds. He is troubled by the harm caused by his own choices, particularly the death of Kanna’s father and the losses suffered by the Four-Person Alliance. 348 394 430 2087 2167

His Assassin manifestation is younger and more outwardly lively, while his Saber manifestation carries the composed, weary air of a man who has lived through more than swordsmanship alone. 1864 2084

Abilities & Skills

Hundred Birds Style

Sakumura’s personal sword school was created by observing birds: the grace of cranes, agility of sparrows, and ferocity of hawks. It emphasizes explosive jumping power, aerial movement, abrupt changes in direction, and single-combat mobility. 311 338 2087

• Its movements allow Sakumura to leap seven or eight meters without using his full strength. 338
• The style is visually magnificent but inherently difficult to inherit because it relies on Sakumura’s extraordinary leg strength and solitary fighting habits. 2176
• Sakumura uses the technique Separate Wing to alter his trajectory and overwhelm opponents through momentum. 365 451
• Emerald Pheasant Whirls Mountain Wind is used to destroy a group of mountain bandits. 374
• Pheasant Scatter turns his spinning wakizashi technique into a blade-filled tornado. 444
• Separate Wing II Scatter lets him clear a path through a horde of evil spirits in a single exchange. 2076

Three Separate Wings

As an Assassin, Sakumura possesses three principal stances and Noble Phantasms collectively called New Feather Wheel: Three Separate Wings. 2144

• Crane Stance — powerful and heavy; associated with the katana Crane Feather. 2144
• Pheasant Stance — swift and wide-ranging; associated with the wakizashi Pheasant Feather. 2144
• Poison Stance — a cold, vicious style that is only fully expressed through the dagger Poison Feather. 2144

Sparrow Stance

Sakumura’s Saber-only Fourth Stance, Sparrow Stance, is a state resembling Mind’s Eye in which his presence becomes difficult to perceive and his movements gain extreme speed and precision. 2144

• It allows him to assess himself objectively and wield a blade capable of severing soul and karma. 2144
• Its full release is Heartfeather Wheel: Wingless Sparrow’s Cry, which brings Sakumura and his target into his bounded field. 2161
• The technique consumes Sakumura’s Spirit Origin by turning his life itself into power; every strike weakens him in a way ordinary mana replenishment cannot repair. 2145
• He uses it against Minamoto no Raikou and Shuten Douji despite the risk of self-destruction. 2144 2160 2161

Physical Ability and Combat Adaptability

Sakumura combines agility with considerable strength, able to train by moving a house-sized boulder and to wield the exceptionally heavy Crane Feather. 303 2143

• Can fight while severely injured, including after wounds to his shoulder, hand, hip, and chest. 419 420
• Defeats Nagakura Shinpachi through acrobatics and heavier sword techniques after being initially overwhelmed by Nagakura’s strength. 418
• Defeats Harada Sanosuke despite injuries and counters Hozoin-ryu spearmanship through adaptability. 418
• Is capable of traveling by leaping through treetops and across rooftops, reportedly reaching Satsuma in two days at full speed. 400
• Possesses eyesight strong enough to identify a distant ship before the sailors can see it clearly. 411

Hostile-Intent Perception

Sakumura is unusually sensitive to malice and hostile intent. He distinguishes this instinct from true Mind’s Eye, which he can only approximate while in Sparrow Stance. 319 2166

• Detects hidden danger and reacts instinctively to attacks aimed at allies. 2131 2192
• Privately suspects Yagyu Tajima-no-kami before Yagyu’s identity as Saber Empireo is revealed. 2134 2192
• Uses subtle written signals to warn Fuuma Kotarou of danger from the Tokugawa Shogunate without alerting possible observers. 2107

Demon-Slaying and Spiritual Combat

Sakumura’s legends as a demon slayer strengthen his effectiveness against undead, yokai, and demonic Servants. 444 451

• Defeats the Day-Hiding Demon and becomes associated with the legend of Black River Mountain. 342 444
• Can harm Oryou, a serpent god, despite her divine nature. 311
• Wounds Ibaraki Douji with a Cloud-Pattern Blade forged from Ten-Thousand-Forged Jade Steel. 1829
• Defeats Rider Black Rope Hell within his Reality Marble. 2074
• Protects Fujimaru Ritsuka from Assassin Paraiso’s attempted assassination. 2131

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Crane Feather — Sakumura’s heavy katana and an oni-slaying blade. It was forged by the third-generation Suishinshi Masahide and is counted among the Suishinshi Three Masterworks. 336 2134 2152
• Pheasant Feather — a green-sheathed wakizashi Sakumura finds in a cemetery and names after a pheasant. 293 347
• Poison Feather — a concealed dagger used in assassinations of kings and ministers. 1769
• Kashu Kiyomitsu — Okita’s personal sword, later described by Sakumura as his beloved’s blade; Sakumura takes it with him during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. 430 1760
• Cloud-Pattern Blade — a sword forged from Ten-Thousand-Forged Jade Steel, used against Ibaraki Douji. 1829

Relationships

• Okita Soji — Sakumura’s earliest companion after his amnesia; they fight bandits together, later reunite through the Shieikan, and are ultimately described as beloveds. 290 347 1760
• Sakamoto Ryoma — close friend, political comrade, and fellow member of the Four-Person Alliance. Ryoma repeatedly urges Sakumura to consider the people who depend on him. 311 390 2167
• Koike Kanna — Sakumura’s adopted daughter. Their relationship is strained by his role in her father’s death, but he remains devoted to her care and safety. 394 430
• Kondo Shusuke — mentor and head of the Shieikan. Kondo does not formally teach Sakumura the sword, but teaches him the purpose and restraint behind using one. 311 340
• Ruslan — Sakumura’s English teacher and later physician. Ruslan nurses him after his battle with Saito Hajime. 341 344 420
• Hijikata Toshizo — friend turned final rival. Their confrontation in Ezo ends with Sakumura losing his left arm. 437 1834
• Kirei Kotomine — Sakumura’s Master during his Assassin manifestation in the Holy Grail War. Sakumura is wary of Kirei’s nature but attempts to guide him toward coexistence with humanity. 1764 1767 1844
• Miyamoto Musashi — Saber-era ally and fellow swordsman. Sakumura guides her without accepting her as a disciple, fearing that his path would hinder her own. 2115 2167 2176
• Fujimaru Ritsuka — Master and ally during the Shimosa conflict. Sakumura accepts Ritsuka’s decisions, protects them in battle, and investigates the Singularity alongside them. 2084 2107 2131

Story Role / Major Arcs

Bakumatsu Era

• Awakens without memories, discovers his innate talent, and forms an initial bond with Okita. 290 293
• Develops the Hundred Birds Style, acquires Crane Feather, and becomes known as “Feather Demon Slash.” 311 336 337
• Opposes the Shogunate, assassinates key political figures, and works toward national reform. 342 355
• Forms the Four-Person Alliance with Ryoma, Kido, and Takasugi. 2167
• Faces the Shinsengumi captains after assassinating Tokugawa Iemochi, fighting Okita, Nagakura, Harada, Inoue, and Saito in succession. 417 418 419 2080
• Fights Hijikata in Ezo, loses his left arm, and eventually abandons the sword after returning from the conflict. 437 1834 1864

Holy Grail War

• Manifests as Assassin under Kirei Kotomine and uses his political judgment, historical knowledge, and assassination skill in the conflict. 1767 1769
• Survives Emiya Kiritsugu’s ambush with help from Kirei, Anno, and Alexander. 1832
• Is identified as an Assassin capable of being summoned as Saber or Berserker, with Saber representing his later, more complete state of mind. 1792 1864

Black River Mountain Singularity

• Becomes the Mountain God and creator of the Black River Mountain Singularity after devouring the mountain and expanding into a Divine Spirit Servant. 2046 2049
• Takes on the form of the Magatsu God, manifesting wings and twin swords. 2049 2053
• Defeats Hoshiguma Yuna’s Day-Hiding Demon form and establishes control over Black River Mountain. 2053

Shimosa Conflict

• Appears as Saber to investigate a culprit connected to his past and joins Fujimaru Ritsuka and Miyamoto Musashi. 2084
• Helps fight the Heroic Spirit Swordmasters, while identifying the danger posed by the Tokugawa Shogunate and later suspecting Yagyu Tajima-no-kami. 2107 2134
• Uses Sparrow Stance against Minamoto no Raikou and Shuten Douji, at significant cost to his Spirit Origin. 2144 2161 2164
• Cooperates with Musashi and Fuuma Kotarou to defeat Caster Limbo. 2185

Notable Quotes

“I stand only on the side of change.”
— Sakumura to Abe Masahiro 342

“My school is the Hundred Birds Style. It isn't any famous school. It's just something I developed on my own.”
— Sakumura 311

“Power without restraint cannot—and does not deserve to—be used.”
— Sakumura 377

Trivia

• Sakumura has a pronounced fondness for birds and can attract them closely enough to teach children how to approach them. 400 2087
• He is afraid of water and struggles to learn swimming. 352 377
• He studies English under Ruslan and later masters conversational English. 341 344
• A statue of Sakumura stands in Kyoto University’s foreign-languages department. 1761
• Despite his fame as a swordsman, Sakumura considers the sword a tool for reform rather than the central purpose of his life. 1778 1996