Kikyo

Biodata

Power Progression

Kikyo's changes in power are described through spiritual strength and bodily condition rather than named ranks.

Background / History

Priestess of Kaede's Village

Kikyo shelters Xu Zhiqiu when she arrives injured at her home, treats her neck wound, and invites her to remain in the village while recovering. Their cooperation begins when Xu Zhiqiu helps cut apart a demon and Kikyo purifies its remains. Kikyo subsequently arranges for villagers to build Xu Zhiqiu a nearby house 6 7 8.

A group of demon slayers entrusts the tainted Shikon Jewel to Kikyo and Xu Zhiqiu. Although both accept responsibility, Kikyo performs the jewel's regular purification while Xu Zhiqiu primarily fights demons. Kikyo fashions a pendant for the jewel and enshrines it; its presence attracts repeated attacks on the village 9 10 13.

Kohaku reports that a wandering priestess cursed Kikyo to die an unnatural death if she fell in love with a man. Kikyo tells her younger sister not to worry 8.

Inuyasha and the Shikon Jewel

Kikyo initially restrains Inuyasha with Sealing Arrows but chooses not to kill him. She later allows him to remain near the village because he does not threaten its inhabitants. As he begins accompanying and protecting her, their relationship develops into romance 10 11 14 16.

During this period, Kikyo treats the severely burned Onigumo and asks Xu Zhiqiu to keep his presence secret from Inuyasha. After learning that he previously tried to abduct Xu Zhiqiu, she leaves his fate to her 12.

As her spiritual power and village barrier deteriorate, Kikyo plans to give the purified Shikon Jewel to Inuyasha so he can become human. He agrees, and she hopes to leave behind the continual fighting for an ordinary life with him 18 19 22.

Betrayal, Death, and Resurrection

After Xu Zhiqiu disappears, relentless Leopard Cat Clan attacks exhaust Kikyo and Inuyasha. Naraku then manipulates them into turning against one another 26.

Kikyo later recalls being gravely wounded and finding Inuyasha with the Shikon Jewel after he had damaged the village. She seals him and chooses to die with the jewel. At first, she believes Inuyasha wounded her; the later account identifies Naraku's deception as the cause of their conflict 37 38 39.

Fifty years later, Urasue resurrects Kikyo. Despite needing dead souls to sustain her new body, Kikyo continues gathering medicinal herbs and helping villagers 34 37.

Reunion with Xu Zhiqiu

Xu Zhiqiu seeks out Kikyo and explains that she spent the intervening decades asleep inside her Jade. She encourages Kikyo to enjoy her renewed existence, buys her clothing and cosmetics, and raises the possibility that a demon engineered the apparent betrayal 37 38.

The two return to Kaede's Village, where Kikyo reconciles with her aged younger sister. Kohaku explains that she mistook the newly resurrected Kikyo for a vengeful spirit and recounts the conclusion that Naraku caused the tragedy. Kikyo also learns that Xu Zhiqiu has given jewel shards to Naraku; despite her concern, she agrees to trust her friend's judgment 39.

Kikyo then leaves with Xu Zhiqiu to pursue the Shikon Jewel shards. Along the way, they treat wounded soldiers and feed the hungry. When men from Inuyama Castle request treatment for their lord, Kikyo stays with the remaining wounded while Xu Zhiqiu accompanies them 40.

Cave of Evil Aura

Kikyo investigates a mountain covered in evil aura and enters its cave with Xu Zhiqiu. The Gu-Poison Demon draws dead souls from her body, weakening her until she collapses. Before fainting, she directs Xu Zhiqiu's attention to her bow, arrows, and the cave's seal; Xu Zhiqiu breaks the seal and carries her to safety 42 43.

After recovering enough to speak, Kikyo remains with Inuyasha while Xu Zhiqiu leaves. She later gives Xu Zhiqiu the Shikon Jewel shards she took from Kagome and asks to spend several days alone 44.

Appearance

Kikyo has a tapered face, pitch-black eyes, and glossy black hair worn in a long hime cut 6.

• Priestess attire: A white top and red hakama, with her hair tied by a plain white ribbon 7.
• Pink outfit: A pale pink garment embroidered with bellflowers, worn with rouge and loose hair 14.
• Later clothing: Adopts a pink kimono and other colorful outfits during her travels with Xu Zhiqiu; wears orange-yellow clothing at the Cave of Evil Aura 38 42.
• Resurrected appearance: Retains her youthful face despite the fifty-year interval 39.

Personality

Kikyo's cool, restrained manner contrasts with her generosity. She originally slays demons without accepting payment and readily aids villages beyond her own. Her expression softens around her younger sister and the village children, with whom she plays while gathering herbs 7 8.

She initially treats personal enjoyment as a distraction from her duties, refusing ordinary girls' clothes to maintain her focus. Her relationship with Inuyasha awakens a desire for a peaceful life, while Xu Zhiqiu later helps her become more comfortable choosing clothes, wearing makeup, and enjoying their travels 9 14 19 38 40.

Resurrection leaves her resentful of being forced to confront her painful past. She openly admits jealousy over Inuyasha's attachment to Kagome, but also reconciles with her sister and apologizes for losing control when first summoned back 38 39.

Abilities & Skills

Spiritual Perception

Kikyo detects demonic presences and recognizes dangerous concentrations of evil aura.

• Locates a concealed demon before Xu Zhiqiu notices anything amiss 8.
• Investigates the Cave of Evil Aura after observing the aura above its mountain 42.
• Her declining power leaves her unable to notice a demon swarm or Naraku nearby 18 19.

Purifying Arrows

Kikyo channels spiritual power through arrows to destroy and purify demons.

• Completely purifies a demon after Xu Zhiqiu cuts it apart 8.
• Pierces four or five demons with a single shot even during her weakened period 18.
• Her reduced strength makes some attacks require two arrows where one previously sufficed 18.

Barriers and Sealing

Kikyo uses spiritual techniques to defend settlements and restrain dangerous beings.

• Erects a barrier around Kaede's Village after becoming the Shikon Jewel's guardian 10.
• Pins Inuyasha's limbs to a tree with Sealing Arrows rather than killing him 10.
• Places a seal on the Centipede Hag's remains in the Bone-Eater's Well to prevent her return 11.
• Her weakened village barrier eventually fails to keep Naraku out 22.

Shikon Jewel Purification

Kikyo removes evil energy from the Shikon Jewel.

• Accepts responsibility for purifying and guarding it alongside Xu Zhiqiu 9.
• Thoroughly cleanses its initial black taint, though purification remains an ongoing concern 13 22.
• Plans to finish purification before giving it to Inuyasha 19 22.

Medicine and Herbcraft

Kikyo treats injuries using medicinal herbs, ointments, and bandages.

• Cleans and dresses Xu Zhiqiu's wounds during her recovery 6 7.
• Treats Onigumo's extensive burns 12.
• Gathers herbs and teaches her younger sister to identify them 7 8.
• Continues treating wounded people after resurrection 37 40.

Resurrected Body

Kikyo's restored body depends on dead souls collected for her.

• Soul Collectors replenish the souls sustaining her existence 37 43.
• Soul extraction causes severe weakness and unconsciousness; the Gu-Poison Demon exploits this vulnerability 42.
• Replenishing the lost souls is expected to restore her condition 43.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bow, arrows, and quiver — Her principal combat equipment, used for purification and sealing 7 10.
• Shikon Jewel — Entrusted to her care, enshrined for purification, and later pursued in shard form 9 13 40.
• Medicine box — Carries supplies used to treat Onigumo's burns 12.
• Word Spirit Beads — Intended to control Inuyasha's behavior, but ultimately not given to him 14.
• Scallop-shell rouge — A gift from Inuyasha, said to have belonged to his mother 14.
• Travel clothing and cosmetics — Three outfits, face powder, and rouge purchased with Xu Zhiqiu; she later learns to apply eyeliner 38 40.

Relationships

• Xu Zhiqiu — Patient, fellow jewel guardian, and close friend. Xu Zhiqiu supports her after resurrection and rescues her from the Cave of Evil Aura; Kikyo trusts her despite concerns about her involvement with Naraku 6 9 38 39 42.
• Kaede / Kohaku — Younger sister, named Kaede in the introductory scene and Kohaku in later passages. Kikyo protects and teaches her; they reconcile after fifty years apart 6 7 39.
• Inuyasha — Romantic partner before her death. Naraku's deception destroys their planned future, while his later attachment to Kagome causes Kikyo jealousy and distress 19 26 38 40.
• Kagome — Her reincarnation, sharing the same soul. Kagome's relationship with Inuyasha is a source of emotional conflict for Kikyo 38 40 41.
• Naraku — The half-demon responsible for engineering her conflict with Inuyasha. Kikyo considers him evil and questions Xu Zhiqiu's decision to entrust him with jewel shards 26 39.
• Onigumo — A burned bandit she treats before his transformation into Naraku 12 19.
• Urasue — The demon who forcibly resurrects her from her remains 34 37 39.

Notable Quotes

“I don't want to waste another arrow on you.” 10

“Qiu, I envy you. I envy how freely you can follow your heart, both back then and now.” 38

“Right now, I only want to deal with the Shikon Jewel. I won't consider anything else for the time being.” 40

Trivia

• The author explicitly describes this version of Kikyo as different from her original anime portrayal, expressing a wish for her to enjoy colorful clothes and a happier life while continuing to help others 40.
• The explanation for her declining power is not uniform: it is linked to falling in love, Xu Zhiqiu's interpretation that she wants to leave her duties behind, and Naraku's claim that the Shikon Jewel is punishing her romantic feelings 18 19.