Ono no Takamura, a real historical person who lived during the Heian period. However, in this game, having donned the Oni gauntlet, he remains alive and active right up to the Edo period in which Musashi and his allies live.
Does living for such a long time bring him joy or happiness? Takamura surely has his own thoughts on the matter.
The answer to that might be glimpsed within the game. He is a mentor and also a senior master of swordsmanship to Musashi. At times strict, at times a source of strength, he is a ally who teaches him many things.
— Director Nihei
