Shimotsuki Ushimaru

Name

霜月牛マル (Shimotsuki Ushimaru)

Epithet

Daimyo of Ringo, the sword-master who traveled with a fox

Status

deceased

Affiliation

ShimotsukiRingo

First seen

Ch. 953

“Daimyo of Ringo, the sword-master who traveled with a fox” · deceased · of the Shimotsuki clan · first named Ch. 953

Profile

The late daimyo of Ringo, of the Shimotsuki clan that oversaw Ringo and neighboring Hakumai. A master of the sword who “always traveled with a fox companion” — the koma-fox Gyukimaru (pp. 5, 7). He died when Kaido destroyed Ringo. His grave is guarded to this day by Onimaru. First named and shown (retrospective portrait) Ch. 953.

Arc-by-arc updates

Wano Country — Ringo (Ch. 953) — first mention / retrospective portrait

• Named as Ringo’s late daimyo of the Shimotsuki clan, a swordmaster who “always traveled with a fox companion” — the koma-fox Gyukimaru (pp. 5, 7).
• Died when Kaido brought about Ringo’s downfall; his grave is guarded to this day by Onimaru.
• (first_mentioned/first_appearance/last_appearance SET 0953; status: deceased.)

Notes

• Etymology done : 霜月 Shimotsuki “frost month” (November — fits snowbound Ringo) + 牛マル Ushimaru (牛 ushi “ox” + maru), echoing Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s childhood name). The Ushimaru↔Onimaru lord/companion pair mirrors the historical Yoshitsune↔Benkei lord/retainer pair (Benkei = Oniwaka = Gyukimaru). See frontmatter etymology.