A former peasant, Ishido Kazunari raised himself to become an all-powerful warlord, a member of the Council of Regents, and the Protector of Osaka Castle. Ishido is a brusque military veteran who seeks order and routine in all aspects of his life, getting pleasure from daily rituals and bringing order to chaos.
At the beginning of our story, Ishido has finally brought the other members of the Council of Regents to his side, convincing them that Toranaga is dangerous for the realm. Jealous and suspicious of the power that Toranaga holds and continues to gain, Ishido seeks to eliminate him.
During the Warring States Period, some social mobility was possible. Peasants could become samurai, and that is exactly what Ishido did. He dreamed of forging his own path, but when he met Nakamura, the soon to be Taikō, Ishido saw a man worth following.
A former peasant, just like him, Nakamura's intellect won him battle after battle. He fought with more brains than brawn and kept Ishido by his side as his loyal koshō. Beating even the great Toranaga, Nakamura finally managed to unify the country. In the newly built Osaka Castle, he put Ishido's sharp mind to work, dealing with the logistics of governing.
