Shimotsuki Yasuie
Shimotsuki Yasuie is the former daimyo of Hakumai who served the Kozuki clan alongside Kozuki Oden. He hid in Ebisu Town after surviving the conflict twenty years earlier and lived as a jester known as Tonoyasu. Yasuie sacrificed himself during a public execution in the Flower Capital by misleading Orochi's forces with a picture puzzle card that altered the rebellion's meeting location. He is known for his defiant laughter at the end and for entrusting the future of Wano to the surviving allies of the Kozuki family.
Appearance
Shimotsuki Yasuie has spiky hair often held by a headband and wears spotted clothing during his time as daimyo. In later years his hair becomes a large afro and his clothing turns tattered and blood-stained with visible stitches after capture. He maintains a wild grin with blood streaks across his face even while bound and injured on the execution platform.12
During his execution Yasuie is shown crucified on a tall wooden cross with arms spread and head bowed while wearing a crown-like headpiece. His figure appears small and distant against the plaza backdrop with dark hair and torn garments. Close-ups reveal heavy black shading on his hair and facial scars alongside a wide laughing mouth.34
Personality
Yasuie admits his actions were merely a prank from twenty years prior and apologizes for lying about stealing while revealing he made the picture puzzle card himself. He calmly greets Orochi after many years and addresses him directly about two things to apologize for before singing as he is carried away. His final message warns that failing to repay would be an unforgivable shame.56
History
Life in Ebisu Town
Execution in the Flower Capital
Yasuie was paraded through the Flower Capital after committing robbery and was crucified above the plaza. He revealed the picture puzzle card to the crowd and claimed responsibility for creating it before Orochi confronted him with a firearm. Yasuie was executed while laughing and singing as the last daimyo of the Kozuki shoguns.910
Final days in Ebisu Town
After Oden's death Shimotsuki Yasuie allowed himself to be captured on purpose so that his picture puzzle card could serve as a final signal for the remaining allies. He revealed the card during his execution and accepted responsibility for its creation as a means to protect the rebellion's true plans.1112
Early years in Hakumai
In Hakumai long before the major conflicts Shimotsuki Yasuie discovered his room wrecked and treasury money stolen by Oden's followers. He chose not to punish them harshly and instead offered the stolen sum plus additional funds for them to buy books and learn manners so they could properly serve Oden as future ministers of Wano.1314
Yasuie later confronted the same retainers after they attempted another theft and repeated his offer of funds while stressing that they must educate themselves to stand beside Oden when he became shogun. The retainers received direct instruction on etiquette and proper conduct during this encounter.1516
Relationships
Shimotsuki Yasuie served as guardian to Kozuki Oden and offered him support during times of trouble. He received Oden's letter requesting help when Oden's wife and children were in danger and prepared Toki for the possibility that defeat would end the country. Yasuie sat with the family and emphasized that the battle carried the future of Wano.17
Yasuie took in Kurozumi Orochi as a humble servant and attendant before Orochi left to act independently. Orochi later confronted Yasuie during the execution and mocked his death as a befitting end for a rat and hedgehog. Yasuie greeted Orochi calmly after many years despite the betrayal.1819
Yasuie is the father of O-Toko who reacts emotionally when he is strung up and later cries out for him during the execution. Allies later rescue O-Toko and entrust Yasuie's remains to a rider for proper interment while villagers call him their savior as well.2021
With Kurozumi Orochi
With Kozuki Oden
Yasuie hosted Kozuki Oden and his followers in Hakumai despite repeated incidents of trouble caused by the group. He defended Oden's honor to his own retainers and explained that Oden had once saved his life, declaring that only the best samurai should stand at Oden's side when he became shogun.2425