Dramatis Personae
This story is entirely a work of fiction. Where real historical figures appear, all incidents and dialogue are from the author’s imagination, and the historical situation in this story may differ from the actual events.
Kazuhito
—head of the Northern Court, the ex-emperor, a Buddhist monk, age 40
Akiko
—mistress to Kazuhito, the younger sister of Ōgimachi Saneko, Tai-no-Onkata as her professional name as a court lady, the nanny of her nephew Naohito, age 40
Yutahito
—full younger brother of Kazuhito, the ex-emperor, a Buddhist monk, age 32
Okihito
—Kazuhito’s son, the dethroned emperor, age 19
Naohito
—Kazuhito’s son, the dethroned crown prince, age 18
Hisanari
—Hisanari of Wake, the royal family’s doctor
Sadako
—Secretary of Kazuhito, daughter of Sesonji Sadakane, the Northern Court lady
Takako
—Secretary of Yutahito, daughter of Aburakōji (Shijō) Takakage, the Northern Court lady
Tsugiko
—Secretary of Okihito, the Northern Court lady
Noriyoshi
—Go-Daigo’s son, the present Southern Emperor
Kadoko
—Lady Sanmi of deceased Go-Daigo, the empress dowager of the Southern Court, mother of Noriyoshi
Iga
—the Southern Court lady, wife of Kusunoki Masanori
Koben
—a Southern teenage samurai
Tsudzure
—the daughter of Go-Daigo
