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{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Spoilerhd|20 June 2025|[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]}}
{{Quote|Before my day of atonement comes, I am content to do what I have always done. Kill in the name of freedom. To prove my faith in the name of a Brotherhood that will not have me, and the new one I will build.|Alvaro Catarribera's declaration, 1549.|Assassin's Creed: Shadows|Database: Rift 2 - The Heart of an Assassin}}
{{Expand}}
{{Quote|Before my day of atonement comes, I am content to do what I have always done. Kill in the name of freedom. To prove my faith in the name of a Brotherhood that will not have me, and the new one I will build.|Alvaro Catarribera's declaration, 1549.|Assassin's Creed: Shadows}}
{{Character Infobox
{{Character Infobox
|name = Alvaro Catarribera
|name = Alvaro Catarribera
Line 9: Line 7:
|death =
|death =
|species = [[Human]]
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = [[Assassins]]
|affiliates = *[[Assassins]]
*[[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Brotherhood]] {{c|formerly}}
**[[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Brotherhood]] {{c|exiled}}
*[[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Kakushiba ''ikki'']]
**[[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Kakushiba ''ikki'']]
}}
}}
'''Alvaro Catarribera''' was a [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Assassin]] who operated during the 16th century. After being excommunicated from the Spanish Brotherhood for breaking [[the Creed]], he traveled to [[Asia|East Asia]], where he founded the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Kakushiba ''ikki'']], a new Assassin branch in [[Japan]], alongside his apprentice, [[Tsuyu]].
'''Alvaro Catarribera''' was a [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Assassin]] who operated during the 16th century. Despite being excommunicated from the [[Assassins]] for breaking [[the Creed]], he traveled to [[Asia|East Asia]], where he founded the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Kakushiba ''ikki'']], a new [[Assassin Guild]] in [[Japan]], alongside his [[Assassin apprentice|apprentice]], [[Fujibayashi Tsuyu|Tsuyu]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early life===
===Founding the Kakushiba ''ikki''===
Formerly a member of the Spanish Brotherhood, Catarribera was excommunicated after he killed an innocent girl, breaking one of the Creed's tenets. This led him to leave [[Spain]] and embark on a journey to the Far East, spending time in [[Malacca]], [[Republic of China|Formosa]], and finally in [[Macau]]. There, he overheard two [[Templars]] speaking of starting an expedition to [[Japan]] with the intention to spread their ideals. Determined to stop their efforts, Catarribera followed them and arrived in [[Nagasaki]] in 1549, using the arrival of the [[Jesuits|Jesuit]] and Templar [[Francis Xavier]]'s delegation as cover and access.<ref name="Heart of an Assassin">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – The Heart of an Assassin</ref>
Formerly a member of the Spanish Brotherhood, Catarribera was excommunicated after he killed an innocent girl during a pursuit gone wrong, breaking one of the Creed's tenets. Purposeless, he left [[Spain]] and embarked on a journey to the Far East, spending time in [[Malacca]], [[Republic of China|Formosa]], and finally ending up in [[Macau]].<ref name="Heart of an Assassin">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Database: Rift 2 - The Heart of an Assassin]]</ref>
 
While in Macau, Catarribera was roused from a drunken haze when he overheard two [[Templars]] speaking of starting an expedition to [[Japan]] to spread their ideals. Loyal to the Assassin cause though no longer a member, Catarribera rediscovered his resolve and, determined to stop the Order's efforts, followed the Templars to [[Nagasaki]] in 1549, using the arrival of the [[Jesuits|Jesuit]] and Templar [[Francis Xavier]]'s delegation as cover and access. Realizing the need for allies against the group, Catarribera found one in a starving and injured girl named Tsuyu, raising and training her to follow in his footsteps; this laid the foundation for what eventually became the Kakushiba ''ikki''.<ref name="Heart of an Assassin"/>
 
Shortly after establishing their brotherhood, Catarribera and Tsuyu contacted Emperor [[Tomohito|Go-Nara]] for support against the growing Templar threat in Japan.<ref name="Secrets of the Blade">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Secrets of the Blade]]</ref> In return, the emperor entrusted them with the [[Imperial Regalia of Japan|Imperial Regalia]], tasking them to keep the three artifacts safe.<ref name="Meaning of the Blade">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[The Meaning of the Blade]]</ref>
 
===Passing the torch===
{{Quote|Today I announced my departure to Tsuyu. I gave her the task of protecting the objects... to keep their secrets. The balance of Japan rests with her. We live in shadow to serve the light.|Catarribera's final words in his journal.|Assassin's Creed: Shadows|Secrets of the Blade}}
By 1560, Catarribera had heard rumors about a ''[[Ninja|shinobi]]'' named [[Momochi Sandayu]] fighting ''[[daimyō]]'' oppression in [[Iga]]. Believing Sandayu had the potential to become a valuable ally, Catarribera and Tsuyu traveled to Iga,<ref name="Secrets of the Blade"/> where they met Sandayu and informed him of their [[Assassin-Templar War|cause]].<ref name="ACSHInM 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]</ref>


Realizing the need for allies against the group, Catarribera found it in a starving and injured girl named Tsuyu, raising and training her to follow in his footsteps. This laid the foundation of what became the Kakushiba ''ikki''.<ref name="Heart of an Assassin" /> Shortly after establishing the organization, the Assassins were tasked by {{Wiki|Emperor Go-Nara}} with safeguarding the three Imperial Regalia.<ref name="Meaning of the Blade">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – The Meaning of the Blade</ref>
Later, Catarribera and Sandayu observed a fight between Sandayu's apprentice [[Hattori Hanzō]] and [[Fujibayashi Nagato|Fujibayashi Masayasu]], a talented young farmer whom Sandayu also hoped to recruit. While spectating the fight from the treetops, the Assassin and ''shinobi'' discussed their respective apprentices' strengths and weaknesses, and Sandayu expressed his belief that, if Hanzō were to work alongside someone like Tsuyu, he could learn from her and change for the better. To this, Catarribera revealed that Tsuyu's character was still a mystery to him even after all these years, as she had lived her entire life thinking only about how to fight.<ref name="ACSHInM 1"/>


===Founding the Kakushiba ''ikki''===
Eventually, Sandayu decided to take Masayasu under his wing and train him as a ''shinobi'', after the latter impressed him by beating Hanzō during their fight.<ref name="ACSHInM 1"/> Meanwhile, Catarribera, needing to depart for parts unknown, arranged for Tsuyu to continue her training under Sandayu's guidance, and sent her to live and train alongside Masayasu and Hanzō.<ref name="ACSHInM 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]</ref> Believing Tsuyu was ready to continue the Kakushiba ''ikki''{{'}}s mission alone, Catarribera gave her the Imperial Regalia and trusted her to protect the artifacts, leaving their brotherhood's future in her hands.<ref name="Secrets of the Blade"/>
By 1560, Catarribera had become acquainted with the [[Ninja|shinobi]] [[Momochi Sandayu]] and his apprentice [[Hattori Hanzō]], both members of the [[Iga ikki|Iga ''ikki'']]. Due to the similarities between the Assassins and shinobi's ideologies and ''modus operandi'', Catarribera and Sandayu quickly became friends, laying the foundations of a strong alliance between their respective organizations.<ref name="ACSHInM 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Iga no Monogatari]]'' [[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Iga no Monogatari Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]</ref>
 
===Legacy===
During his life, Catarribera had kept a journal which eventually came to be stored in a ''[[kofun]]'' in [[Izumi Settsu]]. In 1582, [[Fujibayashi Naoe]] investigated the ''[[Old Kofun|kofun]]'' at Hattori Hanzō's suggestion and found the book. As it was written in {{Wiki|Latin}}, she could not read it and met with her ally [[Yasuke]] for a translation. Thus, the two learned about Catarribera's role in founding the Kakushiba ''ikki'', training Naoe's mother Tsuyu, and safeguarding the Imperial Regalia.<ref name="Secrets of the Blade"/>
 
==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|A young girl, fear and confusion etched into her lifeless eyes. My hidden blade, bright and sticky with the waxy sheen of her blood. To this day, I do not know her name. It is likely for the best. One thing to have nightmares. Another thing to know them on a first-name basis. A nightmare that has pursued me since my excommunication from the Brotherhood.|Catarribera talking about his nightmares.|Animus Hub|Database: Rift 2 - The Heart of an Assassin}}
Alvaro Catarribera was a jovial individual, always trying to see the best in people and occasionaly making jokes to lighten the atmosphere; a stark contrast to his apprentice Tsuyu, who remained ever-stoic.<ref name="ACSHInM 1"/>
 
However, deep inside, Catarribera was haunted by his unintentional murder of an innocent girl and perceived failures as an Assassin, frequently having nightmares in which he would see the girl's face as his [[Hidden Blade]] struck her. For years, he wandered the world aimlessly while trying to drink his sorrows away, until learning about the Templars' planned expansion to Japan, which made him regain his sense of duty. Despite no longer being an Assassin, he felt it was his responsibility to stop the Templars' plans and establish a Brotherhood in Japan to fight against them.<ref name="Heart of an Assassin"/>
 
Upon meeting Tsuyu, Catarribera saw the determination in her eyes and her willingness to learn, and trained her as an Assassin to follow in his footsteps. Although he was uncertain whether he could ever achieve redemption for his past transgressions, Catarribera nonetheless resolved to fight in the name of freedom, as he always had, and hoped that the new Brotherhood he built was proof that he never lost faith in the Assassins' [[Assassin-Templar War|cause]].<ref name="Heart of an Assassin"/>
 
==Behind the scenes==
Alvaro Catarribera is a character introduced in the modern-day [[Rifts]] of ''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'', through his voice only, before appearing in the game's prequel manga, ''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga]]''. His role as the founder of the Kakushiba ''ikki'', which became the Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins, contradicts information from the 2019 manga ''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'', which concludes with the implication that [[Shao Jun]]'s apprentice, [[Kotetsu]], would found the Japanese Brotherhood.
 
Despite being a former member of the Spanish Assassins, who were notable for retaining the practice of the ring finger sacrifice long after it was rendered unnecessary by [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]'s modifications to the Hidden Blade, Catarribera is shown having all of his fingers in ''Tales of Iga''. This could imply that the Spanish Assassins abandoned the practice shortly before Catarribera joined the Brotherhood.


As Catarribera attempted to expand the Kakushiba ''ikki'', he and Tsuyu traveled to [[Iga]], where the senior Assassin took an interest in [[Fujibayashi Nagato|Fujibayashi Masayasu]], a local farmer protecting his village from [[bandit]]s and corrupt [[samurai]]. At Catarribera's suggestion, Sandayu decided to test Masayasu's skills by pitting him against Hanzō in a fight, which Catarribera and Sandayu watched from the treetops while discussing their respective apprentices and Masayasu. After Masayasu emerged victorious using underhanded tactics, an impressed Sandayu decided to train him as a ''shinobi''.<ref name="ACSHInM 1"/>
===Etymology===
The name Alvaro, an alternate spelling of Álvaro, is of Spanish and Portuguese origin and is derived from the Germanic {{Wiki|Visigoths|Visigothic}} elements ''alls'' ("all") and ''wars'' ("watchful", "cautious", "guard"). Catarribera is not a common Spanish surname, although it appears to be composed of two elements: "Catarri", possibly derived from the Latin ''cataracta'' ("waterfall"), and "Ribera", which is a common Spanish surname meaning "riverbank".


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' {{c|voice only}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Iga no Monogatari]]''
**''[[Claws of Awaji]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Animus Hub]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga]]'' {{1st}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Assassins nav}}
{{AnimusHub}}
{{ACSH}}
{{ACSH}}
{{ACSHInM}}
{{ACSHInM}}
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[[Category:Japanese Assassins]]
[[Category:Japanese Assassins]]
[[Category:Assassin leaders]]
[[Category:Assassin leaders]]
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Latest revision as of 23:11, 10 May 2026

"Before my day of atonement comes, I am content to do what I have always done. Kill in the name of freedom. To prove my faith in the name of a Brotherhood that will not have me, and the new one I will build."
―Alvaro Catarribera's declaration, 1549.[src]-[m]

Alvaro Catarribera was a Spanish Assassin who operated during the 16th century. Despite being excommunicated from the Assassins for breaking the Creed, he traveled to East Asia, where he founded the Kakushiba ikki, a new Assassin Guild in Japan, alongside his apprentice, Tsuyu.

Biography[edit | edit source]

Founding the Kakushiba ikki[edit | edit source]

Formerly a member of the Spanish Brotherhood, Catarribera was excommunicated after he killed an innocent girl during a pursuit gone wrong, breaking one of the Creed's tenets. Purposeless, he left Spain and embarked on a journey to the Far East, spending time in Malacca, Formosa, and finally ending up in Macau.[1]

While in Macau, Catarribera was roused from a drunken haze when he overheard two Templars speaking of starting an expedition to Japan to spread their ideals. Loyal to the Assassin cause though no longer a member, Catarribera rediscovered his resolve and, determined to stop the Order's efforts, followed the Templars to Nagasaki in 1549, using the arrival of the Jesuit and Templar Francis Xavier's delegation as cover and access. Realizing the need for allies against the group, Catarribera found one in a starving and injured girl named Tsuyu, raising and training her to follow in his footsteps; this laid the foundation for what eventually became the Kakushiba ikki.[1]

Shortly after establishing their brotherhood, Catarribera and Tsuyu contacted Emperor Go-Nara for support against the growing Templar threat in Japan.[2] In return, the emperor entrusted them with the Imperial Regalia, tasking them to keep the three artifacts safe.[3]

Passing the torch[edit | edit source]

"Today I announced my departure to Tsuyu. I gave her the task of protecting the objects... to keep their secrets. The balance of Japan rests with her. We live in shadow to serve the light."
―Catarribera's final words in his journal.[src]-[m]

By 1560, Catarribera had heard rumors about a shinobi named Momochi Sandayu fighting daimyō oppression in Iga. Believing Sandayu had the potential to become a valuable ally, Catarribera and Tsuyu traveled to Iga,[2] where they met Sandayu and informed him of their cause.[4]

Later, Catarribera and Sandayu observed a fight between Sandayu's apprentice Hattori Hanzō and Fujibayashi Masayasu, a talented young farmer whom Sandayu also hoped to recruit. While spectating the fight from the treetops, the Assassin and shinobi discussed their respective apprentices' strengths and weaknesses, and Sandayu expressed his belief that, if Hanzō were to work alongside someone like Tsuyu, he could learn from her and change for the better. To this, Catarribera revealed that Tsuyu's character was still a mystery to him even after all these years, as she had lived her entire life thinking only about how to fight.[4]

Eventually, Sandayu decided to take Masayasu under his wing and train him as a shinobi, after the latter impressed him by beating Hanzō during their fight.[4] Meanwhile, Catarribera, needing to depart for parts unknown, arranged for Tsuyu to continue her training under Sandayu's guidance, and sent her to live and train alongside Masayasu and Hanzō.[5] Believing Tsuyu was ready to continue the Kakushiba ikki's mission alone, Catarribera gave her the Imperial Regalia and trusted her to protect the artifacts, leaving their brotherhood's future in her hands.[2]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

During his life, Catarribera had kept a journal which eventually came to be stored in a kofun in Izumi Settsu. In 1582, Fujibayashi Naoe investigated the kofun at Hattori Hanzō's suggestion and found the book. As it was written in Latin, she could not read it and met with her ally Yasuke for a translation. Thus, the two learned about Catarribera's role in founding the Kakushiba ikki, training Naoe's mother Tsuyu, and safeguarding the Imperial Regalia.[2]

Personality and traits[edit | edit source]

"A young girl, fear and confusion etched into her lifeless eyes. My hidden blade, bright and sticky with the waxy sheen of her blood. To this day, I do not know her name. It is likely for the best. One thing to have nightmares. Another thing to know them on a first-name basis. A nightmare that has pursued me since my excommunication from the Brotherhood."
―Catarribera talking about his nightmares.[src]-[m]

Alvaro Catarribera was a jovial individual, always trying to see the best in people and occasionaly making jokes to lighten the atmosphere; a stark contrast to his apprentice Tsuyu, who remained ever-stoic.[4]

However, deep inside, Catarribera was haunted by his unintentional murder of an innocent girl and perceived failures as an Assassin, frequently having nightmares in which he would see the girl's face as his Hidden Blade struck her. For years, he wandered the world aimlessly while trying to drink his sorrows away, until learning about the Templars' planned expansion to Japan, which made him regain his sense of duty. Despite no longer being an Assassin, he felt it was his responsibility to stop the Templars' plans and establish a Brotherhood in Japan to fight against them.[1]

Upon meeting Tsuyu, Catarribera saw the determination in her eyes and her willingness to learn, and trained her as an Assassin to follow in his footsteps. Although he was uncertain whether he could ever achieve redemption for his past transgressions, Catarribera nonetheless resolved to fight in the name of freedom, as he always had, and hoped that the new Brotherhood he built was proof that he never lost faith in the Assassins' cause.[1]

Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

Alvaro Catarribera is a character introduced in the modern-day Rifts of Assassin's Creed: Shadows, through his voice only, before appearing in the game's prequel manga, Assassin's Creed: Shadows – Tales of Iga. His role as the founder of the Kakushiba ikki, which became the Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins, contradicts information from the 2019 manga Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun, which concludes with the implication that Shao Jun's apprentice, Kotetsu, would found the Japanese Brotherhood.

Despite being a former member of the Spanish Assassins, who were notable for retaining the practice of the ring finger sacrifice long after it was rendered unnecessary by Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's modifications to the Hidden Blade, Catarribera is shown having all of his fingers in Tales of Iga. This could imply that the Spanish Assassins abandoned the practice shortly before Catarribera joined the Brotherhood.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Alvaro, an alternate spelling of Álvaro, is of Spanish and Portuguese origin and is derived from the Germanic Visigothic elements alls ("all") and wars ("watchful", "cautious", "guard"). Catarribera is not a common Spanish surname, although it appears to be composed of two elements: "Catarri", possibly derived from the Latin cataracta ("waterfall"), and "Ribera", which is a common Spanish surname meaning "riverbank".

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]