Tsuki-maru
Tsuki-maru was a Japanese akita inu that lived during the 16th century.
Biography
Originally owned by a man named Ichiro, Tsuki-maru lived with his owner at a estate in Izumi Settsu. Ichiro's sister-in-law Takako, who was jealous of his wealth and possessions, hired a group of mercenaries to eliminate Ichiro so that she could gain his inheritance. Knowing his sister-in-law was after his possessions, Ichiro led her to believe he had left behind an inheritance, though in reality, he had left behind his final will entrusting Tsuki-maru to a potential and kind owner.[1]
After Ichiro's death, his body was buried in a grave near Tennoji Temple along with the box containing his will, with the key to the box hidden by Tsuki-maru in a hidden spot at the estate. Since then, Tsuki-maru remained by his late owner's grave while Takako would attempt to retrieve the key from the dog. Though he was able to chase her away, Tsuki-maru suffered some injuries as a result. Around 1582, the kunoichi Fujibayashi Naoe visited Tsuki-maru and the grave after learning stories circling around the region. Tsuki-maru led Naoe to Takako at Ichiro's estate where she uncovered her as Ichiro's murderer. After Naoe took care of them and found the key under the estate, Tsuki-maru returned to Ichiro's grave where he dug up the box containing the letter. Naoe read the letter and understood Ichiro's final wishes, making an offer to Tsuki-maru to join her at the hideout as a guard dog. Tsuki-maru accepted the offer and made it his new home.[1]
Behind the scenes
Tsuki-maru is a minor character in Assassin's Creed: Shadows, introduced as part of the Thrown to the Dogs questline. His name is made of two parts; tsuki (月) "moon" and maru (丸) "perfection, full circle" which is a common suffix for Japanese male names.
Gallery
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Tsuki-maru found by Naoe at Ichiro's gravesite -
Tsuki-maru and Naoe confronting Takako -
Tsuki-maru joins Naoe as a member of her hideout
