Fujiwara no Hidesato

Fujiwara no Hidesato (藤原 秀郷), also known by his nickname Tawara Tōda (俵藤太), or "Lord Bag of Rice", was a Japanese noble, samurai, and folk hero of the 10th century during the Heian period.

According to the Tawara Tōda Monogatari (俵藤太物語, "The Tale of Tawara Tōda"), Hidesato was crossing Seta Bridge near Lake Biwa in Ōmi Province when a dragon-snake requested his aid to avenge its family's murder after a yōkai called the Ōmukade (大百足, "giant centipede") slew and ate them. Tracking the arthropod to its lair at Mount Mikami, Hidesato used his bow to loose three arrows at it. While the first two glanced off its carapace, the last one had been held in his mouth and had his saliva on it, a factor which made it lethal. Returning to the bridge, Hidesato learned that the dragon-serpent was actually a disguised Ryūgū-jō (龍宮, lit. "Dragon Palace") courtier, who took him to see the coral palace's owner Ryūjin (龍神, lit. "Dragon God") as a reward for his service. At the palace, Ryūjin showered Hidesato with gifts, including an armor set, a sword, and an inexhaustible rice sack (tawara, 俵), from where he earned his nickname. The Lady Oichi later retold this story to Yasuke in 1582.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Shadows (mentioned only)