Kaoru Kamiya's Backstory
Instructor of Kamiya Kasshin-ryū in Tokyo, whose dojo was abandoned after an impostor tarnished its name.
Kamiya Kaoru is the instructor of a kendo school in Tokyo called Kamiya Kasshin-ryū. All of its students leave when many people are killed by someone claiming to be Hitokiri Battōsai and a practitioner of Kamiya Kasshin-ryū, damaging her school's reputation. The real Battōsai, now wandering pacifist Himura Kenshin, saves Kaoru from this murderous impostor. Kaoru invites Kenshin to stay at her dojo as she notes that he is a gentle person instead of a hitokiri.
- Character
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Role
- Protagonist / Dojo Master
- Affiliation
- Kamiya Kasshin Style
- First Appears
- Early Meiji Era (Tokyo)
- Status
- Alive
Lore & Background
Kaoru's backstory begins with her role as the instructor of a kendo school in Tokyo called Kamiya Kasshin-ryū. Her school's reputation is damaged when many people are killed by someone claiming to be Hitokiri Battōsai and a practitioner of Kamiya Kasshin-ryū, causing all of her students to leave. The real Battōsai, now wandering pacifist Himura Kenshin, saves Kaoru from this murderous impostor. After this rescue, Kaoru invites Kenshin to stay at her dojo because she notes that he is a gentle person instead of a hitokiri. As the series continues, Kaoru develops strong romantic feelings for Kenshin, who is constantly haunted by his past deeds and believes he does not deserve happiness.
In Their Own Story
Kaoru's story begins in 1878, when her dojo in Tokyo has been abandoned by all students after a series of murders committed by an impostor claiming to be Hitokiri Battōsai and a practitioner of Kamiya Kasshin-ryū. The real Battōsai, Himura Kenshin, arrives and saves Kaoru from this impostor. Recognizing Kenshin's gentle nature despite his fearsome reputation, Kaoru invites him to stay at her dojo. Over time, she develops strong romantic feelings for Kenshin, though he remains haunted by his past as an assassin and believes he does not deserve happiness.
Reader's Guide
Kaoru's role in the story begins with her meeting Himura Kenshin in 1878. Her dojo, Kamiya Kasshin-ryū, has been abandoned by all students after an impostor claiming to be Hitokiri Battōsai killed people while using her school's style. Kenshin saves her from this impostor, and she invites him to stay at her dojo, recognizing his gentle nature. Throughout the series, Kaoru develops romantic feelings for Kenshin, who struggles with his past as an assassin. She also becomes the teacher of Myōjin Yahiko, a young orphan from a samurai family who starts training under her. Kaoru interacts with other characters including Takani Megumi, a doctor who flirts with Kenshin to make Kaoru jealous, and Sagara Sanosuke, Kenshin's best friend.
Did You Know?
- Kaoru is the instructor of a kendo school in Tokyo called Kamiya Kasshin-ryū.
- All of Kaoru's students leave after an impostor claiming to be Hitokiri Battōsai kills people while using Kamiya Kasshin-ryū.
- Kaoru invites Kenshin to stay at her dojo after he saves her from the impostor, noting that he is a gentle person.
- Kaoru develops strong romantic feelings for Kenshin, who is haunted by his past and believes he does not deserve happiness.
- Myōjin Yahiko, a young orphan from a samurai family, starts training under Kaoru at her dojo.