History Literature / NansouSatomiHakkenden

* {{Youkai}}: A number of classical youkai appear in the tale, including villainous {{tanuki}} and {{bakeneko|AndNekomata}}, and a benevolent kitsune.
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* {{Youkai}}: A number of classical youkai appear in the tale, including villainous {{tanuki}} and {{bakeneko|AndNekomata}}, and a benevolent {{kitsune}}.

His territory under siege, Lord Satomi promises the hand of his daughter [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Fusehime/Princess Fuse]] to anyone who brings him the head of the enemy commander... and finds himself regretting that decision when the contest is won by Yatsufusa, his ''dog''. Controlled by [[HereditaryCurse a curse placed on the Satomi family years ago]], Yatsufusa then [[MysticalPregnancy impregnates Fuse with half-dog children]]. While a distraught Fuse works to dispel the curse, her former suitor Kanamari Daisuke shoots Yatsufusa dead, accidentally killing Fuse in the process. As she dies, the spirits of her eight unborn "pups" emerge from her body as mist, snaring her crystal prayer beads and then scattering to the winds to be born in different families.

''Hakkenden'' has received many, ''many'' adaptations over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, from the stage to the cinema and TV. These include the films ''Film/LegendOfTheEightSamurai'' and ''Film/MessageFromSpace'', as well as the manga ''Manga/HakkendenTouhouHakkenIbun''. Fuse, the Canine Warriors and their orbs also make a prominent appearance in the videogame ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}''.

Needs WikiMagic.

* {{Youkai}}: A number of classical youkai appear in the tale, including villainous {{tanuki}} and {{bakeneko|AndNekomata}}, and a benevolent {{kitsune}}.

* DismantledMacGuffin: The eight large beads from Fuse's necklace are divided between each of the Canine Warriors, while [[OneHundredAndEight the remaining 100 small ones]] are restrung and carried by Chuudai.

Sixteen years later, Daisuke (now a monk named Chuudai) sets out to find Fuse's lost children and assemble them under one roof as the "Eight Canine Warriors". Each bears [[ThemeNaming the character 犬 (dog) in their name]], one of [[MineralMacGuffin the crystal orbs from Fuse's necklace (each marked with one of the Eight Confucian Virtues)]], and [[BirthmarkOfDestiny one of Yatsufusa's peony-shaped birthmarks somewhere on their body]]. In order of appearance, they consist of:

His territory under siege, Lord Satomi promises the hand of his daughter [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Fusehime/Princess Fuse]] to anyone who brings him the head of the enemy commander... and finds himself regretting that decision when the contest is won by Yatsufusa, his ''dog''. Controlled by the DyingCurse of an old enemy, Yatsufusa then [[MysticalPregnancy impregnates Fuse with half-dog children]]. While a distraught Fuse works to dispel the curse, her former suitor Kanamari Daisuke shoots Yatsufusa dead, accidentally killing Fuse in the process. As she dies, the spirits of her eight unborn "pups" emerge from her body as mist, snaring her crystal prayer beads and then scattering to the winds to be born in different families.

''Nansou Satomi Hakkenden'' ("The Tale of the Eight Dogs of Nansou's Satomi Clan"), also known simply as ''Hakkenden'' ("The Tale of Eight Dogs"), is a Japanese epic novel by Kyokutei Bakin (also famous for his translation of the Chinese classic ''Literature/WaterMargin''). Serialised from 1814 to 1842, it consists of 98 installments published over 106 volumes.

* DismantledMacGuffin: The eight large beads from Fuse's necklace are divided between each of the Canine Warriors, while [[{{108}} the remaining 100 small ones]] are restrung and carried by Chuudai.

His territory under siege, Lord Satomi promises the hand of his daughter [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Fusehime/Princess Fuse]] to anyone who brings him the head of the enemy commander... and finds himself regretting that decision when the contest is won by Yatsufasa, his ''dog''. Controlled by the DyingCurse of an old enemy, Yatsufasa then [[MysticalPregnancy impregnates Fuse with half-dog children]]. While a distraught Fuse works to dispel the curse, her former suitor Kanamari Daisuke shoots Yatsufasa dead, accidentally killing Fuse in the process. As she dies, the spirits of her eight unborn "pups" emerge from her body as mist, snaring her crystal prayer beads and then scattering to the winds to be born in different families.

Sixteen years later, Daisuke (now a monk named Chuudai) sets out to find Fuse's lost children and assemble them under one roof as the "Eight Canine Warriors". Each bears [[ThemeNaming the character 犬 (dog) in their name]], one of [[MineralMacGuffin the crystal orbs from Fuse's necklace (each marked with one of the Eight Confucian Virtues)]], and [[BirthmarkOfDestiny one of Yatsufasa's peony-shaped birthmarks somewhere on their body]]. In order of appearance, they consist of:

* BirthmarkOfDestiny: The eight peony-shaped spots on Yatsufasa's body are divided up between his eight children.

* DismantledMacGuffin: The eight large beads from Fuse's necklace are divided between each of the Canine Warriors.
* DyingCurse: After he deposes the treachorous Sadakane, Lord Satomi initially plans to spare his wife and partner-in-crime Tamazusa, but on Kanamari Hachirou's advice changes his decision and has her executed. With her dying breath she curses the Kanamari family to die out, and the Satomi to "fall to the level of dogs". This results in her lingering grudge inhabiting the dog Yatsufasa, kicking off the main story.

** Yatsufasa means "Eight Spots", one of which is inherited by each of his children.

* NearlyNormalAnimal: Yatsufasa is significantly more intelligent than the average dog, which is attributed to him losing his mother and being raised by {{tanuki}}.

* SpiritAdvisor: The deceased Fuse appears to her children in spirit form at multiple points in the story, with Yatsufasa in tow.
* StandardHeroReward: How Yatsufasa becomes Fuse's husband. Though depending on the version of the story, Lord Satomi promised this to Yatsufasa as a ''joke'', never expecting he'd be forced to uphold it.
* SuicidePact: Before they were killed by Daisuke, Fuse and Yatsufasa had planned to commit suicide together by jumping into a river.

* TragicVillain: Yatsufasa's villainous behaviour is the result of Tamazusa's spirit, and he's a genuinely good dog once Fuse helps free him from her influence.

* CurseThatCures: The man who gives a young Fuse her prayer beads explains that he ''could'' simply remove her curse, but that fate is a complicated thing where good and evil are hopelessly entwined, and that as long as they remain virtuous the curse's attempt to destroy her family can ultimately raise them to further greatness.

Sixteen years later, Daisuke (now a monk named Chuudai) sets out to find Fuse's lost children and assemble them under one roof as the "Eight Canine Warriors". Each bears [[ThemeNaming the character 犬 (dog) in their name]], one of [[MineralMacGuffin the crystal orbs from Fuse's necklace]] (each marked with one of the Eight Confucian Virtues), and one of Yatsufasa's peony-shaped birthmarks somewhere on their body. In order of appearance, they consist of:

His territory under siege, Lord Satomi promises the hand of his daughter [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Fusehime/Princess Fuse]] to anyone who brings him the head of the enemy commander... and finds himself regretting that decision when the contest is won by Yatsufasa, his ''dog''. Controlled by the DyingCurse of an old enemy, Yatsufasa then [[MysticalPregnancy impregnates Fuse with half-dog children]]. While a distraught Fuse works to dispel the curse, her former suitor Kanamari shoots Yatsufasa dead, accidentally killing Fuse in the process. As she dies, the spirits of her eight unborn "pups" emerge from her body as mist, snaring her crystal prayer beads and then scattering to the winds to be born in different families.

Sixteen years later, Kanamari (now a monk) sets out to find Fuse's lost children and assemble them under one roof as the "Eight Canine Warriors". Each bears the character 犬 (dog) in their name, one of the crystal orbs from Fuse's necklace (each now marked with one of the Eight Confucian Virtues), and one of Yatsufasa's peony-shaped birthmarks somewhere on their body. In order of appearance, they consist of:

* BehindEveryGreatMan: Lord Jin'yo is a drunkard heavily dependent on the advice of his favorite concubine Tamazusa. She takes advantage of this to hand out favours to those who please her, and eventually marries EvilChancellor Sadakane after the two plot together to have him assassinated.

* DyingCurse: After he deposed the treachorous Sadakane, Lord Satomi initially spared his wife and partner-in-crime Tamazusa, but later went back on his word and had her executed. With her dying breath she cursed the Satomi to "fall to the level of dogs", with her lingering grudge eventually inhabiting Yatsufasa and kicking off the main story.

* MeaningfulName: Yatsufasa means "Eight Spots", one of which is inherited by each of his children.
* MineralMacGuffin: The orbs carried by each of the Canine Warriors, some of which were originally inside their bodies and emerged later in life. While holding them, the Warriors gain a HealingFactor and can sense each others' presence.

* OldBeggarTest: Kanamari makes his entrance to the story as a hideous beggar covered in scabs, only revealing his identity to Satomi Yoshizane once he's sure he's someone he can count on.

* SnipeHunt: In the prologue, when a dispossessed Satomi Yoshizane offers to join the Maro and Anzai families in their fight against Sadakane, they try to get rid of him by ordering him to fish up a big carp (supposedly so they can present it as an offering to Hachiman before they march to war). Naturally, the area contains no carp. However, while fishing he is spotted by Kanamari Hachirou, who introduces himself as an enemy of Sadakane and provides the Satomi with the means to defeat him by themselves.

* SuicidePact: Before they were killed by Kanamari, Fuse and Yatsufasa had planned to commit suicide together by jumping into a river.

* TrojanPrisoner: In the prologue Kanamari defeats Shietage Kokurou, the first of Sadakane's lieutenants, by having a group of peasants pretend to tie him up, then walk up to the gate presenting him for judgement.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: In the prologue, Lord Satomi and his retainers witness a white dragon as it rises from the ocean to the heavens. While they discuss what good omens this might bring, he makes an off-hand comment that even though dragons are divine beings, they can still succumb to earthly desires, in particular citing the various {{Hybrid Monster}}s that exist because of their habit of mating with beasts.

* TragicVillain: Yatsufasa's villainous behaviour is the result of Tamazusa's spirit, and he's a genuinely good dog once Fuse helps free him from her influence.

* EvilChancellor: Yamashita Sakuza'emon Sadakane to Lord Jin'yo in the prologue. He eventually has him assassinated and seizes the throne.

Sixteen years later, Kanamari sets out to find Fuse's lost children and assemble them under one roof as the "Eight Canine Warriors". Each bears the character 犬 (dog) in their name, one of the crystal orbs from Fuse's necklace (each now marked with one of the Eight Confucian Virtues), and one of Yatsufasa's peony-shaped birthmarks somewhere on their body. In order of appearance, they consist of:

* '''Inumura Daikaku:''' Bears the orb of 礼 (Reciprocity), and his peony mark is on the left of his chest. A lover of books.

* DyingCurse: After he deposed the corrupt Lord Azai, Lord Satomi initially spared his wife Tamazusa, but later went back on his word and had her executed. With her dying breath she cursed the Satomi to "fall to the level of dogs", with her lingering grudge eventually inhabiting Yatsufasa and kicking off the main story.

Lord Satomi has promised the hand of his daughter [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Fusehime/Princess Fuse]] to anyone who brings him the head of his hated enemy... and finds himself regretting that decision when the contest is won by Yatsufasa, his ''dog''. Controlled by the DyingCurse of an old enemy, Yatsufasa then [[MysticalPregnancy impregnates Fuse with half-dog children]]. While a distraught Fuse works to dispel the curse, her former suitor Kanamari shoots Yatsufasa dead, accidentally killing Fuse in the process. As she dies, the spirits of her eight unborn "pups" emerge from her body as mist, snaring her crystal prayer beads and then scattering to the winds to be born in different families.

''Hakkenden'' has received many, ''many'' adaptations over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, from the stage to the cinema and TV. These include the film ''Film/LegendOfTheEightSamurai'' and the manga ''Manga/HakkendenTouhouHakkenIbun''. Fuse, the Canine Warriors and their orbs also make a prominent appearance in the videogame ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}''.

Sixteen years later, Kanamari sets out to find Fuse's lost children and assemble them under one roof as the "Eight Canine Swordsmen". Each bears the character 犬 (dog) in their name, one of the crystal orbs from Fuse's necklace (each now marked with one of the Eight Confucian Virtues), and one of Yatsufasa's peony-shaped birthmarks somewhere on their body. In order of appearance, they consist of:

''Hakkenden'' has received many, ''many'' adaptations over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, from the stage to the cinema and TV. These include the film ''Film/LegendOfTheEightSamurai'' and the manga ''Manga/HakkendenTouhouHakkenIbun''. Fuse, the Canine Swordsmen and their orbs also make a prominent appearance in the videogame ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}''.

* DismantledMacGuffin: The eight large beads from Fuse's necklace are divided between each of the Canine Swordsmen.

* EmbodimentOfVirtue: Each of the Canine Swordsmen is themed after one of the eight Confucian virtues.

* MineralMacGuffin: The orbs carried by each of the Canine Swordsmen, some of which were originally inside their bodies and emerged later in life. While holding them, the Swordsmen gain a HealingFactor and can sense each others' presence.

* ThemeNaming: Each of the Canine Swordsmen has "Inu" (dog) in their name.

* EmbodimentOfVirtue: Each of the Canine Swordsmen is themed afer one of the eight Confucian virtues.

''Nansou Satomi Hakkenden'', also known simply as ''Hakkenden'' ("The Tale of Eight Dogs"), is a Japanese epic novel written by Kyokutei Bakin (also famous for his translation of the Chinese classic ''Literature/WaterMargin''). Serialised from 1814 to 1842, it consists of 98 installments published over 106 volumes.

The lord of the Satomi province promises the hand of his daughter [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Fusehime/Princess Fuse]] to anyone who brings him the head of his hated enemy... and finds himself regretting that decision when the contest is won by Yatsufasa, his ''dog''. When Fuse learns that [[MysticalPregnancy she has somehow become pregnant with half-dog children]], a horrified retainer named Kanamari shoots Yatsufasa dead, accidentally killing Fuse in the process. As she dies, the spirits of her eight unborn "pups" emerge from her body as mist, snaring her crystal prayer beads and then scattering to the winds to be born in different families.

* ThemeNaming: Each of the Canine Swordsmen has "Inu" (dog) in their name.

The lord of the Satomi province promises the hand of his daughter [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Fusehime/Princess Fuse]] to anyone who brings him the head of his hated enemy... and finds himself regretting that decision when the contest is won by Yatsufasa, his ''dog''. However, when the time comes for Fuse's "pups" to be born, only mist emerges from her body, snaring her crystal prayer beads and then scattering to the winds. Her children are born to eight different families, each bearing the character 犬 (dog) in their name, a crystal orb (now marked with one of the Eight Confucian Virtues), and Yatsufasa's peony-shaped birthmark somewhere on their body.

Sixteen years later, a Satomi retainer sets out to find these "Eight Canine Swordsmen" and assemble them under one roof. In order of appearance, they consist of:
* '''Inuzuka Shino:''' Bears the orb of 孝 (Filial Piety), and his peony mark is on his left arm. Acts as TheProtagonist for the first half of the story. Wields the [[AncestralWeapon heirloom sword]] Murasame-maru, which [[MakingASplash controls water and rain]].

* JidaiGeki: The story is set in the Sengoku era.