Matahachi Honiden

Matahachi Hon'iden is the friend who, at 17, fought on the losing side with Takezō Shinmen and lay wounded with him on the battlefield, hunted by survivors. Their paths then separate: Takezō becomes a wandering swordsman, while Matahachi stays with women. His mother, Osugi Hon'iden, blames Takezō because the Hon'iden family's heir is missing. Later Matahachi grows jealous of Musashi's success and his bond with Otsū, and becomes known by stealing the name of the swordsman Kojirō Sasaki, though he also rescues Musashi at one point.