We won't find freedom if we simply run. We must fight from inside the cage. If we don't smash through this cage, we'll never obtain true freedom.
Hinowa
Hinowa (日輪), also known as The Sun of Yoshiwara (吉原の太陽), and Yoshiwara Paradise's (吉原桃源郷) is the highest ranking courtesan and de facto leader of Yoshiwara.
She was sold by her parents to Housen when she was a child. Much to Housen's surprise, she was persistent in getting Housen to enjoy the sun more. Because of her cheerful personality, she was popular with clients and other courtesans.
At some point she met the child Tsukuyo who had been sold to Yoshiwara and gave her the strength to keep living. Hinowa gave her riceballs when she was beaten as a punishment. After Hinowa was beaten as well Tsukuyo gave Hinowa the rice balls instead. Hinowa asked her to feed them to her since she was tied up and the two grew closer.[1]
She tried to escape from Yoshiwara with Seita but was caught by Housen and the Hyakka while she was on the surface. Before being captured, she handed Seita to an old man who Housen threatened to kill if Hinowa did not go back. After Hinowa's submission, Housen severed her Achilles' tendons making it impossible for Hinowa to walk or even stand up, to stop her from leaving Yoshiwara ever again.
Appearance[]
She has black hair and blue eyes. They say her eyes are so sharp that it reminds one of sunlight. Her face is very beautiful. Her ankles have rough x-shaped scares on the back. After the freedom of Yoshiwara she uses a wheelchair. After the 2 year time skip in the Silver Soul arc she is seen walking with a cane and wearing her hair more loosely.
She is the sun of the eternal night of Yoshiwara, where the women are treated as inmates in a prison, but only her eyes show no signs of weariness, vulgarity or worry. Even though she's stuck underground, her soul remains unbroken. She will never lose her true beauty. All the women of Yoshiwara have great respect for her, and all the men love her, even though she's beyond their reach, as stated by Hosen in Episode 139. However, she has a strong fierce spirit and selflessness as seen how to protect Tsukuyo she fought a catfight with the head courtesan and risked being in trouble for her.
Hinowa believed that even if one is imprisoned physically they should not allow themselves to be imprisoned mentally and continue to fight for freedom in their heart and mind. She used this philosophy to stay strong in the face of the abuse she faced under Housen.
Seita refers to Hinowa as his mother, even though they are not related by blood, because she cared for and protected him after he was born. Seita lives with her in Yoshiwara.
Friends & Allies[]
Tsukuyo: Having grown up under Hinowa for years, Tsukuyo had become attached and loyal to her. Tsukuyo also seems to look up to Hinowa for hope in the dark and underground world of Yoshiwara, to a point where she referred to Hinowa as "The Sun of Yoshiwara". Hinowa cares deeply for Tsukuyo and wants very much for her to be happy. As such, after the liberation of Yoshiwara she tries to encourage her to have fun and rely on others more.
Sakata Gintoki: Since he defeated the Night King, Hinowa started to respect Gintoki as a saviour of Yoshiwara. She seems to notice his influence on Tsukuyo and often asks him to keep company for her like in Episode 181 where she made her "spend the night" with Gintoki. She often entrusts him with many tasks, like teaching Seita. She has pointed out a few times that Tsukuyo was in love with Gintoki.
Enemies[]
Housen: Housen abused Hinowa for years and even took away her ability to walk. Hinowa hates him but also pities him. She refused to have her spirit broken by him knowing that he wanted her to give up. When she was a child she tried to get close to him, drawing him a picture of the sun but he tore it up. In his last moments she laid his head on her lap, showing once again how she had survived and overcome his cruelty and remained a kind person.
Seita goes to visit Yoshiwara with Gintoki but Hinowa ignores him. When Kamui brings Seita to where she is being held she tells him to go away, but Seita doesn't believe she really means that. Housen reveals that Hinowa isn't his birth mother, but Seita proclaims that blood doesn't matter and she's still his mom. He enters the room and embraces Hinowa. He tries to get her to escape with him but she refuses to move. Seita realizes something is wrong and uncovers her scarred ankles. He carries her on his back out of the room. The other members of the Hyakka arrive and take over carrying Hinowa. Hinowa tells Shinpachi and Kagura about opening the roof of Yoshiwara to expose Housen to the sun. After Housen is defeated she lays his head in her lap in his last moments.
After the Yoshiwara arc, she is alive and well, living with Seita and Tsukuyo in Yoshiwara and using a wheelchair.
Hinowa tells Shinpachi and Kagura about Tsukuyo's past with Jiraia. Zenzou protects her from and attack and asks her to hire him which she does. After Jiraia is killed Hinowa tries to get Tsukuyo to relax which results in her gettingf drunk and dragging Hinowa in to party.
Hinow introduces the Yorozuya to Suzuran. Hinowa explains the lover's pact and tells the group about Suzuran's past. After Sada Sada's defeat Hinowa and Tsukuyo learn that the sickly Suzuran won't make it past the night. Suzuran asks Hinowa to put on her make up and the two women help her dress up to meet Maizou one last time.
Hinowa helps Tsukuyo and the Yorozuya come up with a plan to deal with the illegal sale of the love incense. She is confused by Tsukuyo's strange behavior not knowing she was affected by the incense.
Hinowa is seen with the gender swapped Tsukuyo, still in control of the nightlife in Edo and observing the genderbent Shinsengumi's new business as sex workers. Hinowa was surprised by how much more confident Tsukuyo acted as a man.
Seita begs Gintoki to tutor him in history and Gintoki and Tsukuyo ends up teaching Seita a fantastical version of history that doesn't exist. Hinowa, displeased by this, sets them straight while playing along telling Seita that the world they taught him about was destroyed, warning the two to start over.
Hinowa has been making lunches for Seita at temple school that are too extravagent for him to eat around his classmates. Tsukuyo points this out to Hinowa and Tuskuyo, Otae, Sarutobi, Kyuubei, and Kagura all attempt to help give Seita a normal lunch but only cause more problems causing Seita to be shunned at school. Seita ends up yelling at Hinowa and throwing a lunch she made and storming out. After speaking to Izumi he learns to appreciate Hinowa's effort and shares the giant lunch she made with his classmates.
