Housen

Housen is an old man with white hair and a stern face.

He wears a traditional Japanese outfit that makes him look very formal.

He is tall at 183cm and weighs 76kg.

Housen has a proud and strict aura.

He does not easily show his feelings, except during fights.

He is obsessed with Hinowa, seeing her as both his light and his enemy.

He loves and hates the sun, wishing to bathe in its light but also fearing it.

Housen is a Yato, a mighty alien race known for their fighting power.

He was once a top official of the space pirate group Harusame.

He founded and led the 7th Division before Kamui.

He was a teacher and mentor to Kamui.

After retiring from Harusame, he became the master of Yoshiwara Paradise.

He hid there because he could not stand the sunlight, which all Yato dislike but also dream about.

Housen is one of the strongest members of the Yato race.

He once fought Umibouzu, Kamui's father, to a draw after three days and nights of battle.

Even in old age, he could easily overpower Kamui and Abuto.

He fights with a giant umbrella and can defeat many with ease.

His weakness is that he has grown even more sensitive to sunlight due to his long hiding, which greatly weakens him when exposed.

• Kamui: Housen was Kamui’s mentor and previous leader of his division. He was harsh but did have a bond with him.
• Hinowa: Housen is obsessed with Hinowa. He keeps her close but also sees her as the sun he both loves and hates. She is the “light” he cannot have.
• Seita: He knows about Seita’s mother and respects Hinowa’s efforts to protect Seita.
• Umibouzu: They are old rivals and once had a legendary fight. Umibouzu quietly mourned Housen after his death.
• The courtesans of Yoshiwara: Though he ruled them harshly, some, including Hinowa, still felt sorry for him at the end.

"Love and hate, I only know how to show them by fighting."

Yoshiwara in Flames Arc

Housen keeps Hinowa locked underground and is obsessed with her.

He hates the sun but also wants to feel its light.

Hinowa reminds him of the sun, so he does not kill her and keeps her close.

When Seita tries to rescue Hinowa, Gintoki Sakata comes to Yoshiwara and faces Housen.

Housen beats Gintoki badly at first, showing his huge power.

Even when Tsukuyo and the Hyakka help Gintoki, Housen still seems unstoppable.

But Seita opens the hatch to let sunlight in, and the sun’s rays hit Housen.

The sunlight makes him much weaker, and Gintoki finally defeats him with a strong blow.

After his defeat, Kamui talks to Housen about his real self.

Hinowa tells Housen that he is not really the King of the Night, but just an old man who wanted a nap under the sun.

Housen passes away peacefully in Hinowa’s arms.

He is buried by the courtesans in a sunny place, as they hope he can rest in the sunlight in the afterlife.

Rakuyou Decisive Battle Arc

Housen appears in Kamui’s flashback when he was still in Harusame.

Their mentor-student relationship was not warm; Housen beat Kamui down many times but also showed some care.

He even lets Kamui take his mother away on a ship when Kamui finally proves himself.

Umibouzu remembers Housen as a strong rival, and Kamui's power is said to now surpass his.

• The author, Hideaki Sorachi, said he first made Housen as just a ‘dirty old man’ character, but he became more important later.
• Housen’s character is inspired by Frieza and King Vegeta from Dragon Ball.
• He kept a golden stick and two golden balls (and a golden abalone) locked in a safe, clearly as a joke.

• Birthday: August 10
• First person pronoun: “Washi” (Japanese for “I” used by old men)
• Known as the “King of the Night,” which means he was the leader of the Yato, the strongest fighting race.