Ina

Ina or Inahime (稲姫) is one of the proposed childhood names of Komatsuhime, who is Tadakatsu Honda's eldest child and daughter. She is Nobuyuki Sanada's wife and Yukimura's sister-in-law. In folklore, she is famous for allegedly defying her father-in-law's entry at Numata Castle.

Samurai Warriors fans voted her to tenth place in Gamecity's Sengoku Musou 3: Empires character popularity poll. For the Samurai Warriors 4 poll, she placed twenty-seventh.

In Kessen III, she can be unlocked as a bonus character if the players have a Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legend data file on their memory card.

Role in Games
"How can you handle that enormous bow so skillfully?"
 * Taishi Ci; Warriors Orochi

Samurai Warriors
New to the battlefront, Ina starts her story with her goal of realizing what it means to be a warrior. She initially believes that war must only be waged so peace may blossom. Mentored by her father while they help their lord and Hideyoshi escape Kanegasaki, she continues to defend Ieyasu at Mikatagahara. Here she encounters Kunoichi, who taunts that Ina likes the sight of carnage as well. After she defends Ieyasu from the shinobi's assassination attempt, she is shaken by the younger one's words and ponders their meaning based on her past experiences. Years later, Ieyasu is chased by Mitsuhide's army at Iga. Ina is personally charged with protecting Baisetsu Anayama though Ieyasu also wants all of his officers to safely escape as well.

If too many lives are lost during their flight, Ina resorts to brutal measures and slays all who oppose her lord's passage. The repercussions of her boldness has Ieyasu unable to flee, and he is forced to rest his tired troops north at Yamazaki. They are quickly surrounded by Mitsuhide's army, Magoichi's rifle brigade, and later Hideyoshi's troops. Apologizing for her neglect and regretting her actions, she swears to try to mimic her father's focus and regains the will to fight. As their lord declares himself the greatest man in the land, Hideyoshi challenges him for the right at Osaka Castle. In the aftermath, Ina realizes that every life is precious and desires to live her life as she please to make amends for her actions.

An Ina who stays true to her duty at Iga has the army flee successfully. Although Hideyoshi gains an upper hand over Ieyasu by avenging Nobunaga, she joins Ieyasu in defying his vision of peace by partaking in their decisive battle at Komaki-Nagakute. Ina only fights so that she will no longer have any last regrets for the new age of serenity and lays down her arms upon the battle's conclusion. Time passes and Hideyoshi's death sparks a new form of rebellion in the land. Though married and with child, Ina raises her bow a final time to defy the wishes of her scheming father-in-law, Masayuki Sanada. During the defense of Ueda Castle, she makes peace with Kunoichi and they enjoy a harmonious life together.

In Samurai Warriors 2, she is an experienced warrior who joins the siege at Odawara Castle. She believes that she must work hard to be remembered in history. Afterwards, Ieyasu is awarded the Kantō region but the nearby villages are plagued by bandits who don't know of Ieyasu's reputation. After Ina suppresses them, she plays second fiddle to Ieyasu's campaigns by assisting the front at Kusegawa and Sekigahara. Believing that ridding the Toyotomi family is the only option for unity, she assists the front at Osaka Castle. Ieyasu personally thanks her, but she notes that their victory is one for everyone.

Her dream stage is her historical act of stopping Masayuki at Numata Castle. During the time of Sekigahara, her husband fights for the east and her relatives fight for the west. Wanting to take the castle for himself, Masayuki pays a visit to Numata Castle, feigning that he wants to see his grandson. Ina sees through the ploy and raises the call for defense.

Samurai Warriors 3 has her start on the losing side of Mikatagahara. During their retreat, she encounters Yukimura and volunteers to stop him to clear a path for her lord. Although Ieyasu mourns for those who sacrificed themselves for his safety, they are able to safely escape from Shingen's army. Years later, Ieyasu gains more control of the central part of the land and Ina joins him in his first siege to take Ueda Castle. Able to obtain victory, she is impressed by the Sanada family's integrity and pleads for her lord to spare them. Ieyasu agrees and has her married to Nobuyuki to ensure a political alliance between both families. As a member of the Sanada family, she assists the siege at Odawara Castle. Yukimura worries for her safety, but she proves that she is capable of defending herself. With the land united under Hideyoshi upon their victory, she asks her younger brother-in-law to protect the new age of peace with her.

When Mitsunari defies Ieyasu's leadership, Ina stays behind at Numata Castle. She senses Masayuki and Yukimura's approach, defying their entrance to the castle. Moments after her victory, a soldier reports that Ieyasu has won the battle at Sekigahara. With Ieyasu as the shogun and to protect the life of a true warrior, Tadakatsu begs pardon for Yukimura's life to their lord. Ina and her father believe that Yukimura deserves the right to shape his own future as a fellow warrior and Ieyasu agrees to spare his life. He sends the youth into exile, but he eventually joins the Toyotomi family in resisting Ieyasu's reign. Only concentrating on what lies in front of her, Ina supports Ieyasu and faces his enemies. She tearfully tries to stop her brother-in-law from marching to his death. Yukimura, striving to prove himself to the end, bids farewell to her after his defeat. Although his fate is unknown, she believes that he is still alive somewhere and swears to protect the Sanada family for his return.

Ina unquestionably fights for Ieyasu's conquests throughout Samurai Warriors 4's main narrative, wishing to fulfill her family's duties to their lord. After her marriage to Nobuyuki from the first Ueda Castle conflict, she proudly fights as his wife at Oshi Castle, Ueda Castle, and Osaka Castle. At first, she does so to honor their political alliance. Ina becomes familiar with Nobuyuki's valor as they fight as allies, intimately becoming attached to his character.

When the Sanada siblings part ways, Ina implores her husband to leave her at once and reunite with Yukimura; she doesn't want their marriage to hinder what she thinks are his true loyalties. Nobuyuki asserts his belief in Ieyasu's dream in an attempt to console her, yet Ina feels he is forcing himself. She joins Nobuyuki's request to spare the younger brother to Ieyasu yet is morose when Yukimura escapes his exile. Sensing that her husband will never voice his true feelings aloud, Ina pleads on his behalf for the younger brother to surrender at Ueda Castle and Osaka Castle. Her life is endangered by Yukimura during the final conflict, yet she is saved by Nobuyuki's intervention. Ina survives to be by her mourning husband's side in the new era of serenity.

Warriors Orochi
During Orochi's scenario, Ina is one of the generals who tries to defend her lord at Edo Castle. She bravely leads a surprise attack on Orochi's main camp but is defeated by the serpent army. Ina, who wants to save her allies, submits to the Serpent King's army afterwards.

In Warriors Orochi, Ina befriends Sun Shang Xiang during their forced servitude, as the two are frequently joined together for missions. When she confronts Sun Ce about his bungled attempt to rescue Sun Jian, she is surprised when he asks about his sister's welfare. After testing his sincerity in battle, she defects to the resistance and convinces her friend to do the same once the battle ends. She also appears as one of the reinforcements at Osaka Bay called in by Lu Meng in order to fight Keiji Maeda.

During the sequel, she and Xing Cai lead a reconnaissance mission for their respective lords. They spot and rescue Mitsuhide and his daughter from being taken away to Kiyomori by Sun Wukong. Though they fight and beat the Monkey King, he escapes capture. She shares her dream stage with two other famous archers, Huang Zhong and Xiahou Yuan, to prove their worth over firearms.

Ina once stood beside her father in Warriors Orochi 3. After they were attacked by the serpent forces, however, they became separated from one another. Determined to resist the serpent army to the end, Ina trains at various places within the dimensional world. Rumors inspired by her appearance describe a beautiful princess in the battlefield, which intrigues Guo Jia and his party to look for her. Upon arriving there, however, they find out that Ina is nowhere to be seen, already held captive by the Demon Army. Guo Jia, along with Xingcai and Guo Huai, penetrates through the ranks of the Demon Army to rescue her. Pleased to be reunited with her father and her friend, Xingcai, Ina thanks her saviors and volunteers her services for the coalition.

In the downloadable stage, "Virtue's Burden", Ina helps Joan, Ieyasu and Liu Bei in rescuing peasants and fighting Dong Zhuo with Nobunaga.

During Ultimate, Ina accompanies Xingcai and Guan Ping to confront the Oda at Honnōji upon hearing of their supposed alliance with Da Ji from Jiang Wei. After subduing Nobunaga, the real Jiang Wei arrives to clear up the misunderstanding which convinces both armies to work together in finding the culprit behind this farce.

Pokémon Conquest
She continues to help her father and her lord in Pokémon Conquest's main story. Ina is the one who demonstrates Fukutsu Castle's battlefield gimmick, as she walks on a large gear to open the path for Ieyasu. She accompanies her father after they suffer defeat to the protagonist.

Development
Ina's second design follows the wishes of creating an archer design for her character. Designers wanted to keep Tadakatsu's iconic beads for her but wanted to make her design easier to move in than her debut appearance. Her fourth outfit sought to make her look more feminine than previous entries with more floral accessories and prints. The designer struggled to depart from her previous image as a "battle heroine". Katsuki Onda drew her concepts for this title.

Personality
Ina is a filial daughter who is proud of her father and family. Despite her high-class uprising, she is eager to prove her own worth as a warrior and defend her father's image with her archery. While obedient to her father's wishes, she is independent enough to act upon her own volition when she feels the need arises. Caring greatly for duty to her lord and honor, she values righteous morals and upright principles. Therefore, she has an innate need to punish any who she believes to be morally unjust, which is emphasized as she appears in more titles. When she is not on the battlefield, she is a gentle and noble maiden of elegance. Since most people that she encounters only know her in battle, she is generally known as an old-fashioned traditionalist by people who don't know her.

Though they rarely interact with one another in older titles, she is implied to love her husband, Nobuyuki, and respects his wishes. When they face one another as enemies, she is immediately impressed by his integrity. She initially shows the playable Nobuyuki limited respect due to their opposing ties to one another. Yet her reservations against him quickly fades once she becomes aware of his brave and caring character; she is embarrassed whenever she openly admits her infatuation for him. Ina wishes to grant him emotional support once her affections towards him blossoms. Their marriage makes her the older sister-in-law to Yukimura, who humbly addresses her as his "older sister" or "My lady". They are in respectful awe with one another's loyalty to their masters and neither dislike the other for their duties. While their respect for one another is minor in most titles, their relationship is in the spotlight for their third appearance. The Japanese script emphasizes that her exuberance and innocent nature are charming and inspirational to Yukimura in battle. In the English version, it's instead her headstrong warrior spirit.

During her debut, she shares a minor rivalry with Kunoichi, who calls her "Ina-chin" in the Japanese script. Ina denies that she has blood lust and struggles throughout her story to find her answer to counter the shinobi's jeers. Depending on the ending, she slays her enemy or genuinely befriends her. Their rivalry is downplayed in the third title, although Kunoichi still calls Ina by her nickname. In the second title, she admires Ginchiyo's stature and desires to one day be more like her.

Character Symbolism
She's symbolized by the kanji "purity" (純) and "refreshing" (爽) and white flower petals in the Samurai Warriors series. During her story in the third game, the carnation is emphasized in her movies. Within the flower language, it may represent charity, bravery, and boldness. Due to the flower being associated with a beloved young girl dying well before her time, the flower may also mean pure love, longing, or innocence. It's the same flower used to decorate her heirloom in the fourth Samurai Warriors title.

Ina's titles in Samurai Warriors 2 are "Bow Maiden", "Great Archer", "Arrow Mistress", "Dangerous Lady", "Graceful Fighter", "Bow Goddess", and "Tadakatsu's Pride" (in the Xtreme Legends expansion).

Her second longbow for both her appearances is named after wood it is carved from, the azusa tree (Japanese Cherry Birch tree). Bows crafted from this particular wood are for ones reserved for a religious nature, either for festivals or for priestesses. Her third weapon during her debut is named after the same prefecture known for peerless bows during the Nanbokuchō period (Miyazaki).

Ina's third longbow -fourth weapon in her debut- is a reference to Nasu no Yoichi, an archer famously mentioned in Tales of the Heike. After the successful invasion of Yashima, the Heike stranded in the sea decided to issue a challenge to their Genji oppressors. They did so by letting a single woman hold a tall pole; on top of this pole was a single fan. The dare was a silent brag about the safety of the Heike's position and was meant to intimidate the Genji. Yoshitsune ordered for an archer to shoot the fan down, eventually being recommended a young Nasu no Munetaka. He doubted whether Munetaka could make the shot, but the young man swore on his life that he would. If he failed, he would gladly accept his own death as punishment. Allowing the brave youth to stay true to his word, Munetaka mounted on a horse and rode a few steps off the shoreline. Drawing back a single arrow, it flew from his bow and hit the fan with dazzling accuracy; it danced and glittered as it flew and glided into the waves. Munetaka would be immortalized for the lone shot, eventually being dubbed in legends as Nasu no Yoichi. Her weapon adds that Ina uses the same construction and string as his bow. Her Power variations have the same interior while her Speed types use the same paint.

Her fourth weapon -fifth for her debut and Unique in the third- is Ame-no-Makakoyumi, a legendary bow found within Japanese mythology.

Aizen Myooh is originally mentioned in Ina's sixth weapon for her debut. It is the Japanese interpretation of Rāgarāja. According to him, he accepts lust as an unavoidable human instinct. Naturally accepting it is actually a celebration of staying true to Buddhist principles. In other words, Aizen Myooh is widely known as a type of Japanese Cupid. A divine lord of romance, match-making, and marriage, he is often depicted as aiming a divine bow to the sky. Ina's weapon is named after the bow he wields, although it doesn't state the arrows' exact target. As a side note, Aizen Myooh is also known thought to be one of the "love" origins for Kanetsugu's helmet. Her fifth weapon for her second appearance is named as a pure, beautiful bow of love. The bow shares a similar naming scheme as her sixth, but removes Aizen Myooh's affiliation with it. Its shape and appearance are vaguely reminiscent of the bows wielded by cartoon cupids.

Her original personal item in Warriors Orochi is simply "White Headband". An old East Asian belief is to tie a headband around one's forehead as a method of alleviating pain, especially when someone is ill or wounded. Within Japan, there's a belief that the gesture instills someone with courage and determination. Urban legends suggest it's supposed to mirror the conviction of a soldier wearing armor during the Heian Period. In their case, however, a white headband was merely used to help them properly fit helmets on their heads.

Voice Actors

 * Wendee Lee - Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends (English-uncredited)
 * Katie Snetsinger - Samurai Warriors 2 (English)
 * Jessica Straus - Warriors Orochi series, Samurai Warriors 3 (English-uncredited)
 * Makiko Ohmoto - Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi series (Japanese)

Live Action Performer

 * Yuko Mizuno - Sengoku Bushou Matsuri

Quotes

 * See also: Ina/Quotes


 * "To succumb to temptation means defeat."
 * "I am truly happy. To think so many would support one as inexperienced as me is a joy! I shall always proceed forward! To surpass this rank and to go further than before!"
 * "You look a lot better than you did at Sekigahara."
 * "And I have also improved, thanks to you. But more importantly, I've come to understand my true calling."
 * Ina and Musashi; Samurai Warriors 2


 * "How can you dress in such ridiculous clothes? Have you no modesty? No self-respect?"
 * "But... this is what Hideyoshi likes me to wear. Especially when he-"
 * "Stop! Please don't finish that sentence."
 * Ina and Nene; Samurai Warriors 2: Empires


 * "So, it's Muneshige, the Strongest in the West and a rival to Father. But I have one trump card I can use to defeat you: archery!"
 * "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm an expert in archery and swordsmanship."
 * "Oh, then I have nothing to surpass you..."
 * "No, that's not true. Your budding potential is enough to exceed me or Lord Tadakatsu."
 * Ina and Muneshige; Sengoku Musou 3: Empires


 * "You are that lovely maiden... It's been awhile."
 * "How-how dare you! You're trying to bewilder me again..."
 * "I treated you like a flippant woman and was rude to you at Ueda Castle. I have always wanted to apologize for my behavior."
 * "...There is no need. Besides, my father, my lord, and the Sanada have agreed upon my marriage to you."
 * "Is that so? I'm truly happy to hear that."
 * "...You have such a gentle smile..."
 * "Are you ill, Lady Ina? Your face looks red."
 * "!? I-Ignore it! It's your imagination!"
 * Nobuyuki and Ina; 100man-nin no Sengoku Musou


 * "Ina, I'm going ahead. You support the rear!"
 * "I shall do no such thing! I am not cowardly enough to hide behind my allies!"
 * "Oh... Forgive my rudeness, please."
 * Taishi Ci and Ina; Warriors Orochi


 * "This battle's fate is already decided! Please lay down your weapon."
 * "A warrior does not retreat in the face of any obstacle!"
 * Da Qiao and Ina; Warriors Orochi 2


 * "Your father taught you how to use the bow, right? I should have chosen the bow as my weapon, too."
 * "Yes, but like you I often think I should have made a different choice. If I chose the spear I could have been closer to my father."
 * Xiahou Ba and Ina; Warriors Orochi 3

Gameplay

 * See also Ina/Movesets

Samurai Warriors 2
Her horse musou changes to a damaging stampede by her horse, but the rest of her mounted moveset remains the same. Her ground moveset was changed slightly due to her attack type (Special).


 * undefined, (undefined): Shoots several arrows upward and let them plunge down into the enemies. The additional button pressed increase the number of arrows.
 * , undefined, (undefined): Upwards slash with bow. If it hits, Ina crouches and fires three arrows to hit her skyward opponent.
 * ,, undefined, (undefined): Shoots an exploding arrow into the floor in front of her, stunning the enemies, then zig-zaggs forward in an ice-skating fashion three times before a spinning slash backward.
 * ,, , undefined, (undefined): Three spin-slashes, followed by two air waves forward. Width of air waves are larger than previous title.
 * ,, , , undefined:(Xtreme Legends only) Back flips and fires three arrows as she crouches. Automatically enables her R1 + undefined ability.
 * Stands upright as she rapidly fires a chain of arrows tinged with a blue aura of energy. The arrows have a wider range of attack than before, but Ina takes more time to pivot than before. Her Level 3 version has her fire her arrows at a quicker rate.
 * R1 + : Fire multiple arrows at once.
 * R1 + undefined: Elements applied to every attack.
 * Personal Skill : (Pierce) Indirect attacks damage enemies.

Mounted Moveset

 * , undefined: Lifting swing to the left. Lifts enemies.
 * ,, undefined: Downwards chop to the left. Breaks through defenses and/or stuns.
 * ,, , undefined: Twirling swings with bow to the left.
 * ,, , , , , : Swings bow three times before she finishes by firing five arrows.

Same moveset as Samurai Warriors 2 excluding her C5 and Level 3 Musou. She has two new R1 abilities.
 * Warriors Orochi
 * , : An airdash that makes her temporarily invincible. Ina rolls forward.
 * R1: Jumps and sends three air waves downward.
 * direction + R1: Shoots several arrows in a fan-shaped patterm.


 * Warriors Orochi 2
 * Triple Attack 1: Produces a stream of wind by performing a spinning leap attack.
 * Triple Attack 2: Hurls a mobile shockwave quickly traveling at a certain point.
 * Triple Attack 3: Fires a gas-filled arrow unto the ground.

Samurai Warriors 3

 * (Ultimate/Kaiden): Ina aims her bow skyward, and shoot a great amount of arrows into the sky. They all fall in a large circle in front of her.
 * Spirit Cancel:


 * Warriors Orochi 3
 * R1: Fires multiple arrows upwards from the ground.
 * , R1 (Ultimate only): Shoots several times at different directions before releasing a powerful shot.

Samurai Warriors 4
Mighty strike is the same as Deadlock attack. Her moveset stays relatively the same with the following changes.


 * ,, , , undefined, (undefined):
 * Finisher changes to her crouching to fire multiple arrows in front of her.
 * (Ultimate/Kaidan):
 * Rage Attack/Musou Gokui effect: Activates Ultimate/Kaidan Musou if is used. Performs ending pose for previous  if the effect ends without activating Ultimate/Kaidan Musou.
 * Awakened Skill effect (4-II only):

Hyper Moveset

 * undefined:
 * undefined, :
 * undefined, undefined, :
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, :
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, :
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, :
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined:

Samurai Warriors
Ina is arguably the first purely archer type character to effectively be given access to her bow as a primary means of combat. Prior to her, most archer types had a secondary weapon that was used in close range. Her combative style has moderate range and speed, but her attack moves when actually firing her bow are weak and slow compared to her melee attacks, but her special attacks tend to have high power, range, and can hit enemies far outside of melee.

Weapons

 * See also: Ina/Weapons

Rare Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Battle of Oshi Castle (Legend of the Sanada)

Historical Information
Komatsuhime was born in the year 1573 as the daughter of Honda Tadakatsu. She was adopted by Tokugawa Ieyasu though some records believe that she was actually Ieyasu's child. Her childhood name was Inahime and Onei. She was praised as a beautiful and intelligent woman.

After witnessing the Sanada's wise strategies at the Battle of Ueda, she and her father were captivated by them. Tokugawa Ieyasu himself arranged for Komatsuhime to marry Sanada Nobuyuki, the Sanada lord. She was 17 and he was 25 at the time. A popular story says that Ieyasu brought Komatsuhime in a room of suitors to let her choose her husband. The men were turned with their backs to her so she couldn't see their faces. Despite facing rows of topknots, she found Nobuyuki very quickly due to her infatuation with him. Nobuyuki praised her as a good wife and wise mother (ryōsai kenbo 良妻賢母). It was partially due to his marriage that he aligned himself with the Eastern Army at the Battle of Sekigahara.

In 1600, before Sekigahara, Sanada Masayuki was en route to visit Nobuyuki at Ueda Castle, accompanied by his other son, Sanada Yukimura. The two stopped at Numata Castle, where Komatsuhime was managing affairs. Masayuki relayed a message to her: "I want to see my grandchildren," and in response, the princess emerged, dressed in full battle attire, saying "Since we have parted ways in this conflict, though you are my father-in-law I cannot allow you into this castle." Some accounts report that she fired a warning shot from her bow when Masayuki and his men tried to march closer. Masayuki and Yukimura withdrew to a temple, Shōkaku-ji, and were surprised when they saw Komatsuhime (with her children) arrive soon after them, honoring Masayuki's wish. After the incident, Masayuki reportedly said, "That's Honda Tadakatsu's daughter for you. A fine maiden who will not falter."

After the Battle of Sekigahara, during Masayuki and Yukimura's exile, she took charge of sending them food and other daily necessities.

She died in the present-day city of Kōnosu in Saitama Prefecture at age 47. She was in the midst of traveling to Kusatsu hot spring with hopes to treat her illness. Nobuyuki lamented her passing, saying that "the light of my house has been extinguished." Her grave can be found there. Today, in the museum at Ueda Castle, visitors can see items that she used, including her palanquin.

Trivia

 * Episode 9 of the TV anime Genshiken Nidaime has one of the characters cosplay as the Samurai Warriors 3 version of Ina.

__NOWYSIWYG__