Sugita Hiroshi

Sugita Hiroshi is the nephew of Sugita Hiroki, senior retainer to the Maruyama Clan. Becoming a devoted follower of Shirakawa Kaede (and, by extension, her husband Otori Takeo) in Brilliance of the Moon, he serves them faithfully during the War of the Otori Succession. In the subsequent years of peace, he spends some time learning the Way of the Huou at Terayama Temple, before assuming his uncle's role as administrator of Maruyama on behalf of his overlord. Despite his initial superstitions about the Tribe, he becomes best friends with Muto Taku, a senior member of the Muto Family; he also acts as one of several tutors for Takeo and Kaede's daughters, who also have Tribe ancestry.

In The Harsh Cry of the Heron, Hiroshi's mutual love for Otori Shigeko (Takeo's eldest daughter and heir) becomes clear. Despite her parents' deep affection for them both, this is complicated by the fact that Shigeko is now of marriable age, and the Otori Clan's legitimacy is being threatened by clans beyond the Three Countries. It is only shortly before the battle against Lord Saga Hideki that Hiroshi and Shigeko finally confess their feelings to each other. Hiroshi is subsequently badly wounded, but Shigeko's actions result in the Otori winning a costly victory, with Takeo initially giving them his blessing. However, subsequent political complications and the treachery of the Arai Clan, result in Takeo's abdication, forcing Shigeko to reluctantly put aside her feelings for Hiroshi (with his blessing) in favor of a marriage-alliance with Saga Hideki. Hiroshi subsequently recovers, though it is uncertain if he will be able to walk again.