The Tengu of Ashina

Isshin Ashina	•	The Tengu of Ashina	•	Isshin Ashina (Shura)	•	Isshin, the Sword Saint

Description[]

The Tengu of Ashina (葦名の天狗) is a mysterious warrior who exterminates all the Central Force Agents (or "rats" as he calls them) who dared to enter Ashina.

When first met, he'll jokingly dub Wolf "Sekiro", because of his prosthetic arm, and will ask the shinobi to join him in his "rat extermination", promising to reward him with something that'll help him in battle.

Upon talking with Isshin Ashina in his castle, Wolf will realize he's the man under the Tengu costume.

After Wolf helps the Tengu, he'll be later met in the Great Serpent Shrine, where he'll be willing to gift Sekiro a special reward once he learns a "secret technique".

Location[]

Ashina Castle Gate Fortress: inside the building facing the castle gate.
Great Serpent Shrine: if Wolf has completed his first task, the Tengu will now move here once Genichiro is defeated.

Progression[]

Ashina Outskirts (Ashina Castle Gate Fortress)[]

Enter the fortress and talk with the Tengu to agree to help him hunting "rats" by receiving the Rat Description.

Ashina Outskirts (Ashina Castle Gate)[]

Kill the first Ashina Rifleman and climb the gate to find a Senpou Assassin behind a tree, spying on two other Assassins Wolf can eavesdrop on: kill the Assassin near the tree and report back to the Tengu to receive the Ashina Esoteric Text.

Ashina Castle (Upper Tower - Ashina Dojo)[]

Climb to the roof of the castle to fight Genichiro for a second time.

Ashina Castle (Upper Tower - Kuro's Room)[]

After defeating Genichiro, talk to Kuro until he suggests Wolf to visit Isshin in his room, where he can interrogate him about the Mortal Blade.

Ashina Castle (Great Serpent Shrine)[]

Once Wolf has acquired the final Combat Art of any Skill Tree, the Tengu will give him the Mushin Esoteric Text.

Quest Items[]
	Rat Description (Given at the Ashina Castle Gate Fortress)	Ashina Esoteric Text (Given at the Ashina Castle Gate Fortress)
	Mushin Esoteric Text (Given at the Great Serpent Shrine)

First Encounter	Tengu: Another rat. Ah, but those eyes... a starving wolf. Before I kill you, tell me your name. Tell me your name! No name to give? You shinobi are all the same. You die nameless, with no one to mourn you. However... Your left arm. A prosthetic shinobi arm, it reminds me of... (Bursts out laughing) That's it... a one-armed Wolf. I like it! Which means... Sekiro. This is what I shall name you. Wolf: Who... are you? Tengu: I am the Tengu of Ashina! Come, Sekiro! Care to hunt some rats with me? Wolf: ... What? Tengu: Rats have snuck into Ashina. Scurrying about like they own the place. There are all kinds of rats out there... And they must be cut down. Every last one of them! It seems you have a talent for killing. Allow me to help you hone that talent. What'll it be, Sekiro?! Will you hunt rats with me?
Refusing	Wolf: No. Tengu: Not interested? That's a shame. Tell me if you come around.
Greeting After Refusing	Tengu: What'll it be, Sekiro? Feel like hunting some rats now?
Accepting	Wolf: Very well. Tengu: Excellent! You'll need this if you're with me, Sekiro. Wolf: What is this...? Tengu: The face of a rat, and where it makes its home. Go and kill it! If you do, I will give you something that will aid you in battle.
Talking Again Before Hunting Down the Rats	Tengu: Go and kill it! If you do, I will give you something that will aid you in battle.
Returning After Hunting Down the Rats (giving Ashina Esoteric Text)	Tengu: Oh! Looks like you've caught yourself some rats. Wolf: Yes. Tengu: I knew you had a talent for killing. Wonderful. Here's your reward. Take it! Wolf: This is... Tengu: The ways of the Ashina blade! It's our school of fighting, but there are no hard and fast rules. You just win your battles. That alone is the most important rule of the Ashina style. I hope it can be of assistance with your rat hunting... And most of all, your own battles you've yet to fight.
Talking Again After Receiving the Text	Tengu: About the ways of the Ashina blade... It's our school of fighting, but there are no hard and fast rules. You just win your battles. That alone is the most important rule of the Ashina style. I hope it can be of assistance with your rat hunting... And most of all, your own battles you've yet to fight.

Talking	Tengu: Ah, Sekiro! Wolf: Who are... Tengu: Hmm? Ministry rats! They find a way in through every crack and crevice. There's always more of them to kill.
Before Learning A Final Art in a Skill Tree	Tengu: ...By the way, Sekiro. Have you mastered any secret techniques? Wolf: ........ Tengu: Hmm... Not quite yet, it seems. Cut them down, Sekiro. Every last one!
After Learning A Final Art in a Skill Tree (Giving Mushin Esoteric Text)	Tengu: ...By the way, Sekiro. Have you mastered any secret techniques? Wolf: Yes... Tengu: Yes, it seems you have. Sekiro. You really have a knack for killing. Wonderful! Here's your reward. Take it! Wolf: Certainly. Tengu: Sekiro, I know you... (coughing) Wolf: Are... you alright? Tengu: I'll enjoy the air up here for a little while longer. Go, Sekiro.
Talking Again After Receiving Text	Tengu: Go, Sekiro.

Notes[]

Can't be infected by Dragonrot.
The Tengu costume is available for Wolf to wear as the reward for completing the Gauntlet of Strength: Severance under the name of Another's Memory: Tengu.

Trivia[]

After speaking to the Tengu in the Great Serpent Shrine, his costume will appear in Isshin's room.
The nickname "Sekiro" 隻狼 comes from the words 隻 "seki", derived from "sekiwan" 隻腕, meaning "one-armed" and 狼 "ro" meaning "wolf".
As revealed by the Another's Memory: Ashina, Isshin also named the Sculptor "Sekijo" ("one armed orangutan"), after cutting off his left arm.
Tengu in Japanese folklore are a class of yōkai that are characterized by having mostly an avian appearance with a red face and a long nose. The armor set that Tengu wears is fitting for this particular yōkai.

Gallery