You’re standing in the Omi Monastery. The air feels heavy, thick with the scent of incense and the unspoken threat of a man who has spent his entire life perfecting the art of killing. This is Kojiro. If you’ve played Ghost of Tsushima, you know exactly who I’m talking about. But before you even get to him, you have to survive his students. The Six Blades of Kojiro isn't just another side quest; it’s a grueling gauntlet that tests whether you’ve actually mastered the game's combat mechanics or if you’ve just been button-mashing your way through the Mongol invasion.
It’s brutal. Honestly, it’s one of the most memorable sequences in Sucker Punch’s masterpiece because it strips away the "Ghost" gadgets and forces you back into the shoes of a samurai.
The Straw Hat Assassins: More Than Just Ronin
The quest kicks off in Act 2. You meet a musician at Umugi Cove who spins a yarn about Kojiro, a legendary warrior who made a literal blood pact with five other Straw Hat ronin. They want Jin Sakai’s head. Simple enough, right? Except these guys aren't your run-of-the-mill bandits. Each duel takes place in a distinct, visually stunning location across Toyotama.
Think about the Duel Among the Spider Lilies. The vibrant red flowers against the muted sky—it’s peak Kurosawa. You aren't just fighting an NPC; you're fighting the environment. The terrain matters. If you get backed into a corner in the Duel Under Falling Water, the camera might betray you, or the splash of the falls might mask the audio cue of an unblockable attack.
The five initial Ronin you have to track down are:
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- Yasumasa: Found in the marshes of the Otsuna Grasslands. He’s aggressive and punishes slow reactions.
- Hirotsune: Waiting at the Mushroom Peak.
- Tomotsugu: This one happens at the seaside. The waves crashing against the rocks adds a layer of tension that makes your palms sweat.
- Kiyotika: Located at the marshes near the River Child’s Wetlands.
- Kanetomo: Found on the coast of Satsu.
Each of these men represents a different facet of the Straw Hat combat style. Some love the quick-draw strikes. Others will spam that annoying unblockable kick that sends Jin flying. You can't just spam Stone Stance and hope for the best. You've got to dance.
Why the Six Blades of Kojiro is a Difficulty Spike
A lot of players hit a wall here. Up until this point, you’ve probably been using kunai, smoke bombs, and the longbow to thin out Mongol camps. But in a duel? All those "dishonorable" toys go out the window. It’s just you, your katana, and a parry window that feels like it shrinks with every new opponent.
The duel with Kojiro himself is the real kicker. He’s tucked away in a cave at the Omi Monastery, surrounded by lit candles and the bones of people who weren't as good as you (hopefully).
Kojiro is fast. Scary fast. He uses a mix of fast thrusts and wide horizontal slashes that require precise dodging. If you try to parry his red-glint attacks, you’re dead. If you mistime your dodge on his blue-glint attacks, you lose half your health. It’s a rhythmic fight. You hit, you parry, you sidestep. It feels less like a video game and more like a choreographed struggle for survival.
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The Reward: Is the Kensei Armor Actually Worth It?
Most people do this quest for the loot. After you finally put Kojiro in the ground, you get the Kensei Armor. In the lore, this was Kojiro's gear. In terms of gameplay, it’s arguably the best set for players who love using Ghost Weapons.
It increases your Resolve gains and makes your Ghost Weapons deal more damage. More importantly, it applies a debuff to enemies hit by your weapons, making them deal less damage and take more damage. If you pair this armor with the right Charms—like the Charm of Hidden Blades—you basically become an untouchable god of war.
But honestly? The armor is almost secondary. The real reward is the bragging rights. Clearing the Six Blades of Kojiro on Lethal or Lethal+ difficulty is a rite of passage for the Ghost of Tsushima community. It proves you understand the "dance" of the blade.
Mastering the Duel: Practical Tips
If you're struggling, stop trying to be the aggressor. Kojiro and his boys thrive on counter-attacking.
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- Watch the Feet: Often, a Ronin's stance shift starts in the hips and feet before the sword even moves. If they sheath their blade, they are prepping a Hian speed-strike. Get ready to dodge sideways, not backward.
- Perfect Parry is Non-Negotiable: You need to invest technique points into the Deflection tree. If you aren't hitting perfect parries to slow down time and recover Resolve, you’re going to run out of steam.
- The Gosaku Armor Shortcut: If you're really stuck, put on Gosaku’s Armor. It increases stagger damage. If you can break their guard quickly, the fight ends much faster. It feels a bit like cheating, but hey, a dead Ronin is a dead Ronin.
- Charm of Mizu-no-Kami: This is found at the Spring Falls Shrine. It makes parries and perfect dodges easier to perform. It’s basically a "must-have" for this questline.
The Six Blades questline succeeds because it grounds the game. In a world of exploding arrows and grappling hooks, it reminds you that Jin Sakai is, at his core, a man who was trained to look his enemy in the eye before killing them. It’s a somber, beautiful, and incredibly violent tribute to samurai cinema.
How to Prepare for the Final Fight
Before you head into that cave at Omi Monastery, make sure your katana is upgraded to at least level 5 or 6. You also want to have your Resolve circles maxed out. Don't go in with an empty meter. Go find some Mongol patrols nearby, build up your Resolve by performing clean kills, and then walk into that cave.
When the fight starts, stay centered. Kojiro likes to move in circles. Don't let him get behind your camera. Keep your back to the cave wall if you have to, but keep him in your sights. It’s a long fight, so don't get greedy. One or two hits, then back off.
Actionable Next Steps for Players
- Locate the Musician: Head to Umugi Cove in Act 2 to trigger "The Six Blades of Kojiro" Mythic Tale.
- Equip the Right Charms: Visit the Spring Falls Shrine in Northern Kashine to get the Charm of Mizu-no-Kami to widen your parry window.
- Upgrade Stances: Ensure your Stone Stance is fully upgraded, as most of these opponents are swordsmen, and the heavy pierce attacks are vital for breaking their guard.
- Focus on Resolve: If you are dying too quickly, take a break from the duels to find Bamboo Strikes across Toyotama to increase your total Resolve capacity.