Jin Sakai is a busy man. Between the burning villages and the endless Mongol patrols, you’d think he’d have enough on his plate. But then you stumble into Umugi Cove, and suddenly, you're hunted. The Ghost of Tsushima Six Blades of Kojiro quest isn't just another checklist item for your platinum trophy. It’s a gauntlet. It’s a series of duels that force you to actually learn the mechanics of the game instead of just spamming Kunai. Honestly, if you haven't mastered the perfect parry by the time you start this, you’re going to have a very bad time in Toyotama.
The quest is legendary. You hear about it from a musician, as is tradition in Sucker Punch’s masterpiece. This isn't just some ghost story, though. It’s about a group of Ronin—the Straw Hats—who have essentially sold their souls for a chance to kill you. They’re obsessed. They’ve made a pact with a demon-like figure named Kojiro to take your head. You have to track down five of these duelists across the map before you can even look at the final boss. It’s a lot of riding. You’ll see plenty of pampas grass.
Where to Find the Five Straw Hats
You can't just stumble into the final fight. You have to prove yourself. The five Ronin are scattered across the Umugi region, and each one fights with a slightly different rhythm. This is where most players get stuck. They expect the same AI patterns, but the Straw Hats are more aggressive than your standard Mongol leader.
First, there’s Kanetomo. He’s waiting for you at the Duel of Crashing Waves. It’s a beautiful spot, really. Northern coast of Toyotama. But don't get distracted by the scenery because he’s fast. Then you’ve got Yasumasa at the Duel Among the Spider Lilies. The red flowers make for a striking visual, but they also hide his footwork. Kagemitsu is at the Duel Under Autumn Leaves. It's classic samurai cinema stuff.
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Don't forget Tomotsugu at the Duel of Tides and Hirotsune at the Duel Among the Red Blossoms.
Each of these fights follows the same basic structure: a 1v1 cinematic duel where your Ghost weapons are disabled. No bombs. No arrows. Just your katana and your reflexes. If you've been relying on the Longbow to thin out crowds, these fights are going to feel like a cold shower. You have to watch their hands. The blue glints are parryable, the red glints mean move your butt out of the way. It’s that simple, yet incredibly easy to mess up when your health bar is blinking red.
The Man, The Myth: Fighting Kojiro
Once the five are dead, you go back to the musician. He tells you Kojiro is waiting at Omi Monastery. Specifically, inside a cave that looks like it belongs in a horror movie. The Ghost of Tsushima Six Blades of Kojiro finale is widely considered one of the best duels in the game for a reason. Kojiro is a beast. He’s faster than the others, his combos are longer, and he has a nasty habit of feinting.
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Most people try to play defensively. That’s a mistake. Kojiro thrives on space. If you back off, he’ll close the gap with a thrust that’s hard to time. You want to stay in his face. Use the Stone Stance—since he’s a swordsman—and heavy attacks to break his guard. When you see him sheathe his sword, he’s prepping a quick-draw. Dodge. Don’t try to be a hero and parry that unless you’re 100% confident in your frame data knowledge.
One thing people often overlook is the charm setup. If you’re struggling, swap to the Gosaku Armor for the stagger bonus or the Sakai Steel for pure damage. But honestly? The Kensei Armor, which you get as the reward for this quest, is the real prize. It’s arguably the best armor in the game for players who love using Ghost weapons like sticky bombs and kunai. Ironically, you have to win a duel without them to earn the right to make them overpowered.
Why This Quest Matters for Your Build
Basically, the Kensei Armor is the "mage build" of the samurai world. When you wear it, your Ghost weapons deal 30% more damage, and hitting an enemy with a Ghost weapon makes them deal 50% less damage to you. It’s broken. In a good way.
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The Ghost of Tsushima Six Blades of Kojiro isn't just about the armor, though. It’s about the narrative shift. Up until this point, the Straw Hats are mostly just annoying mercenaries. This quest gives them a bit of that mythic, terrifying weight. It reminds you that while Jin is becoming a legend, there are other men out there who have spent their entire lives perfecting the blade, and they don't care about your "honor" or your "Ghost" reputation. They just want to see if they’re better than you.
Survival Tips for the Kojiro Gauntlet
If you’re heading into this now, keep a few things in mind.
- Resolve is King: Don't enter a duel with zero Resolve. Go find a bamboo strike or kill some random Mongols first. You need that yellow circle to heal.
- The Dance of Wrath: If you’ve unlocked this Mythic Move, use it. It’s expensive, but it hits like a truck and can't be blocked.
- Watch the Feet: It sounds weird, but watching the enemy's feet often gives away their movement direction faster than watching their sword.
- Difficulty Spikes: If you're playing on Lethal, one mistake is death. If Kojiro is tilting you, there's no shame in dropping it to Medium just to get through the cave. We've all been there.
The quest is a masterclass in atmosphere. The lighting in the Omi Monastery cave, the way the candles flicker as you trade blows—it’s peak Sucker Punch. It’s the kind of content that makes the open world feel lived-in and dangerous, rather than just a map full of icons.
Actionable Next Steps for Completionists
If you want to finish this quest tonight, start by fast-traveling to Umugi Cove. Speak to Yamato (the musician) to trigger the quest. Mark the five duel locations on your map immediately so you don't waste time wandering. If you haven't upgraded your Katana to at least level 4 or 5, go to a swordsmith first. You’re going to need the raw damage. Once you've collected all five "scarlet" pieces of evidence from the fallen Ronin, head to the Omi Monastery in the north of Toyotama. Equip your best dueling charms—like the Charm of Resistance or the Charm of Amaterasu—and prepare for a long fight. After winning, immediately upgrade your new Kensei Armor to maximize the damage debuff on enemies, which will make the rest of Act 2 significantly easier.