The magistrate of Kokakyo and adopted father of Ukyo. A typical merchant-type ruler who taught Ukyo all about bussiness. When an imperial envoy is killed in his mansion by a katana, Ayamaro organizes a "samurai hunt" to make sure he catches the killer. When the culprit does not turn up, he is summoned to the capital and striped of his title, which is given to Ukyo. After Ukyo murders the emperor, he sends Ayamaro to work in the warehouses. When the samurai rescue Kambei and Sanae from the capital, Ayamaro goes with them to get away from Ukyo. He stays behind at the Firefly house when the samurai go off to fight Ukyo. After the final battle, Ayamaro is seen in Shikimoribito clothes, supervising a construction project, appearing to be much happier than he ever was as a wealthy merchant.