Kure Clan

The Kure Clan (呉 (くれ) 一 (いち) 族 (ぞく) , Kure-ichizoku) are a powerful league of assassins that are notorious throughout the criminal underworld where they are widely known as The Taboo Descendants (禁 (きん) 忌 (き) の末 (まつ) 裔 (えい) , Kinki no Matsuei).^[1] Around a particular city, 500 kilometres away from Tokyo, they are the most influential clan within that city's region,^[2] with the vast majority of the Kure living in Kure Village, a provincial city in that region.^[3][4]

About[]

The Kure Clan was formed 1300 years ago, when the original Wu Clan divided into three. While those who remained in the Chinese mainland and those who migrated to the occident kept the name Wu, those who migrated to Japan founded the family today known as Kure Clan.

Ever since the Asuka period, the Kure Clan has undergone a 1300 year process of selective breeding, adoption of special techniques and outside combat arts. As a result, with each generation, the Kure have become a race specialized for battle.^[5][6]

This selective breeding process, which is done by either having congress with daughters of famous martial artists or introducing excellent seed from outside the clan, the Kure attained peak physical performance in regards to strength, speed and durability. In their blood, they possess over twenty kinds of endorphins and, combined with their abnormal physical resilience, they possess, whether it be from slashing attacks or being smashed to the ground.^[6]

As competitors in the assassination business, they have a rivalry with the Mikazuchi Clan. Their rivalry goes way back, with the Mikazuchi's Raishin Style being used to stand against the Kure Clan for generations.^[7]

Sometime prior to 1920, a Kure family member emigrated from Japan to Brazil, settling in the city of São Paulo. He taught the local Silva family judo techniques which they would use to create Silva style jiu-jitsu. Eventually he married into the Silva family, with the current patriarch being his direct descendant.

Kure Traditions[]

The Kure Clan Tradition (呉 (くれ) 一 (いち) 族 (ぞく) 伝 (でん) , Kure Ichizoku-den), refer to the techniques, specifically the clan's assassination arts, used by the Kure to give life and take life away.^[8] According to the clan's current patriarch, Kure Erioh, there is no move the Kure cannot combat.^[5]

There's is a separate set of techniques suited and designed for combat sports in mind. Those are known as the Kure Family Tradition (呉 (くれ) 家 (か) 伝 (でん) , Kure Ka-den). Originally, only the main line Kure branch were taught the Family Traditions, though this custom had been long since abandoned by the time Erioh became the head of the clan. As such, an outsider like Tokita Ohma is able to learn the Family Traditions, if only because he is also the begrudged and unwilling fiance of Kure Karura.

Clan Traditions[]

Avidyā[]

Avidyā (無明 (むみょう) , Mumyō; lit. "Ignorance") is a technique that claws at the eyes and blinds the target, leaving them open to further attacks.^[9]

Lion Bite[]

Lion Bite (獅 (し) 子 (し) 咬 (がみ) , Shishigami) is a technique that can violently twist the necks of multiple individuals, if not just a single target. This technique is almost invariably lethal in execution and, as an experienced individual such as Kure Raian demonstrated, it can easily help deal with a small group of targets in a single movement.^[10][11]

Zhong Kui[]

Zhong Kui (鍾 () 馗 (うき) , Shōki), named after a deity of the same name, is a technique designed to strike at the back of the neck. Though it was attempted by Erioh, it was nullified by Edward's absurd strength.

Family Traditions[]

Buddha Killer[]

Buddha Killer (仏 (ぶつ) 殺 (さつ) , Butsusatsu) is an elbow uppercut to the head.^[9]

Copy[]

Copy (写 (うつ) し, Utsushi), as the name implies, allows the user to replicate and mimic an opponent's technique for their own benefit.

Depth Charge[]

Depth Charge (japanese needed) an armor piercing blow targeted at the liver.

Earth Scraper[]

Earth Scraper (地 (ち) 削 (そ) ざ, Chisogi) is a leg sweep that can throw off an opponent's balance for a follow-up.

Hard Slam[]

Hard Slam (剛 (ごう) 当 (とう) , Gotō) is a shoulder tackle.^[9]

Heaven-Shaking Supreme Fang[]

Heaven-Shaking Supreme Fang (回天 (かいてん) 絶 (ぜつ) 牙 (が) , Kaiten Zetsuga) is a downward elbow strike to the nape of the neck used as a counter.

Leg Thrust[]

Leg Thrust (蹴 (しゅう) 突 (とつ) , Shūtotsu) is a heel kick to the chest.^[9]

Mountain Breaker[]

Mountain Breaker (破 (は) 山 (ざん) , Hazan) is a double punch to the head and chest.^[9]

Silhouette[]

Silhouette (影 (かげ) 法 (ぼう) 師 (し) , Kagebōshi) is a super-close range technique that involves staying behind an opponent and mimicking them, acting like their shadow, before attacking.

Secret Technique: Removal[]

The Kure Clan Secret Technique: Removal (呉 (くれ) 一 (いち) 族 (ぞく) 秘 (ひ) 技 (ぎ) 外 (はず) し, Kure-ichizoku Higi: Hazushi) is most notable result of their selective breeding process.

Also known as Guihun by their Wu Clan counterparts, it is the ability to consciously remove the brain's limits on an individual's muscular strength output. As such, while regular humans are naturally unable to access more than 30% of their body's muscular strength (except in times of extreme duress), the Kure bred to access a greater amount of their latent muscular strength. That being said, the percent they have access to varies from each individual,^[12] and while those outside of the clan 'could' use this technique, only those of Kure and Wu possess the physical constitution needed to handle unrestrained exertion of the muscle's strength. The technique makes the user's skin turn red (or a dark shade of red-violet in the anime adaptation) with their blood vessels bulging on the surface. The Kure are also able to use the Removal in localized areas of their body.

Even though the Kure techniques are separeated between Clan Tradition and Family Tradition, the Removal is a technique outside both fields^[13].

Notable Members[]

Other Members[]

Kure Hanjiro
Kure Hanjiro (呉 半次郎; "Hanjiro Kure") is a hitman who married into the Kure Clan, by marrying Kure Yakusha and then becoming the father of Kure Sarla and Kure Karura. Hanjiro's favorite weapon is a gun[14] and doesn't seem to be well liked by Erioh for marrying his granddaughter, the latter objecting to calling him grandfather.[15]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 半次郎 (くれ はじろう)
	Romaji:	Kure Hanjirō
	Status:	Alive
	Age:	46 (Kengan Ashura)[14] ~48 (Kengan Omega)
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Omega Debut:	Chapter 55
	Image Gallery

Kure Henzo
Kure Henzo (呉 変造, Kure Henzō; "Henzo Kure"), also known as The Hunter Demon (狩鬼, Kari Oni), is an assassin and a construction worker who lives in Kure Village. He has acrophobia.[16] Henzo has a Removal release rate of 19%.[12] Henzo is the most normal member of the Kure Clan.[17]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 変造 (くれ ぞう)
	Romaji:	Kure Henzō
	Epithet(s):	The Hunter Demon (狩鬼, Kari Oni)[18]
	Status:	Alive
	Age:	31[16]
	Height:	174cm[16]
	Weight:	64kg[16]
	Birthday:	September 29th[16]
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Ashura Debut:	Chapter 38
	Anime Debut:	Episode 10
	Image Gallery

Kure Horio
Kure Horio (呉 堀男; "Horio Kure"), also known as The Ox Demon (鬼牛, Oni Ushi), is a prominent member of the Kure Clan and is also Hollis' uncle. As well as being an assassin, he has a Tax Adviser License and a regular Driver's License.[19] Horio has a Removal release rate of 65%.[12]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 堀男 (くれ ほりお)
	Romaji:	Kure Horio
	Epithet(s):	The Ox Demon (鬼牛, Oni Ushi)[18]
	Status:	Alive
	Age:	55 (Kengan Ashura)[19] ~57 (Kengan Omega)
	Height:	182cm[19]
	Weight:	122kg[19]
	Birthday:	October 17th[19]
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Ashura Debut:	Chapter 22
	Omega Debut:	Chapter 53
	Anime Debut:	Episode 7
	Image Gallery

Kure Hoshiya
Kure Hoshiya (呉 星哉, Kure Hoshiya; "Hoshiya Kure") is a member of the Kure Clan. He has a Removal release rate of 36%.[12] Along with Kuro, they make a rather nosy duo.[17]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 星哉 (くれ ほしや)
	Romaji:	Kure Hoshiya
	Status:	Alive
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Ashura Debut:	Chapter 38
	Image Gallery

Kure Kuro
Kure Kuro (呉 九郎, Kure Kurō; "Kuro Kure") is a member of the Kure Clan. He has a Removal release rate of 25%.[12] Along with Hoshiya, they make a rather nosy duo.[17]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 九郎 (くれ くろう)
	Romaji:	Kure Kurō
	Status:	Alive
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Ashura Debut:	Chapter 38
	Image Gallery

Kure Reiichi
Kure Reiichi (呉 伶一, Kure Reiichi; "Reiichi Kure"), also known as The Adamantine Demon (金剛鬼, Kongō Oni), is a prominent member of the Kure Clan. He has the fifth highest Removal release rate of 50%.[12] Reiichi's favourite music is Japanese Hardcore[20] and he is also the most narcissistic member of the Kure Clan.[21] Along with Hollis, Reiichi attempted to assist his family in the fight against Edward Wu before being overpowered.[22] He was later able to augment his release rate to 100% by successfully implementing a forbidden Wu Clan technique.[23]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 伶一 (くれ れいいち)
	Romaji:	Kure Reiichi
	Epithet(s):	The Adamantine Demon (金剛鬼, Kongō Oni)[18]
	Status:	Alive
	Age:	26 (Kengan Ashura)[20] ~28 (Kengan Omega)
	Height:	191cm[20]
	Weight:	105kg[20]
	Birthday:	July 24th[20]
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Ashura Debut:	Chapter 22
	Omega Debut:	Chapter 53
	Anime Debut:	Episode 7
	Image Gallery

Kure Rikuto
Kure Rikuto (呉 陸斗, Kure Rikuto; "Rikuto Kure") was an important member of the Kure Clan. He was set to become the next head of the Kure, but was betrayed and killed by Edward Wu, who's betrayal revealed the Westward Faction's ties to the Worm. As such, Erioh announced a kill-on-site contract for the head of the Westward Faction.
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 陸斗 (くれ りくと)
	Romaji:	Kure Rikuto
	Status:	Deceased
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Omega Debut:	Chapter 96
	Image Gallery

Kure Sarura
Kure Sarura (呉 沙流羅; "Sarura Kure") is a student and an assassin, as well as the son of Hanjiro and Yakusha, and Karura's younger brother. Sarura's favorite weapon is a garrote.[14]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 沙流羅 (くれ さるら)
	Romaji:	Kure Sarura
	Status:	Alive
	Age:	15 (Kengan Ashura)[14] ~17 (Kengan Omega)
	Gender:	Male
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Omega Debut:	Chapter 55
	Image Gallery

Kure Yakusha
Kure Yakusha (呉 夜叉; "Yakusha Kure") is an assassin and a teacher at Koyo Girl's Academy.[14] She is Karura's and Sarura's mother and she lives in Tokyo with the rest of her immediate family.[3] Yakusha's favourite weapon is the halberd[14] and her measurements are 83–61–84 centimetres.[24]
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 夜叉 (くれ やくしゃ)
	Romaji:	Kure Yakusha
	Status:	Alive
	Age:	34 [14]
	Height:	167cm[24]
	Weight:	55kg[24]
	Gender:	Female
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Omega Debut:	Chapter 55
	Image Gallery

Kure Yone
Kure Yone[25] (呉 米, Kure Yone; "Yone Kure") is an assassin living in Kure Village.[14] Yone is skilled at cooking Natto.
	Characteristics
	Kanji:	呉 米 (くれ よね)
	Romaji:	Kure Yone
	Status:	Alive
	Gender:	Female
	Affiliations:	Kure Clan
	Omega Debut:	Chapter 55
	Image Gallery

Etymology[]

• The surname Kure means "give, do something for" (呉).

Notes & Trivia[]

• The Kure Clan only suffered four overall defeats in Kengan matches.^[18]
  • Kure Erioh once lost to an unknown fighter during his tenure as the first Fang of Metsudo.
  • Kure Raian lost to Tokita Ohma in the second round of the Kengan Annihilation Tournament.^[18]
• The Kure Clan are modelled after the Gracie family, a prominent Brazilian family who developed and championed Brazilian jiu-jitsu.^[26]
• Apparently, 10% of the residents of the region where the Kure Village is situated are the Kure Clan and their affiliates.^[4]
• Most likely due to their special ability and their darkened near-black sclera and whitened irises and pupils, it is said that demons dwell within the Kure.^[2]
• Kure Erioh compares the Removal technique to a sort of "Burning Inner Strength", which is a reference to a power in the manga series Kinnikuman with the same name.
• Most members of the Kure Clan have an epithet with the word Demon in it.
• Avidyā, one of the techniques of the Kure Clan's family traditions, is a Sanskrit word which literally means ignorance, misconceptions.^[27]

References[]

Navigation[]

v • e Special Terms
Martial Arts	Formless · Gaoh Style · Inaba Style · Kaiwan Style · Koei Style · Kure Clan Style · Niko Style (Possessing Spirit) · Raishin Style
Kengan	Bodyguards (Extermination Force · Fang of Metsudo) · Guardians · Kengan Annihilation Tournament · Berserker Bowl · Members (Ashura/Omega) · Kengan matches · Referees
The Public Sphere	Rokushin Kaikan · Rokushin Kaikan Tournament
The Underground	Heavenly Wolves · Inaba Clan · Kengan Association VS Purgatory Tournament · Kure Clan · Mikazuchi Clan · Underground Martial Arts Industry (Bishamon · Death Fight · Heroic Tales · Kengan matches · Purgatory (Three Demon Fists)) · Worm · Wu Clan
The Inside	The Black Messengers · Tokita Niko