Character Relationship Map: Conquest

Characters

• Jiju (played by Nobuko Otowa) — protagonist

  Jiju is Moronao's chief chambermaid, responsible for arranging his intended meeting with Kaoyo. She sends letters in his name and secretly pressures Kaoyo to accept his advances, fearing the loss of h...

• Kaoyo (played by Kyôko Kishida) — supporting

  Kaoyo is Takasada's wife and the woman whose beauty becomes the object of Moronao's obsession. She rejects his repeated advances and remains loyal to Takasada, refusing to sacrifice their love. After...

• Moronao (played by Eitarō Ozawa) — supporting

  Moronao is a deputy and retainer of the Ashikaga shogunate whose desire for Kaoyo drives the central conflict. He uses his authority to send Takasada into battle and later surrounds him with his men w...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Moronao → Jiju (Professional Employer) — Jiju serves Moronao within his household and carries out his demands.

  Jiju is identified as Moronao's chief chambermaid and acts on his behalf by arranging letters and attempting to influence Kaoyo.

• Moronao → Kaoyo (Romantic Obsession) — Moronao desires Kaoyo, while Kaoyo rejects his advances.

  Moronao hears of Kaoyo's beauty and becomes obsessed with sleeping with her. He repeatedly courts her despite her resistance.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Jiju → Kaoyo (Conflict Coercer) — Jiju pressures Kaoyo to accept Moronao's advances, creating direct conflict between them.

  Jiju secretly enters Kaoyo's house and tries to persuade her to submit to Moronao's courtship.

Story Analysis

Moronao's coercive desire triggers a chain of resistance, violence, death, and uncanny reversal.

Plot Progression

1. A Desire Takes Command — Moronao becomes obsessed with Kaoyo and orders Jiju to arrange a private meeting. Jiju sends letters in his name, but Kaoyo does not answer.
2. Pressure Behind Closed Doors — Jiju secretly enters Kaoyo's household and tries to make her accept Moronao's courtship. Kaoyo's loyalty exposes the moral conflict behind Jiju's obedience.
3. Power Turns Violent — Moronao responds to Kaoyo's repeated resistance by ordering her husband into battle. The order separates the couple and escalates private desire into political violence.
4. The Hidden Battlefield — The disobedient husband and his followers desert to meet Kaoyo, but Moronao's men surround them. The resulting battle destroys the reunion and kills the deserters.
5. A Victory Without Desire — Kaoyo is killed and her severed head is brought to Moronao's estate. Moronao's fury, Jiju's laughter, and the smiling head create the film's uncanny final reversal.