FromSoftware games have a tradition of including sidequests with tragic endings. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is no different and one of the most enigmatic involves wandering samurai Jinzaemon Kumano.
Jinzaemon appears in a number of locations across Ashina territory, sitting just ahead of mini-bosses guarding major pathways. While that might suggest that Jinzaemon is actually a villain, he’s actually one of the most earnest characters in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Unfortunately, that means that he isn’t lying about hearing an ominous music in the distance. While many have suggested that he is meant to be the real-life samurai Yasuke, his story isn’t one defined by epic battles. Instead, players effectively clear him a path to a shamisen-playing siren. Compelled to follow the tunes, Wolf can follow him to the source of the haunting tunes or send him to a much quicker, sadder end.
Jinzaemon Questline in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Jinzaemon can first be encountered in the Ashina Reservoir, in an area by the very start of the game that is now accessible thanks to the Shinobi Prosthetic’s grappling hook. He is spotted standing by a hole that leads to a mini-boss fight with an Interior Ministry ninja that opens up the pathway. To start the questline, players need to simply talk with Jinzaemon. From there, they can talk with him in the following locations:
- Abandoned Dungeon near the Bottomless Hole Sculptor's Idol, before the Shichimen Warrior mini-boss
- Ashina Depths, right after the boss arena for the Headless Ape
- Mibu Village near the Water Mill Sculptor’s Idol, ahead of the O’Rin of the Water mini-boss fight
Players need to talk with him at these locations sequentially before fighting O’Rin of the Water. If the player talks with him in Mibu Village, defeats O’Rin of the Water, and then returns to him, they will receive Jinza’s Jizo Statue, an extremely useful item that is only available once per save.
If players don’t bring Jinzaemon to his final destination before killing O’Rin of the Water, he will turn hostile towards the player. Jinzemon can continue on even without Wolf talking with him, but his progress can be halted by Dragonrot.
Should Jinzaemon Go To Doujun?
Players should not send Jinzaemon to Doujun. If Jinzaemon is sent to Doujun, players receive three Lumps of Fat Wax, an upgrade material for the Shinobi Prosthetic. This is helpful, but not nearly as useful as Jinza’s Jizo Statue.
Jinza’s Jizo Statue restores a resurrection charge instantly, allowing players to get an extra revival in. This is the same effect as a Bundled Jizo Statue, but players can only carry one Bundled Jizo Statue at a time. JInza’s Jizo Statue is carried on top of this, allowing players to have two extra resurrections.
Players can farm upgrade materials but finishing Jinzaemon’s questline is the only way to get Jinza’s Jizo Statue.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.