Totosai

A master blacksmith, the demon Totosai is responsible for arming Sesshomaru and Inuyasha and their father before them. His swords Tessaiga and Tenseiga were each given to the sons of the great Dog Demon in order to help them better themselves.

Upon first meeting Inuyasha, Totosai balks at the thought of the half-demon ever mastering the true power of the Tessaiga. As Inuyasha continues to train and improve with the blade, Totosai begins to have a gruding respect for his old friend's son. Inuyasha often comes to Totosai for guidance, but he prefers for Inuyasha to solve his own problems rather than give him a straightforward answer.

His relationship with Inuyasha's brother, Sesshomaru, is very different. Sesshomaru demanded the blacksmith forge him a blade equal to Tessaiga once he realized his Tenseiga was incapable of harming anyone. Totosai's refusal has placed them at odds ever since. Eventually Sesshomaru matures and Totosai reforges his healing blade into one capable of incredible destructive power.

Totosai himself is much more powerful than his old age would suggest. He often blows fire from his mouth in order to forge weapons, but can also use this as an offensive maneuver, and his mighty hammer is capable of releasing pools of lava from the earth.

---

The Meaning Behind the Name - 刀々斎

The first character is for "katana or sword". The second character indicates a repetition of the previous sound (toto). The last character means "purification".

Voices:
Jouji Yanami

Jouji Yanami plays the old swordsmith, and this isn't his first Takahashi anime either. He played Murphy in Maris the Supergal. Some of his previous roles include Buaku in Dominion: Tank Police, Gikkuri in Nausicca of the Valley of Wind, Dr. Kitaguchi in Irresponsible Captain Tylor, and Dr. Zero in Space Pirate Captain Harlock.

Richard Newman

Richard Newman provides Totosai's English voice. He provided the caring voice behind Mr. Ichinose in Maison Ikkoku, as well as the fatherly Lazlo in Please Save My Earth as well as the evil Emperor Dornkirk in The Vision of Escaflowne.