In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the Kabukimono are a group of flamboyant rogue ronin terrorising the province of Settsu around the cities of Sakai and Osaka, raiding villages, destroying homes and disrupting trade to seize power for themselves.
Determined to rid Japan of the kind of injustice perpetrated by the shadowy organization she hunts, Naoe pledges to track down and defeat each member of the dreaded Kabukimono across Settsu and its neighbouring provinces.
While you can defeat the first few Kabukimono immediately in your adventure, you will have to wait until you reach level 23 to take down the final 3.
Where to start the Kabukimono quest
You acquire the sidequest to track down and defeat the Kabukimono at Nakayama Peak, west of Amagasaki in Izumi Settsu. Speak to Shin’nyo at the shrine entrance, where he tells you of some troublesome ronin who’re attacking peasants in the area.
This gives you a full new suite of targets to defeat ranging from level 9 to 23. They give a variety of different unique weapons and items for defeating them, making it well worth your time to complete.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Kabukimono Locations
Chief Cuckoo –
For Chief Cuckoo, you’re given three clues:
- He is located in Izumi Settsu
- He was last seen in Katano
- He is involved in oil trading
You find Katano just to the northeast of Osaka. Then just to the southwest of the castle is a hostile area called “Katano Oil Trading”.
Here you find Chief Cuckoo standing next to a well, surrounded by allies. There is however, a conveniently-placed roof nearby where you can score an easy air assassination. You get money, XP, 2 mastery points, the Prancing Naginata weapon and Damage after Dodge engraving for defeating him.
Big Sueki –
The three clues you get for Big Sueki are:
- He is in Izumi Settsu
- He is north of Amagasaki Castle
- He loves to drink in an inn
Amagasaki Castle is to the northwest of Osaka, and just north of it you find Muko Post Town.
In the back garden of an inn in the middle of town you find Sueki listening to music with his chums. Either draw him over with a noise or shinobi tool and drop down for an air assassination, or practice your katana skills and face them head-on.
You get two mastery points, money and XP, the Tactless Parley katana and Damage with Afflictions engraving for defeating him.
Ember –
You get another three clues for Ember:
- He is in Izumi Settsu
- He is southwest of Osaka Castle
- He can be found near burnt buildings
The burnt buildings you need to track down are found just to the west of the Temple of Osaka.
Luckily for you, it looks like these arsonists still have their stash close-at-hand. Smash one of the explosive pots next to Ember using a kunai to send him out with a bang. This gives you the spark of Ember rifle and the armor piercing on consecutive hits engraving.
Grave Dancer –
Grave Dancer is the simplest to find, but you still get three clues:
- He is in Izumi Settsu
- He is in southern Osaka
- He can be found in Sumiyoshi Shrine
Sumiyoshi Shrine is found to the southeast of the Temple of Osaka. Grave Dancer is speaking to a fellow Ronin on the northern side of the shrine.
Use the nearby rooftop to swoop down on top of him, or simply slip past with a particularly sharp greeting. This gives you the Widower’s Solace katana, buildup on consecutive kills engraving and mastery points.
Ghost General –
Finally, Ghost General gives the following clues:
- He stalks the shores of western Settsu
- He disrupts incoming shipments of goods
He can be found in the port on the western edge of Sakai, in the open-air market right next to the Port of Sakai marker.
He’s wandering with a single guard in tow and can be assassinated easily. You get the Kabukimono’s Greed katana, adrenaline on multiple enemies engraving, 2 mastery points, money and XP.
Where to find the Haima Kabukimono
After defeating the first five Kabukimono, you receive an interesting note which reveals how the Kabukimono are using the Nishinomiya shrine board to pass messages.
Travel to the Shrine and you will then be able to draw the remaining three Ronin out of hiding.
You can either hunt them one by one – which is easier, but more time consuming, or all together. Either way, this takes place in Haima, which is a level 23 area – likely much too high for you in the early game.