Suzaku:
Hotohori:
Real Name: Saihitei Seishuku
Age: 18
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
First Appearance (Anime): Episode 2
Abilities: Mystical sword fighting
Height: 5’11”
Blood type: A
Birth date: April 2
Location of seishi symbol: Neck
Meaning of seishi symbol: Star
Affiliation: Suzaku Seven

Hotohori is a member of the Suzaku Seven, celestial warriors sworn to protect the Priestess of Suzaku from harm. Hotohori is also known as Emperor Saihitei, the ruler of Konan, and the region that pays worship to Suzaku (where Miaka and Yui first end up). At 18 years of age, he is one of the youngest emperors, but is kind, gentle, and able to rule justly and effectively, and the people love him for it. As a known member of the Suzaku Seven, Hotohori has had knowledge of the legend of the Suzaku Seven since he was a child. Even as a child, he knew of his destiny to protect the girl destined to come from the other world and become the Priestess of Suzaku, and because of his rather lonely nature, fell in love with the girl even before she showed up in the world.

Hotohori had a chance encounter meeting Miaka. He happened to be riding through the town in his palanquin, or closed tent, when a curious Miaka walked up to him and asked him for a jewel in order to get money to pay back Tamahome for his help earlier. Tamahome, stunned by Miaka's boldness, attempted to rescue her, and though he beat up a few of the emperor's guards, seemed beaten - until Miaka glowed with a red light that signaled to Hotohori that Miaka was the girl he had been looking for. He ordered his guards to seize Tamahome and Miaka. Miaka and Tamahome were eventually able to escape the emperor's prison, but not before Hotohori had another chance encounter with Miaka, who mistook him for a woman because of his feminine-like beauty and looks. It was after this misunderstanding that Hotohori told Miaka of the legend of the Priestess of Suzaku and how if she became the priestess and summoned Suzaku, she could get home. Miaka readily accepted, and it was then that her journey to find the Suzaku Seven and summon Suzaku truly began.

Hotohori has been known to care for Miaka quite a bit, almost as much as Tamahome does. At one point, he had even fallen in love with Miaka, as she was indeed the girl in the legend who came from another world that Hotohori read about and swore to protect as a child. It is this love and care for not just Miaka but his friends that ultimately drives Hotohori and his mystic sword to personally protect them at any cost, something not particularly expected of someone of his stature.