The Juppongatana
Juppongatana means "Ten Swords". They are an elite group of 10 men that have their own unique abilities that fight under Shishio Makoto, a former mercenary that was turned upon by the Meiji government. Together, they seek to conquer all of Japan.
The members are: Seta Soujiro, Uonuma Usui, Yukyuzan Anji, Sadojima Hoji, Sawagejo Cho, Honjo Kamatari, Kariwa Henya, Iwanbo, Saizuchi and Fuji.
Here are short descriptions of each member. Click here for images.
Seta Soujiro
I will refrain from discussing Soujiro in this one page, as the rest of the shrine is simply dedicated to him already ;)
Uonuma Usui
Usui is a blind swordsman. Formerly working for the Shogunate government, he had previously fought Shishio and lost not only the battle but also his eyesight. He knows a technique named Shingan which is Eye of Heart. It uses incredible hearing to listen to the opponent's heartbeat and detect their emotions and movements. Although Usui works for Shishio, deep down he only joined the Juppongatana for the chance to kill him. Shishio also knows this, as well as the fact that Usui can never defeat Shishio.
Yukyuzan Anji
Anji is sometimes referred to as the Depraved Monk. His technique Futae no Kiwami, using any part of his body or a small blade being struck into the ground to attack from a distance, allows him to shatter almost anything. His motive for fighting the Meiji government is due to a tragic event in his past which involved anti-Buddhist movements, the destruction of his home and temple, as well as the death of 5 orphans that he had cared for so much. During his training before heading back to Kyoto, Anji meets Sano to whom he teaches the technique. This later on leads to a match between the two fist-masters, wherein Sano defeats the monk.
Sadojima Hoji
Hoji is Shishio's top adviser. Although he is not really a figher, he has amazing leadership abilities. He is keeps things in order back at Shishio's Headquarters, as well as being the man who acquires the Rengoku (battleship) for Shishio's use. He is also an extremely loyal man, who completely believes in Shishio's power, following him in his conquest to conquer hell after suiciding in jail.
Sawagejo Cho
Cho is the group's sword hunter. Other than the multiple swords he carries on his body, there is a thin and flexible sword that he keeps wrapped around his waist that is covered by a steel protector. Apparently, Arai Seikuu, the son of Arai Sakkuu, had offered his father's last sword to the gods. On his way to acquire the sword, Cho takes Seikuu's son, Iori, hostage. Kenshin follows him to rescue the boy which ultimately leads to a battle between him and Cho. Cho, however, is no match for Kenshin, despite his renbato and Kenshin having no sword until the later part of the match.
Honjo Kamatari
Kamatari is a crossdresser although he may dress as a women so well that even Misao was surprised at the revelation. He is gay and completely devoted to Shishio although he knows that he can never compete with Soujiro or Yumi. His weapon involves a large scythe, a chain and a ball at the end of the chain. His battle is with Misao and Kaoru combined at the Aoiya wherein he is defeated by their efforts. After his defeat, he feels suicidal although is stopped for the moment. Later on, Cho manages to keep Kamatari living on the lie that Shishio would have wanted them to spread the word of their work.
Kariwa Henya
Henya is sometimes referred to as Henya the Flighted. This is for his unusual technique of combining the power of dynamite to lift himself, and uses a cape to control movement. His attacks involve the dynamite explosions and the use of descending on a opponent from above to quickly slash him with the blade on his wrist. Due to him being extremely thin, he can easily keep himself up and away from opponents. He is defeated by Yahiko who copies Kenshin's Ryu Tsui Sen and uses the dynamite and flying debris to lift himself above Henya's attacks.
Iwanbo
Iwanbo is stupid and fat. Although different from his manga counterpart, in the anime, he uses his strength and size to defeat his opponents. His fat blocks almost any weapon from harming him. He can't handle things himself, for when he was the only one left in the Aoiya battle, he ran away.
Saizuchi and Fuji
The last two members of the Juppongatana are largely different from each other. No pun intended. Saizuchi is a miniature old man who is very cocky, whereas Fuji is a giant that is considered gentle and depressed due to abuse. He was simply manipulated by the old man who had saved him from death when he had been attacked simply for being huge. Later on, Fuji is confronted by Kenshin's master, Hiko Seijuro, where his true feelings are revealed. Although he is defeated, he lives on, no longer the puppet of a man who had caused him to do terrible things.