Okara

Komachi's best friend in Kanna village, Okara is always recieving letters from her about everything that goes on with the samurai. A strong lover of gossip and secrets, she always a mischievious laugh whenever she sees a secret or overhears some juicy gossip.

Even though Okara is around Komachi's age, she speaks and acts like a full grown woman with wisdom and perception of truth far beyond her years. Okara always has a baby on her back, though it's never explaned who's baby it is, what it's name is, if it's a boy or a girl, or even why it's with her.