Hida Ekiken was a bushi of the Crab Clan who gained a reputation fighting in the Kaiu Wall. In 1126 he was appointed as yojimbo to the Kuni Daimyo and his apprentice Kuni Nakiro, during Winter Court at Kyuden Asako. Yori and his entourage left the winter court before it finished. While en route home they were attacked by minions of the Shadowlands led by the fallen general Tsukuro. Ekiken was murdered, torn limb from limb.