Kochō (胡蝶, "Butterfly") was one of Kikyō's assistants; she was one of two shikigami in the form of a young girls. She and Asuka are mainly used as Kikyō's messengers after Kikyō was grievously wounded on Mount Hakurei by Naraku. They are also attendants for Kikyō's other shikigami, Saint Hijiri, who is just a puppet and container for Kikyō's soul. Kochō and Asuka are also capable of erecting and maintaining powerful barriers.