Kakita Hogai was a Go Master of the Crane Clan. He was incredibly frail due to his weak constitution, but he was trained as a bushi, to wield with honor the ancestral family weapon, Byakuren, a Kakita Blade. His marriage produced no heirs before his wife's death. Following a deep desire of perfection, Hogai honed his skills as go player. Hogai earned an appointment at Toshi Ranbo as a minor ambassador of the clan, competing in every Go tournament.