Spoiler warning: This guide covers the full “Careful What You Wish For” quest in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, including the Stout Pillar locations, the Rasho-Gan boss battle and the rewards.
After Musashi’s training session with Takamura, the “Careful What You Wish For” quest sends him into Eastern Kyoto to investigate strange activity near Rokudo-chinnoji Temple. Locals speak of the Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, where prayers are said to change people’s fates.
Follow the steps below to uncover what happened at the shrine and complete the mission.
Part 1: Investigate the Yasui Konpiragu Shrine
Begin by travelling north-east through Eastern Kyoto until you reach the Calm Woman near the Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. Speak with her to start the investigation.
You need to collect two clues in the shrine area:
- Talk to the Cheerful Old-Timer to obtain the first clue.
- Interact with the two dolls on the eastern side of the shrine to find the second.
The clues point Musashi towards Yorimasa’s monument and then the Hachidai Rikison Shrine, located within the Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. Speak with the Stout Pillars there to learn that three of them have been stolen.
Part 2: Recover the three Stout Pillars
Leave the shrine and enter the building positioned between the other two structures to the east. Defeat the genma in the area, then follow the passage north-east around the large building. A ladder behind it leads to a bamboo platform and the Seventh Stout Pillar.
Return to the entrance area where the first group of genma appeared. More enemies will emerge from the southern building. Defeat them, then enter through the opening created by the fallen genma.
Inside, travel north to the small room containing a ladder. Before climbing, collect the one millet from the body outside the entrance.
Climb into the attic and defeat the genma inspecting the vases. Crawl beneath the nearby structure to reach the outside platform. The First Stout Pillar is visible ahead, but dropping down to collect it triggers another group of genma. Defeat them and claim the second statue.
Break out of the locker, leave the building and travel south-west. As you approach the building containing the final pillar, a random event may begin in which Musashi must rescue a villager from two genma. This event is separate from the quest, but completing these encounters provides materials for improving your armour, sword and gauntlet.
From the area near the building, head south. A small northern building contains a corpse with one soul squeezer, but it is not the route you need. Instead, collect the lesser defence talisman from the body on the ground and open the white door.
Defeat the enemies in the next room, then leave through the door on the left. Outside, you will find several vases. Smash the vase near the tree to retrieve the Third Stout Pillar.
Part 3: Defeat Rasho-Gan
With all three statues recovered, return to the Hachidai Rikison Shrine. The Stout Pillars ask Musashi to purify the Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. First, absorb the dark mass to trigger a cutscene and begin the battle with Rasho-Gan.
Rasho-Gan has two life bars, and the encounter unfolds across three stages. Early in the fight, use the bow to destroy the tether linking the boss to the pillar behind them. The second phase starts after the first life bar is depleted. The final phase begins when Rasho-Gan becomes empowered, signalled by the sword turning red.
The boss cycles through sword strikes, a charged attack that creates a large sword overhead, projectile attacks and a grapple. Watch for these two special attacks:
- When Rasho-Gan raises two arms and forms a sphere above their head, wait for the projectile to launch and shoot it with an arrow. It moves slowly and can be destroyed before reaching Musashi.
- Rasho-Gan can use a tether to lift an entire building. Shoot the tether during the brief opening and the building will fall onto the boss. Missing the timing causes damage, although the attack is not immediately fatal.
The sphere attack can occur during any of the three phases. Once Rasho-Gan reaches the empowered stage, a jumping attack is added to the pattern. Its parry timing is awkward, but you can manage the encounter without relying on it.
Quest rewards
Defeating Rasho-Gan completes “Careful What You Wish For”. The rewards are:
- Two hempen cloth
- One power stone
- One oni stone
Completion also unlocks Musashi’s first Oni Power, Oni Strength, which allows him to break malice barriers.
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