Chapter 6 (The Curse of Kiyomizu-zaka Slope) investigates the growing threat around Kiyomizu-zaka Slope. Returns to the Kiyomizu area for a climactic encounter. Estimated 2 hours.
1. Chapter Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Chapter | 6 — "The Curse of Kiyomizu-zaka Slope" |
| Estimated Time | 2 – 2.5 hours |
| Difficulty | Medium – Hard |
| Setting | Kiyomizu-zaka Slope → Arashiyama Bamboo Grove |
| Story Summary | The events surrounding Kiyomizu-zaka take center stage. Musashi returns to familiar territory for a climactic confrontation with Sasaki Ganryu in the Bamboo Grove, while freeing civilians caught in the curse. |
| Key Unlocks | Kiyomizu Remnant (lore), Bamboo Charm (Genma damage up), Sasaki's enhanced moveset mastery |
| Recommended Level | 14 – 16 |
Chapter 6 brings Musashi back to Kiyomizu-zaka Slope, but the area has transformed. The corruption has spread, the Genma are more aggressive, and Sasaki Ganryu — defeated once already — has resurfaced in Arashiyama with an enhanced moveset. Expect a Medium-Hard difficulty chapter that culminates in a memorable rematch and the "Are We Done?" trophy unlock.
2. Main Objectives
- Return to Kiyomizu-zaka Slope — re-traverse familiar territory with new enemies.
- Investigate the curse source — locate the corrupted shrine at the top of the slope.
- Encounter Sasaki Ganryu (second time, Arashiyama) — rematch with enhanced moveset.
- Defeat new Genma variants — Bamboo Wraiths and curse-infused Brutes.
- Free captive civilians — 3–5 villagers in the Bamboo Grove count toward Citizen Saver progress.
3. Walkthrough
Section 1 — Return to Kiyomizu
The chapter opens at the bottom of Kiyomizu-zaka Slope. The slope looks similar to your first visit, but the Genma are denser and the cursed villagers now wander freely.
- Re-traverse the slope, but expect new enemy placements — Bamboo Wraiths and curse-infused Brutes replace the basic Genma from Chapter 2.
- Use Oni Vision (R3 + L3) to highlight the curse source — a glowing red shrine at the top of the slope.
- Do not engage the cursed villagers here — they will turn hostile if attacked but yield no reward. Skip them and focus on the Genma.
Section 2 — Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
From the top of the slope, take the hidden pathway west into Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This is the chapter's main setpiece and contains the Sasaki Ganryu rematch.
- Hidden pathway: behind the cursed shrine, break the cracked wall with an Oni Gauntlet slam.
- The grove is tall, narrow, and densely packed with bamboo — visibility is poor. Use Oni Vision constantly.
- Sasaki Ganryu ambush: he appears at the second clearing after a brief cutscene.
- "Are We Done?" trophy triggers the moment you defeat Sasaki Ganryu in this encounter.
Section 3 — Civilian Rescue
The Bamboo Grove hides 3–5 captive villagers trapped by Genma Brutes. Freeing them counts toward the Citizen Saver trophy (30 villagers total, Retrogems).
- Villager 1: tied up in the first clearing (right side).
- Villager 2: trapped in a bamboo cage in the second clearing (left side, near the Sasaki arena).
- Villager 3: in a hidden alcove behind the third clearing (use the Oni Gauntlet slam on a cracked wall).
- Villager 4 & 5: optional — found by exploring the bamboo paths off the main trail.
- Freeing a villager automatically sends them to safety and grants a small soul reward.
Two civilians in the hidden bamboo areas are easy to miss. If you skip the cracked wall behind the third clearing and the off-trail bamboo paths, you lose 2 Citizen Saver progress points. The Citizen Saver trophy requires 30 villagers total — every missed civilian hurts.
4. Boss Fight — Sasaki Ganryu (Arashiyama Rematch)
Sasaki Ganryu (Arashiyama)
Sasaki Ganryu returns with an enhanced moveset from the Carnage list. The fight is faster and more aggressive than your first encounter — expect new combo strings and a third phase.
Quick tips:
- 9 attack patterns (up from 7). New: a 4-hit combo ending in a wide AoE slam, and a bamboo-storm projectile attack.
- Three phases: Phase 1 (katana), Phase 2 (flame attacks, like Chapter 3), Phase 3 (bamboo + flame combo — exclusive to Arashiyama).
- Parry timing remains tight (~4 frames). Parry Window+ skill is required.
- Issen his overhead slam — same as Chapter 3. The new bamboo-storm projectile is your second-best Issen target.
- Don't button-mash. He punishes greed harder than in the first fight.
Recommended build: Parry Window+ (max), Health Pool III, Issen Mastery (max), Bamboo Charm (Genma damage up).
Rewards: 2500 yellow souls, Sasaki's Remembrance (cosmetic katana), Bamboo Charm (atk vs Genma), "Are We Done?" trophy.
→ View the full Sasaki Ganryu boss guide (attack patterns, frame data, Issen timing)
Are We Done?
Defeat Sasaki Ganryu for the second time in Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Triggers automatically on the final blow.
5. Key Items & Collectibles
| Item | Location | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Kiyomizu Remnant (lore) | Cursed shrine at the top of the slope | Lore collectible — counts toward 23 Genma Notes (Retrogems) |
| Bamboo Charm | Sasaki Ganryu boss reward | +15% attack vs Genma for the rest of the chapter |
| Hozuki Pouch x2 | Bamboo Grove clearings | Healing consumables |
| Genma Note | Hidden alcove in Bamboo Grove | Lore collectible |
| Sasaki's Remembrance (cosmetic) | Boss reward | Display katana — not equipable |
| Stout Pillar (grove) | Hidden behind cracked wall in third clearing | Counts toward 8 Kyoto Mysteries (Retrogems) |
| 3–5 rescued villagers | Bamboo Grove clearings | Counts toward Citizen Saver trophy (30 villagers total) |
6. Missables
- 2 civilians in hidden bamboo areas — the cracked-wall alcove in the third clearing and the off-trail bamboo paths. Save before the Sasaki fight to recover if needed.
- Stout Pillar in grove — behind the cracked wall in the third clearing. If you skip the wall, you lose the Kyoto Mysteries progress.
- Genma Note — only accessible from the hidden alcove, which is the same cracked-wall path. Both items are lost if you skip the wall.
7. Soul Farming Opportunities
| Location | Enemies | Souls / Clear | Respawns? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo Grove (full) | Bamboo Wraiths + curse Brutes | ~800 yellow | Yes (chapter select) |
| Sasaki Ganryu (Arashiyama) | 1 enhanced boss | +2500 yellow on first clear | Yes (chapter select) |
8. Chapter Checklist
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