Major Boss Preparation Checklist

Things to Do Before Genichiro Ashina

Genichiro Ashina atop the lookout tower is Sekiro's first true skill-check. Before triggering this 3-phase duel, you can explore Ashina Outskirts, Hirata Estate, Ashina Castle, and even parts of Senpou Temple to collect up to 16+ Prayer Beads, 7 Gourd Seeds, 8 Prosthetic Arms, and an extra Resurrection Node!

16+
Prayer Beads (4 Necklaces!)
7
Healing Gourd Charges
8
Prosthetic Arm Tools
3
Resurrection Nodes (Sakura Droplet)

1. Up to 16 Prayer Beads to Collect Before Genichiro

1. General Naomori Kawarada — Ashina Outskirts (Gate Path). Stealth from left roofs.
2. Chained Ogre — Ashina Outskirts (Stairway). Use Flame Vent + stealth deathblow first.
3. General Tenzen Yamauchi — Ashina Outskirts (Courtyard past Ogre). Clear adds first.
4. Crow's Bed Memorial Mob — Ashina Outskirts (High cliff peak above Stairway idol). Buy for 500 Sen.
5. Castle Gate Attic Chest — Ashina Outskirts (Tengu's building). Grapple into ceiling rafters.
6. Blazing Bull — Ashina Outskirts. Slay the flaming bull before castle gates.
7. Shinobi Hunter Enshin — Hirata Estate (Bamboo Thicket bridge). Master Mikiri Counter.
8. Juzou the Drunkard — Hirata Estate (Main Hall). Ally with Nogami Gensai in the reeds.
9. Audience Chamber Hidden Wall — Hirata Estate. Hug warrior painting scroll wall.
10. Seven Ashina Spears (Yamauchi) — Ashina Reservoir (Moon-view Tower). Stealth in through hole.
11. Lone Shadow Longswordsman — Ashina Reservoir. Plunge through prologue well hole.
12. General Kuranosuke Matsumoto — Ashina Castle Grand Stairs. Kill 4 riflemen first.
13. Ashina Dojo Secret Room Chest — Ashina Castle. Hug armor wall below Dojo.
14. Ashina Dojo Elite Jinsuke Saze — Ashina Castle Dojo. Double-deflect sword gleam.
15. Dungeon Memorial Mob — Abandoned Dungeon (Underground Waterway). Buy for 1,400 Sen.
16. Armored Warrior (Optional Early Senpou) — Senpou Temple (Shugendo). Break posture and kick off bridge!

2. Up to 7 Gourd Seeds (8 Healing Charges)

Seed #1: General Naomori Kawarada drop (Ashina Outskirts Gate Path).
Seed #2: Chained Ogre gatehouse loft hole (Ashina Outskirts Stairway).
Seed #3: Crow's Bed Memorial Mob purchase for 1,000 Sen (Outskirts Cliff).
Seed #4: Upper Tower Antechamber chest (Ashina Castle).
Seed #5: Info Broker Fujioka purchase for 2,000 Sen (Save him from castle alley).
Seed #6: Senpou Temple Monks' Hall entrance (Before mummified monk statue).
Seed #7: Sunken Valley Under-Shrine cliff alcove hut.

3. 8 Prosthetic Arms & 4 Esoteric Texts

Loaded Shuriken: Gatehouse loft corpse at Outskirts Gate Path.
Shinobi Firecracker: Crow's Bed Mob merchant (500 Sen).
Flame Vent: Bandit campfire bonfire in Hirata Estate.
Loaded Axe: Garden shrine house in Hirata Estate.
Mist Raven: Hidden well bamboo path pagoda in Hirata Estate.
Loaded Spear: Ashina Reservoir gatehouse (requires Gatehouse Key).
Sabimaru: Antechamber bottom floor atrium chest.
Loaded Umbrella (Iron Fortress): Blackhat Badger at Old Grave (1,600 Sen).
4 Esoteric Texts: Shinobi (1st skill point), Prosthetic (fit 3 tools), Ashina (Tengu Rats quest), Senpou (cave tunnel altar).

4. Defeat Lady Butterfly & Unlock 3rd Resurrection Node

Clear the basement of Hirata Estate to slay Lady Butterfly. Claim her Memory for +1 Attack Power and the Sakura Droplet. Speak to Lord Kuro in the prologue / castle to gain your 3rd Resurrection Node before fighting Genichiro!

Key Genichiro Duel Tips: