In the early stages of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, players are tasked with locating three sentient idols known as Stout Pillars, which have been pilfered from the Hachidai Rikison Shrine in eastern Kyoto. Recovering these idols is crucial to progressing the "Careful What You Wish For" quest. This guide details the locations of each Stout Pillar.
Players will first learn of the missing Stout Pillars upon their initial visit to Hachidai Rikison Shrine and investigation of Yorimasa's monument. While the general areas for each Pillar are marked on the in-game map, their exact locations require thorough exploration.
Stout Pillar No. One
The first Stout Pillar is found alone amidst rubble, separate from its companions. To reach it, players must navigate through a residential complex and ascend a ladder into an attic. Inside the attic, a Genma enemy awaits; this can be dealt with via a stealth assassination. After dispatching the enemy, crawl through the debris and rafters to reach a courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, the Pillar's lament about its solitude can be heard. However, the area teems with Genma enemies that must be defeated. Once the enemies are cleared, the Stout Pillar can be collected from the roof rubble.
Stout Pillar No. Three
The second Pillar is located in a courtyard filled with vases and boxes. Several Genma are positioned in nearby buildings, necessitating combat to reach the Pillar's location.
The Pillar's disembodied voice will remark on its inability to see, hinting at its concealment within one of the vases. Players must smash the vases to free the idol.
Stout Pillar No. Seven
The final Stout Pillar can be found on a rooftop. Access is granted by climbing a ladder and traversing a bamboo walkway. The player will know they are in the correct vicinity when they hear the Pillar comment on its elevated position.
Ascend the ladder and proceed across the walkway to find the Pillar.
After collecting all three Stout Pillars, return them to Hachidai Rikison Shrine. This action will reveal a dark mass polluting the area and uncover the reason behind the locals' self-mutilation. A boss fight will ensue.
Successfully gathering the Stout Pillars concludes this segment of Miyamoto Musashi's quest to master the Oni powers and defend Kyoto from demonic forces. Further assistance for gameplay mechanics such as parrying, deflecting, and Issen techniques, as well as puzzle solutions like the Underground Laboratory mask puzzle, are available in separate guides.