Ghost of Tsushima brings a lot of activities for players to engage with in its gorgeous open world. With almost all of them tied to the narrative in some form, there are a few that tie into Jin’s character progression as well. 

Mythic Tales act as standalone chapters of Tsushima’s history, highlighting the heroics of specific individuals for Jin to learn about and perhaps emulate. And since they reward him with either armor or new weapon techniques, they form a crucial part of his fight against the Mongols. One such Mythic Tale sees Jin follow the path of a legendary archer and meet one of Tsushima’s more interesting inhabitants along the way. 

Protecting the Memory of a Legend

Kaede is the protector of Tadayori’s Rest, the grave of one of Tsushima’s finest archers, whose armor has begun a race between Jin and the Mongols. Jin first learns of the armor at the Rustling Bend in Izuhara, where the story’s first act unfolds.

The musician Yamato tells Jin about Tadayori’s armor and the feats that it allowed Tadayori to achieve. The only clue Jin receives as to its whereabouts is that the great man was always partial to violet flowers. 

SUGGESTED: How to Get Tadayori’s Armor in Ghost of Tsushima

Following this trail leads Jin to the Violet Crown in Azamo Bay, where he discovers Tadayori’s grave in a cemetery and its protector.

Kaede mistakes Jin for a thief pretending to be a samurai and attacks him almost immediately, despite his protests. And she is no slouch when it comes to her swordplay. 

Like any other opponent with a sword that Jin faces one-on-one, Kaede employs a variety of attacks, feints, and unblockable thrusts to come at Jin. However, she is relatively simple to beat, requiring a little patience and timing to wear down her guard and unleash your attacks.

How to Defeat Kaede in Ghost of Tsushima

It can be a good idea to alternate between the Stone and Water stances for this fight. The Stone stance allows you to maintain your attack and defense in tandem against Kaede, as it is built for fighting against swords. 

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However, the Water stance’s flurry of heavy attacks can be great at dealing damage to either her health bar or stamina, making it very useful when you get the right opening. It can be a good idea to quickly switch over to it the minute you break her guard to charge up and unleash the attack.

Kaede is as wily as she is skilled, and her attacks reflect that trait. She suddenly sheathes her blade, taking a stance to unleash an unblockable attack that can cause a lot of problems for Jin. However, learning to sidestep and punish this attack can let you end the fight with ease. It can take a few tries to get the timing right on the dodge; however, remember not to tap the button instead of spamming it. 

It typically takes three guard breaks to finally wear down Kaede’s health bar and end the fight. She quickly realizes that Jin is the real deal and gives him another clue as to the armor’s location. 

Kaede is among the easier fights in Ghost of Tsushima, allowing you to learn the mechanics of taking on bosses in the game while providing enough of a challenge to keep Jin on his toes. 

If you’re looking to collect Tadayori’s Armor in Ghost of Tsushima, there are a few more steps to complete. It is great if an archer’s style appeals to you, with boosts to your drawing speeds, reload times, and concentration.

There is also a Hidden Altar here, which is the little shrine in the middle of the flower garden. Bow to it by swiping down on the touchpad to unlock a secret animation!

Are you looking for more mythic tales and cool armor to pick up in the game? The Kensei armor comes with a cool series of boss fights. Our Ghost of Tsushima guides are sure to help you get the most out of the island and build the legend of the Ghost with ease.