Onimusha: Way of the Sword Kiyomizu route: mirrors, web barriers and the Oni Bow

This guide covers the release-version story mission The Stage is Set at Kiyomizu: activate mirrors, trace the threads with Oni Vision, clear the temple and obtain the Oni Bow. Kiyomizu also appeared in a pre-release demo, but this route follows the release mission and does not assume demo progress transfers.

Kiyomizu area map in a Spanish-language interface; image source Vandal, usage rights unconfirmed.

Reach Nio-mon Gate

1. At a Spirit Mirror select Travel → Kiyomizu-dera Temple → The Approach. Follow the available path, defeat the Genma and open the gate, then continue along the main path.
2. Going west, watch the archers: the red danger indicator points toward an incoming arrow. You do not yet have a ranged weapon, so guard and approach the archer. Collect Hozuki in the riverbed; excess goes to the storehouse for later refills.
3. Activate the Nio-mon Gate Spirit Mirror when you reach it. It becomes a travel point and can refill available Hozuki from storage; do not mistake that for an unlimited free supply.

“Puerta Nio-mon” is Nio-mon Gate in this Spanish interface; image source Vandal, usage rights unconfirmed.

Threads blocking the path?

After the stairs, follow the tutorial to use Oni Vision, trace the threads back to their Weaver and defeat it. A later barrier requires several Weavers: one is in a small room behind the building just before the barrier; another is in the courtyard area at the end of the northern route. Clear the courtyard enemies, then find the Weaver on the northeast side. The chest released after this contains the Two Celestials Oni Armament.

Mission map in a Spanish-language interface; image source Vandal, usage rights unconfirmed.

When the direct return is blocked, open the western side-path gate to loop back to the street, then activate the Temple Grounds Spirit Mirror. You will then meet Sasaki Ganryu; after the fight, return to the mirror to restore health if needed and save consumables.

Oni Bow and easy-to-miss supplies

Follow the objective below the stage and use Oni Vision on the Oni Glyph to enter the cave. Activate the Hall Spirit Mirror along the way and find the chest holding the Oni Bow. After obtaining it, shoot the nearby lock through broken slats for a room with Cotton Cloth; on the main route, shoot the circular mechanism when it glows red to open the way.

Look for Hozuki in the riverbed before Nio-mon, plants outside the building north of the barrier and supplies near the courtyard. Map labels and mission names can differ by language or version. If the objective differs, confirm you are in this chapter before following another section blindly.

Sources: Vandal release-version Kiyomizu walkthrough, Capcom release-date change and platforms.