Hotohori's given name was Saihitei.  He is a member of the suzaku seven, sworn to protect the priestess of suzaku.  He is also the emperor of the Konan empire.  He is very kind and gentle.  Hotohori rules well, caring greatly for his people.  He is a bit vain though.  He has great courage and spirit.  Hotohori is dignified and honorable, wise and intelligent.  He is generally mild-mannered, but when angered, or when protecting those he loves, he can be a fierce opponent.   He takes his duties seriously, and must stay behind many times, trusting the others to take care of Miaka, as his duties call him to be on the throne.  When he is not with them, he prays for their safety and is there in spirit.  Although his advisors push him to choose an empress, and gather many women for him to choose from, he is more interested in protecting his country than finding a wife.  He falls in love with Miaka, though, choosing to make her his empress.  Upon seeing that Miaka's heart belongs to another, Hotohori gently tries to persuade her to love him.  However, when he sees Miaka has made up her mind, he steps aside gracefully, even though it kills him inside. When Hotohori was a child, his mother was very controlling.  She fought fiercely to secure his future and made sure no one would stand in his way to the throne.  She was responsible for his sovereignty, however, Hotohori viewed himself as a puppet in the shadow of his mother's iron will.  As a child, and even into adulthood, Hotohori had been very lonely.  One day, he was told of the legend of a girl from another world, that would come and summon suzaku, saving their land.  Young Hotohori dreamed of the day when he would meet her, for maybe she could save him from his loneliness as well.  In addition, he thought that she would be able to love him as a man rather than just the next emperor.  Hotohori had dreamed of what the priestess would be like, and had pictured someone like Miaka.  This is why he tells Miaka that he has always loved her. He possesses a holy sword and displays great swordsmanship.  He also has a strong and noble spirit and powers of protection.  He has been seen to levitate (when he saves Miaka from the lake). His Kanji of Suzaku can be found on the side of neck and its meaning is star.