Grandpa Higurashi

Kagome's grandfather. He is often covering for Kagome's absences at school with interesting excuses, which make Kagome's friends worry a lot about her.

Grandpa is identified by his clothing as a traditional Japanese Shinto Priest, apparently the current custodian/gaurdian/caretaker/owner of the Higurashi Shrine ( 日暮神社 ) which has been in the family for generations.

Grandpa continually tries to inject some education of the history of the family shrine into everyday life - even to the point of discussing the "history of these pickles" much to Kagome's dismay.

Grandpa maintains the shrine grounds, buildings, the sacred tree, handles offerings, and the various Shinto religious ceremonies that are required. He tries to bring in some income to pay the bills by selling various religious paraphanalia, such as the Sacred Jewel key chains (日暮神社 四魂の玉 キ一ホルダ一 ).

He is skilled in handling objects brought to him that need to be blessed, cleansed, or sealed. We find that his abilities save him from death in episode 11, "Terror of the Ancient Noh Mask". But Grandpa's powers are clearly overcome by Inuyasha as he breaks through Grandpa's Ofuda - or "written oracles" in episode 4 "Yura of the Demon-Hair" from http://inuyasha.yoll.net/scripts:

KAG:  (to GRA who’s drinking tea calmly) Huh? Sealed?

GRA:  Yes… With written oracles to ward off evil spirits and seal off the entry to the netherworld. The well will never be opened again.

Sota: Gramps… Will the seals on the well ever come off?

GRA:  Never. Each seal contains powerful words of magic that can’t be broken. No matter what kind of evil spirit, it will be impossible.

The door behind KAG slams open suddenly. It’s INU. The family stares at INU, shocked.

KAG:  Huh… Inuyasha?

INU:  (pissed) You…! Who said you can go home?!

KAG:  (puts down her bowl) You… Where’d you come from?

INU:  (storms next to KAG) The well! Where else?

KAG:  The well? But it’s…!

GRA:  (interrupting, firm tone) Do not lie! Those oracles have been used of this shrine since ancient times and cannot fail!

INU:  (holds up a piece of charm) Oracle? You mean, this flimsy piece of paper? Didn’t work!