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Yukiri Haruna
You-kee-ree Ha-rue-nah
Nationality:
Outside of Arafel
Year of Birth:
837 NE
Gender:
Female
Hair Color:
Dark
Eye Color:
Green
Other Names:
Sitter
Article Author:
Daraus Sedai
Page Contents
Basic Information
Actions During the Story (Spoilers)
Character Summaries (Spoilers)
Basic Information
Appearance
Yukiri is described as a tiny woman, standing no more than 5’ tall with a slender or willowy build. She had green eyes, and despite her age still had the stride of a farm girl even though she had enough presence to appear as regal as a queen. Having been sworn to the Three Oaths for 133 years Yukiri has the typical ageless appearance of a modern Aes Sedai.
Personality
Yukiri is something of an enigma within the Gray Ajah, often being the last woman to stand for consensus within an Ajah known for its desire to bring harmony. Yukiri had a rebellious nature and was stubborn even as a young woman. She refused to give up, even when she struggled to learn quickly as a Novice and Accepted despite a potential in the Power that would suggest otherwise. Yukiri could surprise those around her with the curses she unleashed from time to time, her common countrywoman accent often served as a contrast during negotiations to her dignified appearance.
Spoilers Below!!!
Actions During the Story
Actions Before the Story
Yukiri has been a Sitter in the Hall since 978 NE and participated in the selection of quite a few women for Amyrlin Seat. This list includes: Sieren Vayu Raised from the Gray in 979, Marith Jaen, Raised from the Blue in 984, and Siuan Sanche, Raised from the Blue in 988. As a Sitter for the Gray for 22 years Yukiri is now one of the more senior women in the Hall of the Tower when the main series begins, coupled with her great strength in the Power, people turn to her in most situations, assuming she will take the lead. Yukiri likely had some influence on the selection of fellow Gray Sitters Varilin Zanaire in 992 and Evanellein Lorn in 997. And, as one of the most senior women within the Gray Ajah, may have been considered for the role of Head Clerk in 990 when Serancha Colvine took over the position and left the Hall of the Tower.
New Spring
Yukiri is not mentioned in the book but is known to be elected as a Sitter for the Gray Ajah in 978 NE, around the time of the start of the events of the book. Yukiri believed that Tamra Ospenya had truly died a natural death and was unaware of the Black Ajah’s involvement. As a newly raised Sitter Yukiri was almost certainly in Tar Valon throughout the events of the book and would more than likely have supported the Raising of Seiren Vayu, a fellow Gray, to the Amyrlin Seat. While not the youngest woman in the Hall at this time she would have been the least tenured Sitter when Seiren was Raised. Seiren chose Red Sisters Duahara Basaheen as her Keeper and Amira Moselle as her Mistress of Novices, which highlights the Red/Yellow/Gray political alliance as well as Seiren’s personality, but was likely frustrating to many in the Gray.
Actions Between the Books
Yukiri is an instrumental part of the Hall of the Tower during the years between New Spring and the main series, likely spending most of her time in Tar Valon, Yukiri was probably present at Jarna Malari’s funeral in 983 NE, not knowing the Gray Sister was also secretly the head of the Black Ajah Supreme Council and behind the death of Tamra Ospenya. She then takes part in raising Marith Jaen after Sieren Vayu’s untimely death in 984 NE and Siuan Sanche following Marith’s death in 988 NE. There is much upheaval during these years due to the actions of the Black and Red Ajahs during the time Cadsuane calls “The Vileness”, which likely put the established alliance between the Gray, Yellow and Red Ajah in a negative political position, enabling successive Amyrlins from the Blue Ajah.
Eye of the World
Yukiri is never mentioned, but as a Sitter she is likely in Tar Valon during the events in the book.
The Great Hunt
Although never mentioned, as a Sitter Yukiri is most likely in Tar Valon throughout the events in the book. It is likely that Yukiri is one of the Sitters Siuan considers hostile toward Moiraine and the Blue at this time.
The Dragon Reborn
Yukiri is never mentioned, but as a Sitter she is likely in Tar Valon during the events in the book.
The Shadow Rising
After learning that Siuan Sanche and Leane Sharif had secretly met with Rand al’Thor, Yukiri was one of the eleven Sitters who stood to depose Siuan and Raise Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan to the Amyrlin Seat. Yukiri is joined by fellow Gray Evanellein Lorn (who is secretly of the Black) to represent their Ajah and support the ongoing political alliance between the Gray, Yellow and the Red Ajah. Varillin Zanaire, the only Gray not involved in this action is sent by Head Clerk of the Gray, Serancha Colvine, to join the rebels and is replaced by the suspiciously young Andaya Forae.
Fires of Heaven
Yukiri has remained in the Tower Hall as a “Loyalist '' Sitter but is not seen as part of the council surrounding Elaida, instead, Evanellein and Andaya are seen representing the Gray, yet another nod to the political alliance with the Red. It is at this time when Elaida begins to plan on handing out penances to high ranking Aes Sedai as part of her plan to gain control of the Hall and the Tower.
Lord of Chaos
With the rebellion in full swing Elaida has begun to force women to resign their Seats in the Hall and begins handing penances to many women, including Yukiri who is sent to sweep floors for a period of time, a relatively light penance compared to Shemerin of the Yellow who was demoted to the Accepted.
A Crown of Swords
Yukiri is never mentioned in the book but is active in Tar Valon as a Sitter in Elaida’s Hall.
Path of Daggers
Yukiri first appears on screen in the series, one of the small group of Sitters that have noticed Seaine and Pevara sneaking about in corners and have followed them into a basement room where they have taken the Oath Rod. Along with Saerin, Doesine and Talene, Yukiri questions the pair, and jokingly comments that what these women are up to is none of their business, they could simply be pillow friends. Once the truth is revealed, Yukiri quickly takes the Oath Rod, re-swears the Oath against lying and proclaims she is not a Darkfriend. Saerin, Seaine, Pevara, and Doesine each follow suit, but when Talene balks she is shielded by Pevara and taken into custody by the collective of Sitters who are now officially hunting the Black Ajah.
Winter's Heart
Yukiri is with the Black Ajah Hunters putting Talene to the question using the Chair of Remorse, a ter’angreal used by the Aes Sedai to deter criminals by showing them their worst fears in a guided format. Yukiri is uneasy with what they are doing, but once Talene breaks and uses the Oath Rod to forswear all Oaths and re-swears the Three Oaths, admitting she is in fact a member of the Black Ajah Yukiri believes they are taking the correct course of action, and is willing to accept the punishment she believes they will all be given when discovered. Talene reveals that she believes Elaida is of the Black as well but has no proof beyond the Black leadership knowing all of Elaida’s decisions before they are announced. Saerin and Pevara correctly deduce that Talene believing this to be true does not make it actually true. Pevara and Seaine then tell the rest of the group about the group of rebel ferrets they have uncovered, and even though Yukiri argues to immediately turn them over to the law, the choice is made to use them to uncover more members of the Black Ajah.
Yukiri is seen walking through the Tower halls with fellow Gray Sister, and secretly a rebel ferret, Meidani Eschede. Yukiri is still disgusted by the existence of the ferrets and is part of the decision to force them all take a fourth Oath, of obedience to the Hunters. She is being briefed on the status of the investigation into Yellow/Black Atuan Larisett and is disappointed by the lack of progress. She notes that Talene had been able to name only Atuan, Galina Casban and Temaile Kinderode as members of the Black. Yukiri instructs Meidani to do anything possible to resume her previous friendship/romance with Elaida. Seaine, along with another ferret, Bernaile Gelbard appear and go on to discuss Elaida’s original request to Seaine as well as the too-young Sitters and the secret meetings the Ajah Heads seem to be having.
Yukiri is present in Elaida’s study, along with many Sitters, Talene Minly, Rubinde Acedon, Rina Harden, Ferane Neheran, Suana Dragand, Doesine Alwaine, and Shevan Gadarin discussing the decision to open negotiations with the rebels. Alviarin enters the room, after a prolonged absence from the Tower and notes that Talene looks to Yukiri and Doesine for guidance, and suspects something strange is going on, later arranging for Talene to be summoned before the Black Ajah Supreme Council.
Crossroads of Twilight
Yukiri is among those responsible for placing Talene in hiding while they determine how to manage the Black Ajah summons. Recent events have Yukiri considering taking on a new Warder and placing protective wards on her apartments. Pevara informs her that one of Atuan Larisett’s contacts within the Black, Marris Thornhill, was broken on the Chair of Remorse and revealed the names of her “Heart”, but the only name she could provide was a woman out of the Tower, possibly with the rebels, meaning the Hunters were effectively at a standstill. Atuan also revealed the name of Gray/Black Karale Sanghir, whose Warder, also a darkfriend, committed suicide upon discovery. Yukiri gently mocks Pevara for wanting to attack the Black Ajah and goes on to discuss the situation with the Black Tower revealed through captive Sisters. Seaine also brings news of Toveine and the others being captured by Asha’man and that Elaida had revealed to her that her instruction was to investigate Alviarin but was so circumspect that it was no wonder Seaine had misunderstood Elaida’s direction.
Yukiri taught Pevara the Weave for bonding a Warder, but did not surmise the reason a Red would ask for the information.
Knife of Dreams
Yukiri is with the rest of the Black Ajah Hunters when Meidani brings Egwene into their meeting. Yukiri is less than pleased with Meidani and is aggressive toward Egwene, going so far as to flicking her with a flow of Air when Egwene speaks out about the fourth Oath on Meidani and the other ferrets. Egwene is surprised that Yukiri defers to Saerin as they are close in strength, and Browns tend to be less forceful.
Yukiri is seen several times during Egwene’s captivity, becoming an ally to the captive Amyrlin Seat and eventually giving her a large amount of respect, eventually standing to Raise Egwene to the Stole and Staff for the re-unified Tower.
The Gathering Storm
Yukiri goes on to be a powerful ally to Egwene and continues her role as one of the Hunters for Black Ajah, now looking for the true identity of Mesaana, working to identify how Mesaana may have been able to circumvent the Oaths and digging up information on Mesaana’s character and status as a Forsaken.
Yukiri participates in Nynaeve’s test for the Shawl and despite being unhappy with Nynaeve’s stance on balefire, chooses to pass Nynaeve.
She supports Egwene when Lelaine and Romanda attempt to rally the Hall to resist Egwene’s leadership and dryly notes that the Sitters in opposition have shown poor judgement and deserved the backlash of not being allowed to deal with Rand.
Yukiri is present when Egwene arranges a bargain with the Wise Ones and Wind Finders and then survives the early stages of battle of tel’aran’rhiod.
Towers of Midnight
Yukiri is stationed in the Aes Sedai command tent with Siuan Sanche and Gareth Bryne, seen utilizing gateways in a quite innovative manner. Yukiri helps Siuan Delve and Heal soldiers with the use of a stone flower angreal and then saves many lives when she creates a cushion of Air to slow the fall through a gateway in the sky after the Sharan’s ambush the Aes Sedai position, Yukiri even believes this weave could lead to actual flight.
Yukiri is with Egwene throughout much of the Last Battle, acting as advisor and witnesses Egwene creating the anti-balefire weave The Flame of Tar Valon.
Yukiri is last seen after the Last Battle as part of the group speaking to Rodel Ituralde about taking the Throne of Arad Doman and in one final moment along with Saerin, Lyrelle and Rubinde convincing Cadsuane to become Amyrlin Seat.
A Memory of Light
Character Summaries
Special Abilities
Yukiri is one of the strongest living modern Aes Sedai with a strength level of 14 (2). She is the strongest known living member of the Gray Ajah mentioned throughout the main series, she was matched by two women from the Gray, however, both Aisha Raveneos and Lyrelle Tarsi were murdered by the Black Ajah in 979 NE. Yukiri’s strength placed her as one of the top 20 Aes Sedai who were living at the time of the main series events, only Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan, Moiraine Damodred, Romanda Cassin and Lelaine Akashi of living Aes Sedai were confirmed as stronger than Yukiri prior to the arrival of Nynaeve, Egwene and Elayne. Kerene Nagashi (level 11) and Meilyn Arganya (level 10), were also known to be stronger than Yukiri, but along with an estimated 30-50 senior Aes Sedai who may have matched Yukiri’s strength they were murdered by the Black Ajah during events knows as “The Vileness” between 978-985 NE.
Her strength was the equal of women such as Sheriam, Pevara and Saerin but due to her longer training time she would technically fall below most of them in the overall Tower hierarchy. However, her tenure as a Sitter and a no-nonsense personality allowed her to take the lead over all but Saerin in nearly every situation.
She had more than enough strength to Travel and was one of the Gray Sisters who showed strong abilities with the Talent, being able to manipulate her gateways to create and hide viewing windows high in the sky with excellent military applications. Yukiri was also seen innovating with the Power to create a near flight-like weave that she used to save herself and others in the Aes Sedai command tent during the Sharan sneak attack on their position. She was more than likely a very effective combat channeler; surviving the Seanchan Raid as well as engaging the Black Ajah in tel’aran’rhiod and going on to fight in and survive the Last Battle. She had at least a modicum of Talent with Healing and Delving, working with other Aes Sedai in the Last Battle to save lives, although her abilities are implied to be less than Siuan’s as the (then) much weaker woman appears to be leading in the situation.
Notable Possessions
Yukiri is never directly associated with many objects of the Power, but as a Sitter she would have access to the store of objects of the Power within the Tower. She, along with the rest of the Black Ajah Hunters use the Oath Rod on multiple occasions and she used an angreal shaped like a stone flower during the Last Battle.
Legacy
Yukiri is known to have survived the Last Battle and was last seen as part of the group of Sitters pushing Cadsuane to take up the mantle of Amyrlin Seat. With this scene we know Yukiri has now been involved in the Raising of six women to Amyrlin in her tenure as a Sitter: Sieren, Marith, Siuan, Elaida, Egwene and Cadsuane.
Yukiri has many years yet to live as an Aes Sedai, even under the shortened life span from the Oaths. Given her strength in the Power, involvement in the Purge of the Black Ajah, re-unification of the Tower, updating of rules in the Hall and leadership participation during the Last Battle, Yukiri will likely be a leader among the Aes Sedai for at least another 100-150 years.
Along with Saerin, Yukiri is something of a mirror image and counterpoint to rebel Sitters Romanda and Lelaine. Yukiri, while an early antagonist, learns to respect and support Egwene and goes on to illustrate that even the most politically engaged Aes Sedai can be taken in a positive light. The name Yukiri is similar to many female names of Japanese origin and thematically fits with her Borderland origins.
In Other Media
No announcement regarding Yukiri’s character has been made for the upcoming Wheel of Time TV series being produced by Amazon Studios. However, the character could make an appearance as early as season one if producers choose to take a deeper look at the Hall of the Tower or have New Spring scenes. They could also choose to expand the character or combine her role with another Aes Sedai to simplify the TV adaptation.
