The openly homosexual and sadistic wielder of a sneaky, retractable sword named "Jakotsutou," Jakotsu is one of the more skilled fighters of the Shichinintai (Band of Seven) and was placed third in command. He seemed to be the first of the Shichinintai to have come into contact with Bankotsu and was with him before the Shichinintai were assembled as a group. Bankotsu and Jakotsu were very close and according to Bankotsu, Jakotsu was the only person he trusted.

Upon hearing news of InuYasha from Kohaku, Jakotsu immediately developed a bloodthirstly and slightly sexual fascination with him. He spends the majority of the arc trying to find, battle, and kill him. After meeting InuYasha, Jakotsu was frequently swooning and petulantly protesting when he was denied confrontation. He also flew into a rage when Sango interferes in his first conflict with InuYasha, and at one moment Jakotsu openly said he finds Miroku good-looking too.