A distant cousin (by adoption) of Alexei Andreev/Alexei Salvatore/Alexei Tora. One of Tsuriyama San's uncles was Tora Sensei, the man who served Alexei's family before their fall, and who raised Alexei from his childhood on Silver Mountain in Maskovy. Tsuriyama San signed on in a contest of Swordplay in Tarahin, the prize of which was supposed to have been the Bladeslicer, the gifted sword of skill. It was found, however, that the sword in question was actually the sword of suicide.

Tsuriyama San and Alexei became good friends, and when Alexei became king of Tarahin unexpectedly and withdrew from the race, Tsuriyama insisted that Alexei be given a chance at the title in one final round which Tsuriyama San won, sealing his title as greatest swordsman in the world. When it was found that the prize of the contest was not true, Tsuriyama San took it in stride--the prize of the contest to him was to have shown himself victorious, not to obtain a sword. Even so, Alexei decreed that Tarahin would keep track of the rightful descendants of Tora Tsuriyama, until such time as Blade Slicer came into Tarahin's possession, and could be delivered to its rightful owner.