Hotohori (星宿), the fourth Emperor of Kōnan, Emperor Cai Pi (彩賁帝 Saihitei) has a reputation for his beauty and his narcissism. Eighteen years old, he was born in Eiyou (Rong-Yang), the capital city of the Konan Empire, on April 2. As one of the Celestial Warriors of Suzaku, he can summon a sword; as such he is a powerful swordsman and has been additionally trained in martial arts since childhood. His birth name is Xing-shu ( 星宿 Seishuku) based on the star Star (星).
Hotohori first hears of the Priestess of Suzaku at a young age and comes to believe that the priestess would become his true love and the one who would love him for himself instead of his title. Upon meeting Miaka, he falls in love with her and becomes willing to do anything for her sake. As such, he becomes a rival to Tamahome for Miaka's affection, but eventually concedes when he realizes that Miaka will only ever love Tamahome. Hotohori eventually marries a woman named Houki, who some believe bears a striking resemblance to Nuriko. He is killed by Nakago during the battle between Konan and Kutō, leaving Houki pregnant with his son Boushin.
Raised with little warmth, Hotohori appears cold, reserved, and harsh, particularly when acting as the Emperor of Konan, but actually shows himself as a warm, peace-loving and gentle person. Known as a responsible ruler and capable of dealing with political affairs, Hotohori often places the well-being of his subjects first and forgets his own needs in the process. However, Hotohori has limited understanding of the world as a result of being raised in a sheltered environment. After meeting Miaka and the other Celestial Warriors of Suzaku, he is gradually able to act as himself and finds true friends.
In Fushigi Yûgi Eikoden, a young boy named Shu Eian, who often visits a local cemetery, emerges as Hotohori's reincarnation (as a commoner, as he had always wished). During the assembly of the Suzaku Celestial Warriors he returns last, despite Nuriko's threat to kill him with his sword when he doesn't come out.
- Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese), Kirk Thornton (English)