Moronobu Hishikawa

Debut: Episode 5 "Artistic Anarchy"

A feline ukiyo-e artist with a captivating smile. (He is one of several actual historical personages to appear in Samurai Champloo.) His long fingernails are a sign he does not do manual labor. He appears first in the restaurant scene, offering Fuu (and, unwittingly, her two companions) a free meal. He convinces Fuu to pose for him semi-nude

[Spoiler] knowing that she will be taken by slave traders and the portrait used as advertisement. Because she was sweet to him and liked his picture, he has misgivings and tries to free her, but gets caught by the three Punk Stooges. Mugen shows up and demands that he talk, and Moronobu spills the whole slave trade story. He ends up trying to leave for Europe where his art will be appreciated, with a stunning picture of Fuu in his luggage. Manzou tells us in the end narration that he was caught and deported to Japan, but his picture of Fuu stayed on in Holland to inspire Vincent van Gogh. [/Spoiler]

(Source: spookhouse.net)