Grandpa Higurashi
Kagome's grandfather. He is often covering for Kagome's absences at school with interesting excuses, which make Kagome's friends worry a lot about her. Grandpa is identified by his clothing as a traditional Japanese Shinto Priest, apparently the current custodian/guardian/caretaker/owner of the Higurashi Shrine which has been in the family for generations. He continually tries to inject some education of the history of the family shrine into everyday life - even to the point of discussing the "history of these pickles" much to Kagome's dismay.