Guide to all five Legendary Sumi-e Locations: how to find them, and what you get for unlocking them in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Table of contents
What is Sumi-e
Sumi-e is a Japanese painting technique that represents a philosophy based on harmony, simplicity, and the expression of the essence of nature. The term is composed by the words ‘Sumi’ = black ink and ‘E’ = painting. Which translates to ‘ink painting’.
It is distinguished by the exclusive use of black ink, how it values space, the expressive and fluid strokes and the inspiration it takes from natural elements like animals, flowers, landscapes, etc.
Sumi-e is viewed not only as art but also as a form of meditation that reflects the state of mind within each stroke.
There are two types of sumi-e in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. You can spot and draw normal animals. You can also find extremely rare unique legendary animals. This guide shows you the locations of the latter.
Helpful Tips and Notes before start searching
There are some aspects you need to consider before looking for these Sumi-e opportunities. The most important one is that four of them can only be found during a specific season.
Each season lasts around three hours, when that time has happened in-game you will be able to change seasons manually or the game is going to do it on its own after fast traveling or completing a mission.
The best thing you can do is progress through the game and look for these legendary animals when the next season begins. They are all spread across the map, which means that some are located in higher-level areas than others.
If you want to do them all in one sit, I recommend that you are at least level 32, otherwise you might struggle with some enemies.
Some of them spawn during the day while others at night. They don’t appear during day/night transitions, wait until the sun is out or until it’s completely dark. Nothing in between.
Even if all requirements are met, there is no guarantee that they will spawn. You can reset the spawn by moving 200-500 meters away. Just place a marker on the map to make sure it’s the right distance.
If they spawn, you will see an icon at the top of your screen. Just like any other point of interest.
Look for signs around you. Sometimes there would be NPCs discussing the legendary animal’s presence in the area or you might spot altars, statues and other objects providing clues that you are on the right path or near the correct spot.
Legendary Sumi-e Locations
The order listed below is just how I did them, it doesn’t matter which one you do first or last.
Legendary Wise Macaques Location
The Three Wise Monkeys are located in Little Leaf Glade, at the top of Sarumaru Shrine in Yamashiro. Take the stone stairs behind the shrine. They will lead you to the statue right on the cliff’s edge. That’s where the monkeys will be. They spawn in all seasons but only at night.
You can approach slowly from the left, where the big log is. Hide behind the bush and come as close as needed to start painting.
When the maxim “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” arrived in Japan, it was translated as mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru. Since the sound of “zaru” is a modified pronunciation of the word saru, or monkey, the phrase blossomed into a pun in Japan, and the image of monkeys covering their eyes, ears, and mouths became a visual representation of the concept.
The legendary treasure chest containing the Deathbloom kusarigama is in this area, and you can pick it up while you are at the shrine.
Legendary Red Crowned Crane Location
The Legendary Red Crowned Crane is located at Lake Suigetsu, in Wakasa, Yamashiro. It only spawns in Winter during the day.
In Japanese folklore, these majestic aquatic cranes are regarded as a symbol of grace, joy, good luck, and longevity. Red-crowned cranes dance together both as a mating ritual and to deepen the bonds of their lifelong partnership.
Legendary Sakura Shika Deer Location
The Legendary Sakura Shika Deer is located at on the west side of Yoshino, in Yamato. It only spawns in Spring during the night.
Like a beast that stepped out of a dream, this legendary shika deer is larger than most unusually pale fur and a spray of cherry blossoms blooming from its antlers. The creature’s ethereal beauty is surpassed only by its rarity; this legendary deer is a sight that few ever see and fewer still manage to capture.
Legendary White Tanuki Location
The Legendary White Tanuki is located southwest side of The Shimmering Fields, in Omi. It only spawns in Summer during the day.
From the main road connecting Mouth of Seta and The Shimmering Fields, look for the branching path to the south with stone statues of the legendary animal.
Follow that path past the Sh9igaraki Hamlet until it leads you to the marked area on the map below. The path is filled with stone statues of this animal.
A deeply ingrained part of Japanese folklore, tanuki are often portrayed as tricksters and shapeshifters. They are seen as joyful, mischievous, and sometimes silly creatures, but always keen for a good meal or a strong drink. In the folk tale Bunbuku Chagama, a half-kettle tanuki creature showers wealth on a man that treats him kindly. But watch out before brefiending one; in other stories, the tanuki’s magic turns pebbles and leaves into gold, only for them to turn back to detritus when it comes time for you to settle the bill.
Legendary Silver Fox Location
The Legendary Silver Fox is located at the Kamimisu Inari Shrine, in the Nakakechi Route, Kii. It only spawns in Autumn during the night.
With roots in both Chinese and Japanese mythology, the supernatural multi-tailed fox is a commonly appearing folktale character, sometimes portrayed as a good omen and other times as an ill-bearing trickster. The number of tails on the creature often correlates to the fox spirit’s age and magical power, with a maximum of nine tails.
Rewards Preview
As with every other Sumi-e, you will receive a decoration that can be placed in your Kakurega. Since these are legendary, you can only place one of each. The first image is a preview of how it looks in the Kakurega while the second one is from the Codex.
Wise Macaques
Red Crowned Crane
Sakura Shika Deer
White Tanuki
Silver Fox
Achievement
Completing this activity unlocks the achievement A Rare Occurrence. You can check our guide to all Achievements in Assassin’s Creed Shadows to find out how to unlock all of them.
