She commands a lot of respect, so while kind hearted, circumstances have made her a tough woman. She keeps her son in line, watches over many other people in the Ha Tribe, and radiates a motherly authority. Takiko finds a lot of solace in Borate's unconditional motherly love, especially at a time where she has just lost her own mother, and is struggling to come to terms with being the Priestess of Genbu. When the tribe is under attack, Borate throws herself in the way of harm, taking several arrows in the back to protect Takiko. It's not until then that Takiko realises how much the people in Hokkan value her, and she then accepts her role as Priestess of Genbu.