AC Shadows features five Legendary Sumi-e locations that have very specific spawn scenarios that you must follow in order for them to spawn. Once you paint all five Legendary Sumi-e, you are awarded the A Rare Occurrence trophy and achievement.
Sumi-e refers to animal paintings; in English, 'ink wash painting' would be a direct translation. To initiate the activity, sneak up to the animal as either Naoe or Yasuke and then press the L2/LT/Right Click to focus on them. You can make your character pain the animal when you're in range. This will start with a small cutscene, which will give you a close-up of the animal.
Only five specific paintings are considered Legendary Sumi-e. You will know you've done it by the Legendary reward you unlock after painting the animals. Unlike other collectables, these do not have map markers. However, they will appear on your compass when you get within 60 to 80 meters of the location, provided they have spawned.
Four of the five Sumi-e require a specific season to spawn, alongside requiring you to be at either day or night. Thankfully, the weather doesn't matter.
Quick Links
- The Legendary Wise Monkeys
- The Legendary Silver Fox
- The Legendary Red-Crowned Crane
- The Legendary Sakura Shika Deer
- The Legendary White Tanuki
Legendary Sumi-e Tips
Before we start, here are some tips about the Sumi-e locations and how you can help your chances.
Even if all the conditions are met, the Sumi-e has only a roughly 30-40% chance of actually spawning. You can reset the spawn chance by travelling 200 meters away if all the requirements are met. The best way to guarantee this is to place a marker on the location and travel around 230 meters away just to be sure. Another option is to fast travel to jump between spots near the Sumi-e location if you are struggling to run the correct distance away.
Below, you'll notice the Sumi-e icon on your compass. If you see this, then that means the Sumi-e is at the location; if not, you can safely reset it.
The Legendary Sumi-e, alongside all normal Sumi-e, is required for the 100% Completion of the game.
You can check that you are at the right location even if the Sumi-e is not spawned in. Head to the location—the Macaque one is shown below with the conditions not met. If you head to the location anyway, you will feel your controller vibrate. If you are using a mouse and keyboard, you won't.
Due to the 180-minute cycle on a season, the best way to get each of the Legendary Sumi-e is to tackle each one during the appropriate season.
Pro tip: A season won't change unless you force the change via the menu, fast travel, or complete/start a major quest.
If you are too close to the transition between day and night, the Sumi-e might not spawn. As such, it's worth waiting until the following day.
All Legendary Sumi-e are available after the story is complete and you enter the free roam section of the game.
It does not matter what order you complete the Sumi-e.
The Legendary Sumi-e Locations - Quick Reference
If you don't want to read the entire article, here are some quick references for each of the five.
The Legendary Wise Monkeys
- Sumi-e Location: Yamashiro region - Little Leaf Glade - Near the Sarumaru Shrine
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Any Season at Night
The Legendary Silver Fox
- Sumi-e Location: Kii - Nakahechi Route - Kamimisu Inari Shrine
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Autumn at Night
The Legendary Red-Crowned Crane
- Sumi-e Location: Yamashiro region - Wakasa - Lake Suigetsu
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Winter during the day
The Legendary Sakura Shika Deer
- Sumi-e Location: Yamato - Yoshino
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Spring at Night
The Legendary White Tanuki
- Sumi-e Location: Omi - The Shimmering Fields - Shigaraki Hamlet
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Summer during the day
The Legendary Wise Monkeys
- Sumi-e Location: Yamashiro region - Little Leaf Glade - Near the Sarumaru Shrine
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Any Season at Night
Step 1 - First, head to the area of the map shown in the image below. Technically, in the Yamashiro region, it's very close to the border of Iga. The location is easier to approach from Iga if you have a close, fast travel location.
Step 2 - See below for the exact location on the map. Just to the southeast, you will see the Samurai Shrine, which is a location on the map but not a fast-travel spot. By the river to the south, you'll also find a Helix Key.
Step 3 - Here is what the location looks like when the correct conditions have been met. Just get close, without being seen, and you will be able to claim the first Legendary Sumi-e.
The Legendary Silver Fox
- Sumi-e Location: Kii - Nakahechi Route - Kamimisu Inari Shrine
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Autumn at Night
Step 1 - Here is the location on the map for the Legendary Silver Fox. This is located on the very southern tip of the map and in one of the two highest-level zones in the game.
Step 2 - A close-up of the location reveals one major plus: the fast travel point just over the road. This makes it one of the best locations to do because you're able to scout it out first, then return at a later date.
Step 3 - A nice bonus about this location is that the fox statues outside will glow if the event is live. You will also see the Sumi-e icon on your compass.
Step 4 - Lastly, the Silver Fox. Approach slowly once you reach the top of the hill, this was the first of the Sumi-e that became "alert" to us despite us moving slowly.
The Legendary Red-Crowned Crane
- Sumi-e Location: Yamashiro region - Wakasa - Lake Suigetsu
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Winter during the day
Step 1 - Here is the map location of the Red-Crowned Crane. You will find it in the Wakasa region, which is the northernmost point of the map.
Step 2 - Here is a close-up of the map location. The location of the Red-Crowned Crane is slightly annoying as it's far away from a fast travel spot. However, it is in a great location to respawn the Red-Crowned Crane. So head to the location under the correct conditions, and just run between the location and a location 200+ meters away. We personally travelled East to the bridge and then turned back. It took us about five attempts to get the Crane to spawn.
Step 3 - Here is the wonderful Red-Crowned Crane. One of the harder ones to spot due to how it blends with the snow.
The Legendary Sakura Shika Deer
- Sumi-e Location: Yamato - Yoshino
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Spring at Night
Step 1 - Here is the location of the Sakura Shika Deer. Once again located in the lower half of the map, sadly there isn't a very close fast travel spot.
Step 2 - A closer look reveals the location is fairly isolated. You'll have a decent fast travel spot, but not one you can easily reset from. That said, you can run the 200m+ from the site to reset the spawn fairly easily.
Step 3 - Probably the most beautiful of the Legendry animals on the list. Coming here at night was 100% planned by Ubisoft, as the glow from the deer and the surrounded trees makes for a beautiful image.
The Legendary White Tanuki
- Sumi-e Location: Omi - The Shimmering Fields - Shigaraki Hamlet
- Spawn conditions: To have the Sumi-e spawn, you must be in Summer during the day
Pro tip: Be careful when you approach the White Tanuki as we had it run away twice when approaching from the hill. The best bet is to come via the road and crouch once you are around 40 meters away.
Step 1 - Similar to the first Sumi-e, we are heading close to the border of two regions once again. For the White Tanuki, you'll be heading to Omi, but Yamashiro is likely going to be your closest fast travel location.
Step 2 - Here is the exact location on the map. Once again the location is near another named spot, but this time fast travel spots are more limited. This one is much easier to respawn, however, as you can just run down the hill and over the bridge on your horse. It took us about five attempts under the right conditions.
Step 3 - And here you have it, the fifth and final Legendary Sumi-e.
FAQ
How Long Do Seasons Last in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Every season is divided into two half-seasons, with each half-season lasting 90 minutes of real-time, totalling 180 minutes for a complete season.
Can you Change a Season in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
You can trigger a season change at the halfway point. Enter the World section of the menu, and on the right side, you can change the season. Certain conditions, like quests or locations, will stop you from changing.
Can you do the Legendary Sumi-e Right Away?
Yes, it's possible to travel to each of the locations after Act One, once the game's open world is open. The locations are all fairly high, with level 23 being the lowest of the five. It would be advised to wait until you are 25 plus at least, as any enemy that is a skull will one-shot you if they land a hit. You can, of course, run away or stay in stealth. It's worth noting that none of these Sumi-e locations require you to fight anyone.
