Seigaku tennis club's captain during Tezuka's freshman year. He was the only reason Tezuka stayed with the tennis club after the latter received an injury from an egotistical senpai. He is described as not being very strong, and lost to Tezuka handily during his time as captain. Eccentric, insightful, and gentle, Yamato always wore a pair of dark sunglasses and is described as "flowing as the rivers do". In the anime, coach Ryuzaki asks him for his guidance when they go to a training camp to prepare for the Kantō conference final against Rikkai. In the manga, he reappears New Prince of Tennis without his trademark sunglasses as a player on the No. 3 court, and plays against Tezuka one more time. This time, Yamato gives Tezuka a run for his money by showing his ability to trick opponents into thinking they're hitting the ball when they're actually nowhere near it. Yamato reveals that shortly before Tezuka's arrival at Seigaku, he had severely injured his arm to help Seigaku win and had to undergo surgery and rehab afterwards in order to play again. Knowing that the fear of losing and disappointing others is the only thing holding Tezuka back, he encourages Tezuka to play for himself rather than the team, advice that allows Tezuka to finally access the Pinnacle of Perfection. Tezuka is able to beat Yamato after this, and a satisfied Yamato decides to retire from competitive tennis.