Guide
How the kit works
Start by putting an element on an opponent, then use Chihayaburu. It pulls nearby objects and enemies toward Kazuha, launches opponents and lifts him into the air. Press it for a quicker use, including in mid-air, or hold it for greater Anemo damage over a larger area.
Within 10 seconds while airborne after the skill, use the plunge from Garyuu Bladework (NA) to perform Midare Ranzan. Its damage becomes Anemo Plunging Attack damage, and landing creates another small wind tunnel. If Chihayaburu absorbed Hydro, Pyro, Cryo or Electro, Soumon Swordsmanship adds damage equal to 200% of ATK in that element to the plunge. Each skill use can absorb one element.
Use Kazuha Slash when its field will help the team. The first slash deals area Anemo damage, then Autumn Whirlwind periodically damages enemies in range. The field can absorb Hydro, Pyro, Cryo or Electro once per use and deal extra damage of that type.
Poetics of Fuubutsu rewards Swirl or Stellar Swirl with a party-wide 0.04% Elemental DMG Bonus per point of Kazuha's Elemental Mastery for the element absorbed by Swirl. It lasts 8 seconds, and bonuses for different elements can coexist.
Build and why
Use four pieces of Viridescent Venerer. The set increases Swirl damage by 60% and lowers the target's resistance to the element infused in Swirl by 40% for 10 seconds. That gives the rest of the team a reason to attack with the element Kazuha swirled. It also increases Stellar Swirl damage and has a separate Cryo resistance effect for that reaction.
Thundering Fury is a situational alternative for teams using reactions listed in its effect: those reactions can reduce Elemental Skill cooldown by 1 second, at most once every 0.8 seconds. Its two-piece Electro DMG Bonus does not boost Kazuha's Anemo damage. Desert Pavilion Chronicle is an option for a build focused on his attacks: a Charged Attack hit grants attack speed and a 40% Normal, Charged and Plunging Attack damage bonus for 15 seconds.
For a support alternative, four pieces of Instructor give the party 120 Elemental Mastery for 8 seconds after Kazuha triggers an Elemental Reaction. You can also use two pieces each of Wanderer's Troupe and Gilded Dreams; each two-piece effect gives 80 Elemental Mastery. Neither option provides the resistance reduction of Viridescent Venerer.
Choose Elemental Mastery on the goblet and circlet, and Elemental Mastery or Energy Recharge on the sands. Look for Energy Recharge, Elemental Mastery and CRIT Rate in substats. Elemental Mastery strengthens his party bonus; Energy Recharge helps him use his Burst; CRIT Rate is useful with Favonius Sword.
Freedom-Sworn is the top weapon choice. Its listed effect increases damage by 10% and gains Sigils when the wielder triggers reactions. Xiphos' Moonlight converts Elemental Mastery into Energy Recharge for Kazuha and gives nearby teammates 30% of that bonus. Favonius Sword is another option: CRIT hits have a 60% chance to generate particles, once every 12 seconds.
Leveling priority
A reasonable order is Chihayaburu, then Kazuha Slash, followed by Garyuu Bladework (NA). The skill and Burst are regular sources of Anemo damage. Do not forget the Normal Attack talent if you use the plunge often: Midare Ranzan counts as Plunging Attack damage.
For maximum ascension, gather Sea Ganoderma, Marionette Core and the Vayuda Turquoise Sliver, Fragment, Chunk and Gemstone materials. You also need Treasure Hoarder Insignia, Silver Raven Insignia, Golden Raven Insignia and Mora.
Talent upgrades use Teachings of Diligence, Guide to Diligence, Philosophies of Diligence, the same three Insignia materials, Gilded Scale and Mora. Taking all three talents to their maximum also requires three Crown of Insight.
Constellations worth it
Yamaarashi Tailwind is the standout upgrade in the guide evidence. During the field from Kazuha Slash, it gives Kazuha 200 Elemental Mastery and gives characters inside the field 200 Elemental Mastery. These increases do not stack with each other. The extra Mastery can also increase his Swirl-based party bonus.
Scarlet Hills is worth considering for more skill use: it reduces Chihayaburu cooldown by 10%, and using the Burst resets that cooldown. Crimson Momiji is an option for a more attack-focused build. After the skill or Burst, it grants Anemo Infusion for 5 seconds and raises Normal, Charged and Plunging Attack damage based on Elemental Mastery.
Teams
Build around a teammate whose Hydro, Pyro, Cryo or Electro damage you want to support. Kazuha can gather nearby enemies, trigger Swirl and give the team an Elemental DMG Bonus for the element involved. With Viridescent Venerer, he can also reduce enemy resistance to that element.
Common mistakes
Do not cast Chihayaburu and forget the plunge. Midare Ranzan adds another pull and, after an eligible absorption, gains the extra damage from Soumon Swordsmanship. Remember that the plunge is available while airborne within 10 seconds of casting the skill.
Do not expect Kazuha Slash to absorb several elements in one use. Autumn Whirlwind absorbs at most one. Likewise, a Swirl bonus does not automatically strengthen an element you did not swirl.
Do not chase Elemental Mastery while ignoring Energy Recharge if your Burst is often unavailable. With Favonius Sword, keep some CRIT Rate for its particle effect. Finally, do not expect a two-piece Elemental Mastery combination to replace the resistance reduction from four pieces of Viridescent Venerer.
