The Tatara forges combine a whole population took in by Eboshi. Men and women find in that place, an existence more acceptable than outside . The forge is a real fortress. Some huge walls protect this tiny society. Its inhabitants can defend themselves from the outside thanks to their Ishibiya (Stone fire arrow.) but also because of their unity. In that little city the common interest is favoured. That's why this tiny town works so good. Eboshi is everything except a despot (it's made Tatara's originality !).

Women hold a big place in that society. They've been took in by Eboshi. In their ex-town their lives were those of the more pitiful, the only way to survive was more often the prostitution. In the forges, they work by activating some huge bellows which are maintaining the foundry. This foundry allows to produce the iron. Lady Eboshi gives to the women a first part in the military life: she teaches to some of them to use the Ishibiya. That is, at that time, such activities for women were banished by the religion.

Toki is one of those women. From the beginning, she attracks attention by a domestic quarrel to her husband Kouroku. Like almost of the others women, she's filled with admiration for Ashitaka. By her charisma, she stands in the middle of the others as a leader.

Men seem to be less large than women. Mostly are living with one of them. They owe a lot to Lady Eboshi, too. They've got more sympathise for Ashitaka who they could considerat as a traitor, than they feel for Jiko Bou's men. They even saved Ashitaka from an attack of one of those latters.

Kouroku is one of the victim during the wolves attack at the convoy of supplies for Tatara. He's scared of the Kodamas certainly because of the shock he has get. Because of his superstitions and fears, he gets to the conclusion (as many) that everything wich belongs to the forest is harmful. He's also Toki's husband. He's totaly erased by his wife's character nevertheless he seems to be very in love with her.

The real blacksmiths, that means the ones who are using the iron produced and not the ones who are making it, are lepers who Lady Eboshi takes in. Without her, they would be left to their fate. They are making and improving the Ishibiya. In one of the last scenes, using a ground attention we notice that after the final tornado a sick person realized she's recovered.