Appearance: Mrs. Higurashi is probably in her late thirties. She dresses rather conservatively and wears her hair short. The anime decided that she has brown eyes, but there is no colour manga art of her anywhere that I have seen. She has a very gentle, no-nonsense demeanour.

Appellations: Mama; Higurashi-san would be a normal, polite way of addressing

Meaning of Name: Her first name is unknown. "Mama" is a direct English loanword adopted by the Japanese and its meaning and connotations are by and large the same as in English. "Higurashi" gives an approximate meaning of "sunset", "nightfall".

Impressions: Sometimes Mama seems like such a dream parent that I can hardly believe her to be real (even in the Takahashi-verse ^_^) She is gentle and patient and forever understanding, and stands behind Kagome all the way as she goes shard-hunting into the obscure past. Very little of Mrs. Higurashi is actually shown or told about in the series, in typical animanga fashion. It is not even known whether she is employed or at home tending to the house, but that she is a single parent might suggest that she does work.
She loves her children dearly, and the most she asks Kagome when the daughter returns is whether she would like a bath or dinner first... The fate of her husband remains a mystery. The only thing that is revealed about their relationship (in the anime) is that her husband proposed to Mrs. Higurashi beneath the Go-Shinboku god tree.
First appearance: manga act 1, anime episode 1 Seiyuu (Japanese): Todo Asako Voice Actor (English): Cathy Weseluck

Appearance: Jiichan is elderly and rather wizened, but undoubtedly energetic. He has a prominent moustache and a pointy beard and wears his grey hair tied into a tail. He is most commonly seen wearing a white gi (Japanese tunic), a dark hakama (wide skirt-pants), tabi (toed socks) and straw sandals -- traditional Japanese attire.
Appellations: Jiichan; likely also Higurashi-san or kannushi-sama (though I am not sure, since -sama is starting to become an outdated name suffix in modern Japanese)
Meaning of Name: Grandfather's first name is unknown. "Jiichan" is a familiar way of addressing one's grandfather or old men in general. "Higurashi" gives an approximate meaning of "sunset", "nightfall".

Impressions: As far as Shinto priests (kannushi) go, Jiichan is in a category all his own. A rather eccentric, self-appointed exorcist and expert on the supernatural, Grandfather Higurashi is a font of mythological lore. He is the resident priest and caretaker of the Higurashi Shrine (or Sunset Shrine, in the English manga translations), and despite this being the 20th century he has steadfast faith in his spiritual abilities and their practical significance. In truth, however, they are likely nothing to faint over since Inuyasha had no trouble whatsoever in breaking through the well Grandfather had so securely "sealed". Despite this, Grandfather does have a vast knowledge of demons and magic of all sorts. It is likely (and the anime hints as much) that dear old Jiichan has some inside information about Kagome's destined mission to recover the Shikon no Tama. He is also the creative force behind Kagome's "cover stories" of being constantly ill and thus absent from school... which just goes to prove that he's a terrible liar.
First appearance: manga act 1, anime episode 1 Seiyuu (Japanese): Ginzou Matsuo Voice Actor (English): French Tickner

Appearance: Souta is nine years old (six years younger than Kagome). He has round brown eyes (colour derived from the anime) and short black hair. He is kind of cute, in the way all Takahashian children are. ^_^
Appellations: Souta, Souta-kun, otouto
Meaning of Name: "Souta" is written with the kanji for "high" and "grass". A kanji by kanji reading of "Higurashi" gives an approximate meaning of "sunset", "nightfall".

Impressions: Souta is Kagome's little brother. He is a kind child, and quite a wimp at times. He idolises Inuyasha, whom he sees as a sort of personal hero -- "inu no niichan", dog-eared brother. He thinks it's utterly cool that his big sister fights demons in the Sengoku Jidai, and her self-appointed guardian is no less spiffy. Souta does also worry about Kagome, though he seems to take it awfully in stride that his neechan is a reincarnated miko with a heroic destiny... but then again, Kagome's whole family is like that. He has also been seen taking care of his sister's education by bringing her notes and information on tests, and even taking her forgotten textbooks to her at school. ^_^ Souta seems the most likely successor to Grandfather's office as the resident priest (kannushi) of the shrine (jinja).
First appearance: manga act 1, anime episode 1 Seiyuu (Japanese): Nakagawa Akiko Voice Actor (English): Saffron Henderson

Appearance:Buyo is a very, very plump cat with cream-coloured fur and beige spots. She has large greenish eyes. It has also been very vigorously pointed out to me that since she is female, she is not a calico in colouring. I will leave the exact genetic reasons for you to discover.
Meaning of Name: "Buyo-buyo" means plump, and Buyo's name is likely derived from that word.
Impressions: Buyo is the Higurashi family cat. She is a fat, lazy and completely adorable animal. Souta is often seen carrying the feline around -- she does not seem to mind -- and she indeed was the reason why Kagome stumbled into the feudal era in the first place, for she had hidden in the wellhouse and Kagome went to fetch her. Inuyasha seems to be fond of playing with Buyo whenever he comes to pester, sorry, visit Kagome, too.
First Appearance: manga act 1, anime episode 1