Pathway to Japanese Literature
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Tamamo-no-MaeAuthor: Okamoto Kidō
| Original Title | 玉藻の前 |
|---|---|
| Author | 岡本 綺堂 |
| Genre | Fantasy & Sci-Fi |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the waning days of Heian-era Kyoto, where bandits haunt moonlit roads and decay gnaws at the empire’s splendor, two impoverished youths cling to hope. Fourteen-year-old Algae—devoted daughter of a disgraced samurai—braves autumn’s chill each night to pray at Kiyomizu Temple for her father’s recovery. Her steadfast companion Chiematsu, a fiery eboshi-maker’s apprentice, guards her through lawless darkness, their bond deepening as they recite sutras against the howling wind. When a venomous neighbor suggests selling Algae to brothels, Chiematsu’s wrath reveals cracks in their fragile world. \nOne fateful pilgrimage ends in terror: Algae vanishes, found hours later cradling a glowing skull in a cursed forest. Yet this mystery births opportunity—her haunting poem on “Parting from Solitary Sleep” captivates the Regent himself. Summoned to court in silken robes, Algae’s radiance stuns nobles and kindles dangerous fascination, while Chiematsu watches helplessly as destiny pulls her into glittering intrigue. Beneath Kyoto’s dying moon, ancient spirits stir and human hearts fracture—what sacrifices will light their crumbling world? |
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