Pathway to Japanese Literature

Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.

EagleAuthor: Okamoto Kidō

Original Title	鷲
Author	岡本綺堂
Genre	Popular Fiction
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In Edo-period Japan, a seasoned samurai faces a perilous duty: hunting a legendary White-tailed Eagle that has evaded capture for years. Wada Yataro, a stoic Police Captain, prepares for his annual mission amid whispers of failure and family honor. His wife Omatu and loyal servant Kyusuke fret over rumors that missing the shot could bring disgrace—or worse. Their fears intertwine with the mysterious fate of Ocho, a fisherman’s daughter whose eerie bond with the eagle hints at supernatural forces. As Yataro’s resolve hardens, tensions escalate during moonlit vigils and hushed village gatherings. Strange omens and a haunting encounter blur reality, drawing his son Matajiro into a web of tragedy. Amid autumn winds and whispered curses, duty clashes with destiny in a tale where human ambition meets the untamed wild. Will skill triumph over myth, or will the eagle’s shadow claim more than pride? Secrets unravel under cold moonlight, leaving scars deeper than any blade.