Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
Mino's Double SuicideAuthor: Okamoto Kidō
| Original Title | 箕輪の心中 |
|---|---|
| Author | 岡本 綺堂 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | Amidst Edo’s fleeting cherry blossoms, a samurai’s obsession threatens to unravel his noble house. Fujieda Noriari, once a promising warrior, spirals into scandal through his forbidden entanglement with Ōbishiya Ayai, a courtesan whose allure eclipses duty. As petals fall like whispered secrets, his sister Onui and loyal steward Sanzaemon grapple with preserving their family’s honor while shadows of disgrace loom—house arrest, ancestral betrayal, and a disapproving uncle’s blade. Meanwhile, Jūkichi, a farmer’s son tied to the Fujieda household by bonds of service, becomes an unwitting pawn in this delicate dance of desire and decorum. From teahouse confrontations to rain-soaked confessions, the story weaves a tapestry of love and loyalty strained by rigid societal codes. Will Noriari’s defiance bloom into tragedy, or can fragile alliances withstand the storm? Beneath temple bells and lotus ponds, destinies intertwine, where every choice risks either redemption or ruin. |
← Return to List← Return to TOP