Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
Oto Matsu of the ShadowsAuthor: Yamamoto Shūgorō
| Original Title | 暗がりの乙松 |
|---|---|
| Author | 山本 周五郎 |
| Genre | Detective & Mystery |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the mist-shrouded hot springs of Shuzenji, a fledgling thief named Nobi no Sanji plots his first heist at a secluded inn. Each night, as he creeps toward his target—a wealthy guest’s purse—a haunting folk song pierces the silence from a neighboring room, freezing him in his tracks. The singer, a enigmatic figure named Umeya, toys with Sanji’s resolve, his lyrics laced with cryptic warnings of katydids and shadows. Determined to prove himself, Sanji vows to outwit the man he believes to be Oto Matsu, a legendary thief whose exploits once electrified Edo. But when their paths collide during a burglary at a desperate farmer’s home, Sanji confronts a theft that unravels lives: stolen coins meant to save a family from ruin. Torn between ambition and conscience, he faces a choice that could redeem or destroy him. As secrets unravel—including Umeya’s true identity—the line between mentor and manipulator blurs, leaving Sanji to navigate a world where every shadow hums with danger and every act of thievery carries a hidden cost. |
← Return to List← Return to TOP