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The Five-Petaled CamelliaAuthor: Yamamoto Shūgorō
| Original Title | 五瓣の椿 |
|---|---|
| Author | 山本 周五郎 |
| Genre | Popular Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In 1834 Edo, the enigmatic death of eccentric carpenter Nakamura Butsuan intertwines with a devastating fire at Musashiya, a prestigious pharmacy. The blaze claims three lives—ailing patriarch Kihee, his estranged wife Osono, and their devoted daughter Oshino—leaving behind charred remains and unanswered questions. As authorities investigate, tensions within Musashiya unravel: Kihee, consumed by tuberculosis, clings to life while Osono indulges in reckless affairs, abandoning her family. Eighteen-year-old Oshino navigates a fractured world, torn between nursing her dying father and confronting her mother’s betrayal. Whispers of hidden gold, clandestine trysts, and a cryptic walking stick hint at deeper scandals. Amid New Year’s rituals and smoldering resentments, loyalties fracture as Oshino uncovers shocking truths about her parents’ marriage. With poetic camellias symbolizing fragile beauty and decay, this atmospheric tale weaves familial duty, forbidden desires, and the haunting consequences of secrets left to burn. |
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