Pathway to Japanese Literature
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Duel LetterAuthor: Yamamoto Shūgorō
| Original Title | はたし状 |
|---|---|
| Author | 山本 周五郎 |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In feudal Japan, young samurai Imaizumi Daini’s world fractures when his childhood bond with Shino—a cousin he hopes to marry—collapses under mysterious circumstances. Their families initially bless their union, but a sudden letter shatters their engagement, citing Shino’s abrupt betrothal to Daini’s dearest friend, Fujishima Einosuke. Consumed by betrayal and grief, Daini exiles himself to Edo, hardening into a brooding scholar estranged from his past. Years later, rumors of Fujishima’s treachery and a manipulative third party’s schemes draw Daini into a web of deceit, forcing him to confront whether decades of friendship could truly be destroyed by rivalry or if darker forces have poisoned their fates. As tensions escalate toward a lethal duel, long-buried secrets emerge, challenging honor, loyalty, and the cost of vengeance in a society where reputation is lifeblood. This haunting tale of love and betrayal unfolds against the rigid codes of samurai duty, where every choice risks ruin—or redemption. |
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