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Hito-goroshiAuthor: Yamamoto Shūgorō
| Original Title | ひとごろし |
|---|---|
| Author | 山本 周五郎 |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In feudal Japan, Futago Rokubei, a timid samurai branded a coward by his clan, faces a life-altering challenge. Pressured by his unmarried sister Kane, who blames his reputation for their social isolation, Rokubei volunteers to hunt down Nito Gorodayu—a fearsome martial artist who murdered a page and fled. Armed only with wit and an official execution order, Rokubei embarks on a pursuit that defies convention. Instead of confronting the master swordsman directly, he wages psychological warfare, relentlessly labeling Gorodayu a "murderer" in public spaces. His tactics isolate the fugitive, denying him rest, sustenance, and dignity. Along the way, an unexpected ally—Oyo, a spirited innkeeper—joins his unconventional crusade. As exhaustion erodes Gorodayu’s resolve, Rokubei’s quiet determination reveals hidden depths beneath his meek exterior. This tale of inverted courage explores how perceived weakness becomes strength, weaving suspense through rice fields and mountain passes as two men clash not with blades, but through endurance and ingenuity. Will reputation or resilience prevail in this delicate dance of survival? |
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