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| Original Title | 四日のあやめ |
|---|---|
| Author | 山本 周五郎 |
| Genre | Popular Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | On a frigid February morning, Chise, a samurai’s wife, faces a dire choice when a loyal retainer delivers urgent news: factions within her husband’s clan are poised to clash in a forbidden duel at dawn. Torn between duty and love, she hides the message, shielding her husband, Goda Chikaranosuke—a revered swordsman—from participating. Her decision spares him immediate danger but ignites a storm of disgrace as rumors spread of his absence from the bloody confrontation. As the clan reels from casualties and shifting alliances, Chike grapples with guilt, while Goda endures scorn for perceived cowardice. Their marriage strains under societal contempt and unspoken resentments, yet Chise’s act unwittingly averts greater tragedy. Amidst blossoming betrayals and haunting visions, the couple navigates honor’s fragile line, where loyalty to code and heart collide. Shadows of past choices loom as whispers of redemption emerge—but at what cost to their bond? A tale of sacrifice, pride, and the unseen threads that bind duty to desire unfolds in a world where every silence echoes louder than steel. |