Plot Summary

At 16, the young samurai Maki Bunshirou is in love with Fuku, a daughter of another good family. He spends his year working in the court as a page, and also training in sword-work in the dojo. Then one day his father is caught up in a failed rebellion against the lord and disgraced. After his father commits ritual suicide to atone, Bunshirou's life becomes much darker as his family lives in shame. He is separated from Fuku, who is sent to the capital, Edo. Slowly, Bunshirou begins to regain an honorable position. Then he begins to hear rumors that Fuku has become a concubine of a lord in Edo...