Shibusawa; or, The passing of old Japan

Set during a period of sweeping social change, the narrative follows Shibusawa, an heir bound by family obligations and ritual, as he confronts the collision of old customs with new influences. Personal pledges, arranged relationships, and vendettas unfold alongside exile, raids, sieges, and a devastating earthquake, drawing retainers and masterless warriors into political and military conflict. Intimate domestic scenes alternate with larger campaigns and public ceremonies, tracing loss and recovery while examining duty, honor, and the human cost of a society in transition.