蜆谷 / Shijimidani

Two years after fighting for Ishida Mitsunari at Sekigahara, Yanosuke secretly returns to his village.

The neighbors who once promised to protect his family abandoned his elderly mother after the defeat. Her fields and possessions were taken, and she survived by gathering freshwater clams from the freezing river.

Yanosuke's wife was removed from the household, and only Oyae—the sister of a fallen comrade—continued to help his mother.

Rather than flee, Yanosuke voluntarily presents himself to the new authorities at Sawayama.

The investigation exposes the village's betrayal. Yanosuke is pardoned and rewarded for answering the call of his former lord, while the village leaders are condemned for exploiting the soldiers' families.

But Yanosuke declares that he never wanted land or privilege.

What he wanted was the promise the villagers had made before he went to war.

"Shijimidani" is a powerful historical tale of defeat, justice, communal responsibility, forgiveness, and renewal by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Written by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Narrated by Shichimi Shungorō.

Produced by Marutake Shobo.

関ヶ原で石田軍として戦い、敗走した弥之助。

二年後、故郷・蜆谷へ帰った彼を待っていたのは、稗粥で命をつなぐ老母と、奪われた田畑だった。

出陣の日には家族を守ると約束した村人たちは、敗戦が決まると母を見捨て、妻まで実家へ連れ戻していた。

弥之助は逃げず、自ら佐和山へ出頭する。

吟味によって明らかになる、村の裏切りと、一人で母を助け続けたお八重の献身。

褒美として蜆谷と田畑を与えられた弥之助は、村人へ告げる。

「私の欲しかったのは、土地ではない。出陣の日に交わした約束だった」

戦に翻弄された庶民、共同体の責任、裁きと赦しを描く、山本周五郎の重厚な歴史人情小説。

著者：山本周五郎

朗読：七味春五郎

制作・発行：丸竹書房