曾我平九郎 / Soga Heikuro

Heikuro Soga is a loyal retainer of Oda Nobunaga and a formidable master of the spear.

Nobunaga recognizes Heikuro's feelings for the orphaned attendant Wakana and offers to arrange their marriage. But Heikuro has heard rumors that Wakana is Nobunaga's favorite. Believing that accepting her would betray his lord, he refuses—and is immediately disowned.

When Nobunaga later dismisses Wakana and sends her to Heikuro, the stubborn warrior mistakes the act for punishment and turns her away. Only after returning to Nobunaga through an act of military courage does he learn the truth: Nobunaga had given up a woman he valued because he trusted Heikuro to protect her.

Realizing his mistake, Heikuro finds Wakana and marries her. Yet he remains outside his lord's service, waiting for the moment when loyalty must outweigh formal permission.

That moment arrives at Okehazama.

As Nobunaga launches a desperate attack against the overwhelming army of Imagawa Yoshimoto, Heikuro and Wakana enter the battlefield together. Fighting anonymously, they reach Yoshimoto's command tent, strike the decisive opening blows, and surrender the glory to other warriors.

"Soga Heikuro" is a spirited historical drama of misunderstanding, devotion, marital courage, and loyalty proven through action.

Written by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Narrated by Shichimi Shungorō.

Produced and published by Marutake Shobo.

織田信長に仕える槍の達人・曾我平九郎。

信長は、平九郎が侍女・若菜へ想いを寄せていることを見抜き、二人を結びつけようとする。だが平九郎は、若菜が信長の寵愛を受けているという噂を信じ、主君への遠慮から縁談を拒絶。信長の怒りを買い、勘当されてしまう。

さらに信長は若菜へ暇を出し、平九郎を頼るよう命じる。しかし平九郎は、その真意を理解できず、身寄りのない若菜を追い返してしまった。

やがて信長から、自分の浅慮と、若菜を託そうとした主君の深い情を知らされた平九郎は、彼女を探し出して妻に迎える。

永禄三年、今川義元の大軍が尾張へ侵攻。桶狭間へ出陣する信長の危機を知った平九郎は、若菜とともに戦場へ向かう。

二人は名を伏せて義元の本陣へ突入し、決定的な働きをしながら、その功を他の武士へ譲る。

主君への忠義、男女の愛、意地が生んだ誤解、そして夫婦で挑む桶狭間の戦いを描いた、山本周五郎の痛快戦国時代小説。