風車 / The Pinwheel

A talented young ronin wastes his days in comfort, unaware that the quiet woman serving him has sacrificed everything for his future.

Otsuyu manages Kinnosuke's household, protects him from exploitation, and secretly stops the allowance that has allowed him to avoid responsibility. To support them, she spends her nights making small paper pinwheels.

Her courage awakens Kinnosuke's ambition. But when he finally earns a place in society, Otsuyu disappears, believing that her humble birth would stand in the way of his advancement.

Years later, she watches from behind a window as the man she loved passes by as a respected samurai.

"Kazaguruma" is a moving tale of unspoken love, sacrifice, and quiet devotion by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Written by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Narrated by Shichimi Shungorō.

Produced by Marutake Shobo.

才能を持ちながら、安楽な浪人暮らしを続ける梶原金之助。

彼を立ち直らせたのは、女中のおつゆだった。叔父からの仕送りを断り、夜ごと一文風車を作って暮らしを支え、金之助を厳しく励ます。

やがて金之助は剣の腕を取り戻し、姫君を救って出世の道をつかむ。しかし、おつゆは自らの想いを告げず、彼の前から姿を消した。

五年後、風車屋の窓から、立派な武士となった金之助をそっと見送るおつゆ。

報われることを望まない愛と献身を描いた、山本周五郎の哀切な人情小説。

著者：山本周五郎

朗読：七味春五郎

制作・発行：丸竹書房