大炊介始末 / The Fate of Oinosuke

Takanaka, heir to a samurai house, has everything expected of a future lord: intelligence, strength, generosity, and the trust of those around him.

At eighteen, everything changes.

After suddenly killing the retainer Shinnosuke Yoshioka, Takanaka refuses to explain what insult provoked him. He is sent away in disgrace, and reports soon describe a young man transformed—drinking heavily, drawing his sword, and behaving with apparent cruelty.

Fearing scandal and disaster for the domain, his father finally orders Takanaka's childhood friend, Hyoe Masaki, to put an end to him.

Yet when Hyoe investigates, he discovers something unexpected. The retainers and women living near Takanaka remain fiercely loyal to him. Behind the reputation of a mad and violent man lies a truth no one has understood.

Takanaka has learned a secret about his own birth—and has chosen to destroy his reputation rather than allow that secret to destroy the people and house he loves.

"The Fate of Oinosuke" is a tragic historical drama of loyalty, hidden identity, friendship, sacrifice, and a man who deliberately accepts hatred in order to protect others.

Written by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Narrated by Shichimi Shungorō.

Produced and published by Marutake Shobo.

聡明で健康、思いやりも深く、将来を嘱望されていた嫡子・大炊介高央。

十八歳の秋、侍臣・吉岡進之助を突然手打ちにしたことから、彼の人生は一変する。

理由を語らぬまま謹慎となった高央は、酒を飲んでは暴れ、刀を抜き、人を傷つける「乱心者」と噂されるようになる。

ついに父は、藩を守るため、高央の幼なじみ・柾木兵衛へ彼を討つよう命じる。

だが兵衛が高央の周辺を探ると、奇妙な事実が見えてくる。

乱暴者と呼ばれる高央を、近臣も侍女も深く慕い、命を懸けて守ろうとしていた。

そして兵衛は、高央が狂ったのではなく、自ら狂人を演じていた理由へ辿り着く。

そこには、自分の出生をめぐる秘密と、愛する人々や家を守るため、自分自身の名誉を捨てようとした男の覚悟があった。

友情、出生の秘密、忠義、自己犠牲を描く、山本周五郎屈指の悲劇的武家小説。

著者：山本周五郎

朗読：七味春五郎

制作・発行：丸竹書房