竹槍念仏 / Takeyari Nenbutsu

A vigorous Japanese historical drama by Shugoro Yamamoto about an outlaw attempting to abandon violence—and discovering that prayer alone cannot silence his former nature.

Along the road through Kai Province, two travelers notice a mysterious mendicant monk whose movements resemble those of a seasoned gambler. The monk is Jinen, the newly appointed priest of a poor and neglected temple. He never removes his woven hat, and no one in the village has seen his face.

Behind the disguise is Hantaro, once a reckless outlaw known for charging blindly into danger. After being disowned by his former boss, he shaved his head and entered religious life, hoping to overcome his violent instincts.

But temptation follows him. He is drawn to Okii, a devoted young woman who visits the temple, while the brutal gambling boss Kanpachi threatens both her and the surrounding community. When Sadakichi arrives seeking justice for his murdered brother, Jinen must decide whether to remain a monk or once again become Hantaro.

With a priest's staff in his hands, Buddhist verses on his lips, and an old outlaw's blood awakening within him, he confronts Kanpachi and the violence he had tried to escape.

"Takeyari Nenbutsu" is a fast-moving period tale filled with humor, action, forbidden affection, vengeance, and the struggle between religious discipline and human nature.

Written by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Japanese-language audiobook.

Narrated by Shichimi Shungorō.

Produced and published by Marutake Shobo.

甲州街道を歩く二人の旅人が目を留めた、奇妙な托鉢僧。その僧は喜捨を受けながら、まるで博奕の丁半を占うような振る舞いを見せていた。

僧の名は自念。谷村新田の貧しい一念寺へ赴任して半年になるが、網代笠を決して脱がず、村人の誰もその素顔を知らない。

しかし、その正体は「向う不見」の異名を持つ無頼漢・半太郎だった。親分から勘当されて出家し、荒々しい性根を仏道によって改めようとしていたのである。

寺へ通う娘・おきいへの思慕。土地を牛耳る美須屋勘八の横暴。そして、殺された兄の仇を討とうとする定吉との出会い――。

『竹槍念仏』は、仏道と無頼、恋と別れ、復讐と人情を豪快な活劇の中に描いた、山本周五郎初期の痛快時代小説です。