山だち問答 / Dialogue with the Mountain Bandits

Genichiro Kori, a retainer of the Ogaki domain, is entrusted with a secret mission to Hikone.

While crossing Mount Ibuki at night, he is surrounded by mountain bandits.

Their leader demands his money, weapons, and clothing.

Genichiro does not draw his sword.

Instead, he explains that he is traveling on his lord's business. If stripped now, he will be unable to fulfill his duty. He gives them his money and promises to return after completing the mission and surrender the rest.

"A samurai does not speak twice."

Genichiro keeps his word.

He returns to the mountain, gives the bandits his clothing, and goes back to his domain almost naked.

But instead of admiration, he receives ridicule.

He is called a coward. His engagement is broken. Those around him cannot understand why a samurai would refuse to fight.

Yet Genichiro's decision was not born from fear.

"Dialogue with the Mountain Bandits" is a thoughtful historical tale about courage without violence, keeping one's word, loyalty to duty, and the difference between reputation and true character.

Written by Shugoro Yamamoto.
Narrated by Shichimi Shungorō.
Produced and published by Marutake Shobo.

大垣藩の馬廻・郡玄一郎は、藩主の密命を帯びて彦根へ向かう。

その途中、夜の伊吹山で山だちに取り囲まれ、金も刀も衣服もすべて置いていけと迫られる。

玄一郎は刀を抜かなかった。

「いま裸になれば、主君の御用を果たせない。帰りに必ず衣服も大小も渡す。武士に二言はない」

そう約束し、持ち金を渡して先へ進む。

そして密命を果たした帰路、玄一郎は本当に山だちのもとへ戻り、約束どおり衣服を渡す。

ところが帰藩した彼を待っていたのは賞賛ではなく、「山賊を恐れて逃げた臆病者」という嘲笑だった。

縁談まで破談となる。

だが玄一郎は、恐れたから戦わなかったのではない。

主命を果たすこと、約束を守ること、人の命を無用に奪わないこと――。

『山だち問答』は、「戦わない強さ」と武士の真価を静かに問う、山本周五郎の武家人情小説です。

著者：山本周五郎
朗読：七味春五郎
制作・発行：丸竹書房

ドラマ版では、玄一郎が山だちとの約束を守って帰藩した結果「臆病者」と批判され、縁組も破談になる筋が確認できます。