Daughters of Nijo: A Romance of Japan

In the turbulent years of the early Restoration, a humble farmer named Yamada Kwacho tends his modest fields in the province of Echizen, his reputation already sealed by a daring rescue of the local daimyo. Though honored by the lord’s promise of aid, Kwacho remains grounded, seeking a simple life with a bride from his own class—sweet‑tempered Ohano, whose rosy cheeks and gentle nature capture his heart. Their newlyweds enjoy a brief season of bliss, blessed by gifts from the Prince of Echizen himself.

That peace is shaken when a royal prince, an emissary of the Emperor, arrives amid the clash between Imperialists and the shogunate. The province erupts in grand celebrations, and the presence of the prince brings both excitement and uncertainty to the countryside. As courtiers parade through the streets and political loyalties are tested, Kwacho and his new wife find their quiet world pulled into the larger currents shaping a nation on the brink of change.