Koi No Kushi (Shincho Bunko Fu 46-4 Ninjo Edo Irodori Ji Ki)

[Machine Translation] Oshina joined the family of a master joiner as a maid, but she could no longer stand the harsh treatment of her stepson and mother-in-law, who did not take to her, so she left home. Two years later, she runs into her husband by chance ("Roume"). A poor clan secretly forced its samurai to do domestic work in an organized manner. The openworked boxwood comb of Ashigaru Kanshichi falls into the hands of the heiress of a big store, and she says, "I want to meet this craftsman" ("Comb of Love"). The craftsman's skill, willpower, and kindness intersect in various parts of Edo. Four heartwarming masterpieces.

指物師の職人の家に後添いとして入ったおしなだったが、なつかぬ継子と姑の苛烈な虐めに、耐えきれず家を出た。二年後、ばったり、夫に出遭ってしまう(「蝋梅」)。こっそり組織的に藩士に内職をさせていた貧乏藩。足軽勘七の透かし彫の柘植櫛が大店の跡取り娘の手に渡り、娘は「この職人に会いたい」と言い出した(「恋の櫛」)。江戸の各所で職人の技と意地と優しさが交差する。心温まる傑作四編。