Shumari

STORY

"Shumari" is a captivating saga set in Hokkaido during the early years of the Meiji period. The main character, Shumari—meaning "fox" in the Ainu language—is a skilled swordsman from mainland Japan. He pays his respects to the Ainu people to form a bond with them. However, his true purpose for coming to Hokkaido is to find his wife, Tae, who has left him for another man.

Early in the story, Shumari easily locates Tae but soon realizes she has no feelings for him. Despite his love for her, he chooses to live alone in the unexplored wilderness of Hokkaido, marking the start of his turbulent and dramatic life. He accidentally discovers military funds hidden in Goryokaku, purchases defective land, raises a baby who has lost his mother, and finds himself arrested as a fugitive and forced to labor in a mine.

Time passes. Japan faces a wave of cultural enlightenment, and Hokkaido is no exception. The people surrounding Shumari evolve alongside these changes. Yet, Shumari himself remains steadfast in his ways, refusing to adapt. Although those around him may disagree with his attitude, they are somehow drawn to him. Through all his trials, Shumari's single-mindedness captivates the people he has encountered and the readers.