Series by 上田倫子

In the early Edo period, as peace settles over Japan, we follow the intertwined destinies of Ran, a skilled female ninja from the Iga clan, and Aoi, who would become the third Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu (known in youth as Takechiyo). Ran, escaping an unwanted marriage, arrives in Edo where she inadvertently saves young Takechiyo from an assassination attempt, earning her a place as his protector. Their relationship blossoms amidst political intrigue, assassination plots, and the trials of growing up in a time of transition. Ran, with her loyalty and bravery, navigates the complexities of love and duty while Takechiyo matures into a leader, all under the watchful eye of the powerful women around them.

Sumi Kitamura, the second eldest in a parentless family of six, struggles to care for her younger siblings amidst dire poverty in late 1800s Japan. When her older brother Eisuke’s gambling debts threaten to separate the family, Sumi attempts to sell herself on the streets to raise money. A wealthy man, Soichiro Ashida, offers her a deal: marry him to secure her family’s financial future, but she must never fall in love with him. Sumi enters this marriage of convenience, grappling with the challenge of posing as a refined lady in high society. As she navigates her new life, she encounters Nozomu, a charismatic but troubling figure, sparking tensions and emotional conflicts.