1. The Kamigata Scroll
In 1760s Osaka, the tile-maker Gingorō and his servant Taichi undertake a dangerous mission to enter the closed Awa domain and discover what happened to a spy who vanished ten years earlier. The pickpocket Otsuna and the detective Mankichi pursue connected secrets, while Awa’s agents attempt…
2. The Edo Scroll
Mankichi follows the missing woman’s trail into Edo and discovers that the Awa conspiracy maintains captives and agents inside the shogunate’s capital. Gennojō, Otsuna and their allies face hired swordsmen, underground prisons, fire and betrayal as investigations that began separately start to converge. Edo’s crowded neighbourhoods,…
3. The Kiso Scroll
The pursuit leaves Edo and climbs the Nakasendō through checkpoints, hot-spring towns and the mountain roads of Kiso. Otsuna and Mankichi try to remain ahead of three rōnin sent to recover the conspiracy’s secrets, while Gennojō follows his own route towards Awa. Ambushes, disguises and shifting…
4. The Funaji Scroll
Gennojō and his companions return to Osaka and attempt to secure passage by sea into the forbidden Awa domain. The agents who have followed them across Japan close in aboard vessels crossing the Kitan Strait, while the lord of Awa prepares for the possible exposure of…
5. The Tsurugisan Scroll
Washed ashore inside Awa, Gennojō and Otsuna disguise themselves as pilgrims and climb towards Mount Tsurugi, where the evidence behind the conspiracy is hidden. Domain retainers and the rōnin pursuing them know that outsiders cannot be allowed to leave with the secret. As the rival parties…
6. The Naruto Scroll
With the missing spy’s testimony recovered, Gennojō and Otsuna race from Mount Tsurugi while Awa’s agents prepare the final stage of their rebellion. Allies, betrayers and surviving pursuers converge at the Naruto Strait, where the whirlpools become the setting for the last chase. The conclusion resolves…