"Half Seat" Bunpei Aoyama Price: ¥1760 Why would these respectable samurai...? A new Naoki Prize-winning author's highly anticipated masterpiece of historical fiction, depicting the long-held feelings hidden within perplexing incidents and the "endings of life" of each individual! Why did these respectable samurai cross the line of the samurai class? The long-awaited first work after winning the Naoki Prize! Naoto Kataoka, a young metsuke (inspector), is tasked with uncovering the "true motives" hidden within a perplexing incident. Why did the elderly samurai, who had been diligently working, commit a violent act? What were the long-held feelings that the samurai from a distinguished family could no longer bear? When Naoto uncovers the unspoken frustrations hidden deep within their hearts, the "endings of life" of these men are vividly illuminated. Six masterpieces of authentic samurai fiction. Naoto Kataoka, a young metsuke, strives to excel in his current duties in order to rise from a gokenin (vassal) to a hatamoto (direct retainer of the shogun). However, his superior assigns him the task of uncovering the "true motives" hidden within a perplexing incident. Why did the elderly samurai, who had been diligent in his duties, commit a violent act? What were the long-held feelings that the samurai from a distinguished family could no longer bear...? When Naoto discerns the truth behind their broken hearts, the "endings of life" of these men are vividly illuminated. A series of masterpieces of orthodox historical fiction. Slight tear on the back cover. #BunpeiAoyama #Bunpei_Aoyama #book #JapaneseLiterature/Novels&Stories"