In his final years, he became obsessed with religion, especially with the Oomoto movement and Nichiren sect Buddhism and the Heart Sutra.
The novel is set in the Meiji period and focuses on three characters from the city of Matsuyama: Akiyama Yoshifuru, his brother Akiyama Saneyuki, and their friend, Masaoka Tsunenori, better known as Masaoka Shiki.
Jun Akiyama | Toyohiro Akiyama | Tetuzi Akiyama | George Akiyama | Akiyama Yoshifuru | Akiyama Saneyuki |