Hiroshi Tanaka

Weaving two storylines together: the first is the story of 18th-century shogunate intrigue and loyalty, and the second is a ghost story about a beautiful woman who falls victim to passion and evil.

This story is based on the novel "Jo no mai" by Tomiko Miyao which is based on the life of painter Shōen Uemura (1875–1949), the first woman to be awarded the Order of Culture. The title refers to the masterpiece bijinga ("picture of a beautiful woman") that Uemura painted at the age of 61. The main character, Tsuya Shimamura, is born in Kyoto as the second daughter of a tea trader who dies before her birth. Tsuya, who loves painting more than anything and is hopeless at housework, attends art school and at age 15 receives the name Shōsui (from the characters for "pine" and "green") from her teacher. The crown prince of England purchases one of her works, propelling her to fame overnight. The novel portrays the remainder of her stormy life, during which she is impregnated by her teacher and raises a fatherless child; through it all she devotes herself to her painting, undaunted.

Sashichi is a dapper and handsome man. He is called a doll Sashichi because he is "a nice man like a doll." On top of that, he is a considerable young boss. This is a story in that Kanda solves the murder spree in Edo where a famous boss of Otamaga pond, Sashichi lives in.

A "wicked" scoundrel who will do anything for money, women, and lust races through the streets of Edo! The shadow of a man silently approaches the side of a woman who is sleeping disheveled. His criminal record is etched on his forehead, and this ultimate ruffian, who has committed womanizing, intimidation, and violence, has by chance become a pawn of a rookie constable. The man's name is Nana, also known as Inu Nana, and he takes on a difficult case. When the rage of this ruthless villain who will do anything explodes, his deadly boomerang attack tears through the darkness.