Haru is a young japanese girl who, after the death of her mother, is sent to learn at a dojo, a small school where only a handful of students are admitted and where they will live for five years.
Through the practice of shodo (classical writing), archery, tai-chi and meditation, Haru learns a philosophy of life against which her own age pushes her to rebel. After five years, it is time to leave the dojo and Haru is faced with reality.
After refusing to return home with her father, she goes hungry, cold, in extreme situations and falls into the underworld. Things are not obvious, good or bad, black or white, and it is difficult to distinguish between them when one finds oneself in critical situations. Haru will have to learn to distinguish between good and evil, inner and outer wealth, friendship and convenience.
However, everything she consciously or unconsciously learned in the dojo becomes very present, and will be the basis for trying to bounce back. “Living here and now” will be Haru’s great lesson.
A great novel with cult status that has the power to change the reader’s life.