Ohara Meshimase is a collection of historical short stories by Jiro Asada set around the late Edo and Meiji Restoration period. In the title story, Takatsu Matabei faces pressure to commit seppuku after his adopted son-in-law endangers the family, wavering between samurai duty and human frailty.

In an age when samurai ideals are fading, men waver before responsibility and family.