On'yado Kawasemi or On-yado Kawasemi () is a Japanese series of novels written by Yumie Hiraiwa and dramas and a play based on it. It is set in "Kawasemi" ("kingfisher" in Japanese), an inn in Ōkawabata, Edo (now Sumida, Tokyo). It was serialised in a magazine Shosetsu Sunday Mainichi from 1973 but was interrupted because of the discontinuance of the magazine. Later, it was serialised in All Yomimono from 1982 to 2005.
Plot
At the end of Edo period, Shoji Rui hands over her birthright to her relatives with the death of her father and begins running an inn "Kawasemi" in Ōkawabata. And she settles the matters in their daily lives with her lover Kamibayashi Tōgo, doshin (a sort of constable) Une Genzaburō, physician Amanō Sotarō, and O-Kichi.
Characters
Main characters
Kamibayashi Tōgo
Younger brother of Kamibayashi Michinoshin and instructor of kendo. He helps Une Genzaburō cracking a case and pries into the affairs occur around him or among those who visit and lodge at Kawasemi. Shōji Rui Landlady of Kawasemi who marries Tōgo later. Une Genzaburō Doshin for Minami-machi bugyō. A serious and sincere man and one of childhood friends of Tōgo.
People of Kawasemi
Kasuke
Manager of Kawasemi. O-Kichi Head maid of Kawasemi who is very curious and likes chatting but has a phobia for ghost.
The Kamibayashi family
Kamibayashi Michinoshin
Elder brother of Tōgo who is yoriki for Minami-machi bugyō. Kanae Wife of Michinoshin and the eldest daughter of Asō Genemon.
The Une family
Chie
Wife of Genzaburō. Gentarō Son of Genzabutō. Chiyo Daughter of Genzaburō.
The Asō family
Asō Genemon
Hatamoto who is the father of Kanae and Nanae. Asō Sōtarō (Amano Sotaro) Physician who is a son of goten-i, a doctor employed by the shōgun and a son-in-law of Genemon. One of best friends of Tōgo. Nanae Wife of Sōtarō, daughter of Genemon and younger sister of Kanae.
Other characters
Chōsuke
Okappiki (a sort of private detective) for Une Genzaburō and owner of soba restaurant Chojuan though he leaves managing it up to his wife and son. Sengorō Another okappiki whose occupation is a cooper. Matsuura Hōsai Owner of Hōgetsukan, a kendo dojo in Mamiana where Tōgo instructs kendo. He has a profound knowledge of swords.
List of novels
Bunshun bunko (pocketbooks published by Bungeishunjū) On'yado Kawasemi () Edo no komoriuta () Suigō kara kita onnna () Sazanka wa mita () Yūrei goroshi () Kitsune no yomeiri () Hōzuki wa koroshi no kuchibue () Shirahagi yashiki no tsuki () Ichiryō nibu no onnna () Enma mairi () Nijūrokuya machi no satsujin () Yogarasu O-Kin () Oni no men () Kami kakushi () Koibumi shinjū () Hacchōbori no yuya () Ugetsu () Hikyoku () Kakurenbo () O-Kichi no chawan () Inu hariko no nazo () Kiyohime O-Ryō () Gentarō no hatsukoi () Haru no takasebune () Takarabune matsuri () Chōsuke no nyōbō () Yokohama bojō () Sasuke no botan () Hatsuharu benzaisen () Kijo no hanatsumi () Edo no shōryō nagashi () Jyūsann sai no nakōdo () Koban shōnin () Ukare kichō ()
Hardcovers
Haru no kyaku () Shūgen () Senju kannon no nazo ()
Adaptations
TV Series
NHK adapted the series to TV series in 1980, 1982, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Series 1 was broadcast from 8 October 1980 to 24 March 1981 and Series 2 was broadcast from 6 October 1982 and 13 April 1983 by NHK. And in 2013, both series and newly produced episodes starring Kyōko Maya and is set in Meiji era were broadcast by Jidaigeki Senmon Channel, describing Kawasemi and those who are related to the inn twenty years later. It was produced by NHK Enterprize and Jidaigeki Senmon Channel with the intention to keep the tradition of jidaigeki and it is the first case in which NHK Enterprize did not produce a programme for NHK.
In 1973, TBS adapted one of the novels "Aki no hotaru" ("Fireflys in Autumn") to drama.
TV Asahi also adapted it to two TV dramas and one TV series, starring Yūko Kotegawa and Yasuko Sawaguchi respectively.
Cast
NHK Series 1 and 2 (1980–1983) Shōji Rui: Kyōko Maya Kamibayashi Tōgo: Akira Onodera Une Genzaburō: Takashi Yamaguchi Kamibayashi Michinoshin: Takahiro Tamura Kanae: Momoko Kōchi Kasuke: Tokue Hanazawa O-Kichi: Mieko Yūki Asō Genemon: Masami Shimojō Nanae: Naomi Hase (Season 1), Yoshie Taira (Season 2) Chōsuke: Kon Omura (Season 1) Sengorō: Morihiko Uchiyama (Season 2) Matsuura Hōsai: Seiji Miyaguchi (Season 1), Tōru Abe (Season 2)