Prologue Summary and Analysis

In the free time Musui has enjoyed in his retirement, he has read a great many books. He is interested to discover in the course of his reading how very many books are devoted to the familiar story of a great general or nobleman who experiences ruin or a great fall from grace due to his own greed or meanness or other flaw. In this context, Musui is amazed that his own character flaws have not led him to ruin as well. On the contrary, his son Rintaro is the perfect example of a responsible and virtuous family man, and Rintaro and his family care for Musui and his wife in their retirement very well. Musui hopes the reader will heed his tale well and learn from his mistakes in order to become virtuous.

Musui gives advice for young boys and...