Chapter 6, 'Bad Omens for the New Year' Summary

Okada finishes the new play, The Thief of the Tokaido, and the apprentices worry about learning it when they have no copy to read. Kinshi explains that last time there was a new play he stole Yoshida's personal copy. Jiro does not want him to risk this again, so he says he will steal a copy instead. However, instead of stealing one, he goes straight to Okada and asks him for a copy instead. Okada laughs at Jiro's openness and gives him a copy, but tells him to claim that he stole it if anyone asks.

The boys are preparing for New Year's. The theater has plenty of food and Yoshida is sick, so the boys look forward to a good celebration. However, outside the theater the city is starving. Jiro...