Slaughter in the Snow

In feudal Japan women are vulnerable in need of protection and capable of deception Jokichi of Mikogami a drifter has not yet fully revenged the death of his wife and son He searches for Kunisada Chuji who in turn has hired the knifethrowing Windmill Kobunji to kill him Kobunji and Jokichi meet in the winter near Sasago Pass when both have rescued women Jokichi has saved the luteplaying Oyae whose clan and whose lover want her dead Kobunji has rescued Oharu a wellborn woman married to an innkeeper Is this rescue a whim or something deeper And why does Jokichi become the consumptive Kobunjis protector What ultimately will Jokichi do about Oyae