Mushi-shi

A boy worries for his mother, her mind left addled in the early spring sun. A warm breeze, the fragrance of flowers and the sound of a loom All things that lull the mind to sleep and yet rest will not more » A boy worries for his mother, her mind left addled in the early spring sun. A warm breeze, the fragrance of flowers and the sound of a loom All things that lull the mind to sleep and yet rest will not come. There, Ginko finds in the dark of night a mushi that thrives on memories, its appetite for the things most cherished. Afraid to forget things not close at hand, mother and son will take a journey to its bitter end. But when the past is forgotten and the future reshaped daily, happiness can be a recurring blessing.« less

Driven to seek shelter from a snowy storm, the Mushi Master Ginko is drawn into a yearly mystery. A lone boy wanders off into the forest during the harshest part of every winter, only to be later foun more » Driven to seek shelter from a snowy storm, the Mushi Master Ginko is drawn into a yearly mystery. A lone boy wanders off into the forest during the harshest part of every winter, only to be later found asleep and clutching spring's blessings in his grasp, reawakening the very next season unharmed. But when Ginko unknowingly releases the mushi that is key to end the enchanted sleep, he must follow the boy into winter's hibernation. The traveler will reminisce how home can be so much more than where one slumbers.« less

Resting in a bamboo forest, Ginko is joined by a man who has been lost within the shadowy confines for several years. Unable to escape, he has married the bamboo child of local lore and together creat more » Resting in a bamboo forest, Ginko is joined by a man who has been lost within the shadowy confines for several years. Unable to escape, he has married the bamboo child of local lore and together created a life all their own. Without company, Ginko is allowed to find his way out, only to return to set eyes himself on the mushi posing as unique plant. The man's mystery unraveled but no solution, the human offspring will sacrifice her family in favor of fond recollection for the one she loves.« less

Ginko travels to a remote village, summoned by a letter of plea. Accessed by means of a decrepit old bridge, it was from such heights that a young girl fell three years before and somehow managed to s more » Ginko travels to a remote village, summoned by a letter of plea. Accessed by means of a decrepit old bridge, it was from such heights that a young girl fell three years before and somehow managed to survive. Upon closer inspection, Ginko determines the mushi of the valley below to be involved, using the girl as a vessel to gather the sunlight needed but denied by the depths in which it resides. When the mother demands he release her daughter from the curse, even if death be the result, his denial drives her to drastic measure.« less

A mountainside tragedy leaves a young boy alone, to be rescued by the Mushi Master Nui. Under her care, Yoki's incessant curiosity drives his quest to learn about the other plane of life which exists ... more » A mountainside tragedy leaves a young boy alone, to be rescued by the Mushi Master Nui. Under her care, Yoki's incessant curiosity drives his quest to learn about the other plane of life which exists all around them: The mushi that, like her, he has been cursed to see. A reluctant bit of life and laughter forced into a lonely life. When youthful innocence steps too close to dark truth, what she has long accepted as her end she will not accept as his. Thrust back out into a world without memory, Ginko is born anew.« less

Ginko is sent in search of another Mushi Master, this one the guardian of a mountain, neighbor to a village. An old man whose past is not unlike Ginko's own, he was once called upon to take up a god's more » Ginko is sent in search of another Mushi Master, this one the guardian of a mountain, neighbor to a village. An old man whose past is not unlike Ginko's own, he was once called upon to take up a god's duties and maintain balance A mantle not lightly assumed, caused by careless words and magnificent death. But as the cry of a great mushi predator tolls in the night and the apprentice is found an untrue successor, Ginko rushes to great heights only to play witness to noble deed.« less

The doctor friend of Ginko's needs his help. While out on a call, three village children broke into his storage shed and stumbled upon an artifact of deadly consequence: An ink stone. Unable to tell m more » The doctor friend of Ginko's needs his help. While out on a call, three village children broke into his storage shed and stumbled upon an artifact of deadly consequence: An ink stone. Unable to tell much from the object itself, short of it houses a mushi, Ginko searches out the maker. A woman cursed, what was supposed to represent her future unraveled all hope instead. When one dabbles willingly and another without knowledge, the innocent must be released to travel the winds.« less

In his never ending quest for food, Ginko is sent to a village blessed with abundance in a year of strife Or rather cursed, for what should have been the death of many will mean the death of only one. more » In his never ending quest for food, Ginko is sent to a village blessed with abundance in a year of strife Or rather cursed, for what should have been the death of many will mean the death of only one. In exchange for the mushi giving life it must take one, an arrangement which over generations equals murder on a scale greater than simple sacrifice. But when the current guardian confesses his secret, a plan to end the vicious cycle, Ginko takes pity and soils his hands to give the greatest gift of all.« less

Ginko's path crosses that of a forsaken soul waiting along the shore, waiting for the young wife lost several years before. The two having been driven back home by difficult times, she had not abandon more » Ginko's path crosses that of a forsaken soul waiting along the shore, waiting for the young wife lost several years before. The two having been driven back home by difficult times, she had not abandoned her husband and instead strayed within a mysterious fog. And he, lacking proof as to his love's fate, settled into his wait. Yet as reason and purpose return at long last, so too the mysterious events preceding the fog. Prepared for the worst, Ginko accompanies the husband as they head out to sea to confront the mushi and the past.« less

Forced to seek shelter as temporary reprieve from the rain, Ginko meets a man chasing rainbows out of desperation rather than hope. Having inherited a name and a curse from his father, two ages of one more » Forced to seek shelter as temporary reprieve from the rain, Ginko meets a man chasing rainbows out of desperation rather than hope. Having inherited a name and a curse from his father, two ages of one family wasted in search of a fleeting fruit after the rain. Recognizing the rainbow as mushi in brilliant disguise, Ginko agrees to chase storms alongside him, adding his knowledge to the quest. But where the father was driven by joy, the son is driven from shame. Can the source of hope be caught by one without it?« less