Mushi-shi

Three young boys, each bound to different paths: One to rule over the land, one to read the signs of the land and one to eternally wander the land. On the side of a very special mountain, these three ... more » Three young boys, each bound to different paths: One to rule over the land, one to read the signs of the land and one to eternally wander the land. On the side of a very special mountain, these three young boys will meet. On the side of that mountain, events will shape them into the men they are to be. Time will pass and destruction will come, and one will prove unable to protect the land he loves. Yet each will remember: Taku of the Mountain, Isazu of the Watari and Ginko of the Mushi« less

Ginko encounters a wanderer of a different breed, a street musician who sings hauntingly of the mushi. After a moment's conversation he is inspired by her plight. As a child she had no vision, yet now more » Ginko encounters a wanderer of a different breed, a street musician who sings hauntingly of the mushi. After a moment's conversation he is inspired by her plight. As a child she had no vision, yet now she can see all. Across mountains to distant oceans, past, present and future. Her eyes, infested by the ganpuku the eyes of fortune have been both blessing and curse, and she'll tell all for a price. But when the time comes, take my eyes and bury them deep in the mountains. This I have seen« less

Rumors of a new kind of mushi have brought Ginko out to visit another master, one who's been studying the discovery for some time. But upon his arrival, Ginko is disturbed to find the villagers prepar more » Rumors of a new kind of mushi have brought Ginko out to visit another master, one who's been studying the discovery for some time. But upon his arrival, Ginko is disturbed to find the villagers preparing to destroy the mushi, scorching the mountainside in the process. Unable to persuade the local master to stay her hand, Ginko is detained until the deed is done. Realizing the true danger at last, he fears the cure may be far worse than the curse, the fire releasing an even deadlier threat.« less

Ginko's wanderings are driven off course when he comes across a strange sound echoing through the frozen mountains. Following the source back to a village, there he finds the people plagued with a rus more » Ginko's wanderings are driven off course when he comes across a strange sound echoing through the frozen mountains. Following the source back to a village, there he finds the people plagued with a rust that all can feel but none can see. As the Mushi Master investigates the young girl who's been blamed as the source of the curse, he hears a tale of tragic youth from a voice long unused. When the cursed are not to be blamed, it must be the fault of the mushi.« less

Ginko travels to an island to investigate the legend of the uminaoshi, people who have died and been reborn. The remote island is one of idyllic beauty, deep family bonds and great happiness A paradis more » Ginko travels to an island to investigate the legend of the uminaoshi, people who have died and been reborn. The remote island is one of idyllic beauty, deep family bonds and great happiness A paradise whose inhabitants truly grasp the joy of all that is life. Upon further inspection of their miracle, Ginko finds a mushi at the mystery's core, one that feeds on time but regurgitates life. Caught deep within the sea's grasp, even the master will question whether he can truly leave this life behind.« less

A green slime from the womb of a woman, the shapeless mass taking on the form of a human child. Five strange offspring, like shoots from the ground every six months. Rather than saving the false youth more » A green slime from the womb of a woman, the shapeless mass taking on the form of a human child. Five strange offspring, like shoots from the ground every six months. Rather than saving the false youth, Ginko must urge the parents to put an end to its short life. For when a mushi wears the skin of a child as disguise, there's no child left to save. But past guilt and a parent's love will stay the hand, allowing a fungus to spread unchecked, mimicking life. And Ginko will learn how far a parent will go to protect its child.« less

A family renowned for two things: An exhaustive archive of the records of Mushi Masters and a black birthmark, a curse that's survived through the generations. The archives are priceless, the girl eve more » A family renowned for two things: An exhaustive archive of the records of Mushi Masters and a black birthmark, a curse that's survived through the generations. The archives are priceless, the girl even more so. For despite hearing countless tales of the horrors of the mushi and their need to be eradicated, she, a woman ravaged by mushi, she treats them with love rather than hate, sealing them away forever without doing any harm. A scribe with a golden heart. A scribe with mushi for pets. The end.« less

A servant with high aspirations reaches up and disappears into the sky. Literally up in the heavens, but not quite, the young lady for a time resides in the shadow world of the mushi. Found by Ginko a more » A servant with high aspirations reaches up and disappears into the sky. Literally up in the heavens, but not quite, the young lady for a time resides in the shadow world of the mushi. Found by Ginko and returned to her household, the Mushi Master explains to her suitor that the object of his affections is now linked to both worlds. She has to want to be normal. She has to want to stay. But when his family rebukes the marriage, the young man may not be able to accept his bride with his whole heart.« less

A mystical mountain, an artist's first inspiration. As fame and fortune grow, any thoughts of his former life lie discarded like a robe dropped carelessly on the ground. Ten years later, the muse has ... more » A mystical mountain, an artist's first inspiration. As fame and fortune grow, any thoughts of his former life lie discarded like a robe dropped carelessly on the ground. Ten years later, the muse has grown dormant and the artisan travels back to find his home, his family gone. The mountain, too, has grown dormant. Ginko follows the man's flight home, led there by a painting alive with mushi. While his reception on the mountain may be less than pleasant, the life that he has brought back to the village is more than welcome.« less

The arcane arrival of a broken message sends Ginko to visit the source, a sad remnant barely clinging to life and desperate hope. Years before, two children were sent away so that one must not live al more » The arcane arrival of a broken message sends Ginko to visit the source, a sad remnant barely clinging to life and desperate hope. Years before, two children were sent away so that one must not live alone. Apprenticed to an ancient master, an accident conspired to separate the sisters, leaving one confined within, the other to waste without. Ginko must use the mushi, taking the girl to explore an ancient pathway between hollow worlds, in order to silence a fool's errand. But hope will live eternal.« less