Kakuriyo volumes 6-11 summary… and a reflection

Ōdanna & Aoi, art by Laruha

This post contains the summary of Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi volumes 6-11 (Vol 11 is the Gaiden) per Amazon Japan. SPOILERS of course, so don't read it if you don’t want to know how the Kakuriyo stories continue. The summary does spill the bean of a very important aspect of Ōdanna and Aoi. However, the descriptions don’t spoil you that deep, because you still won’t know some mundane and important things, e.g. Ōdanna’s favourite food, his real name, and the reason for the events that take place in Vol 7-10. Oh, and you won't know whether Ōdanna would kiss Aoi or not, and if he would, when.

Beforehand though, I’d like to make a short observation about some Kakuriyo haters. Perhaps “hate” is too strong a word, but I cannot help using that word whenever I come across some blogs/websites that consistently shred Kakuriyo to pieces. I won’t name the blogs here, but if you google “Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi”, it’s likely you’ll find 2-3 blogs that constantly pick Kakuriyo to the bones. 

I understand why some people are not satisfied with Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi anime. And I’m not talking about Ginji fans not being happy that Aoi doesn't end up with Ginji, because no matter what, Ginji fans are Kakuriyo fans and I also love Ginji in his own rights... 

No… I’m talking about viewers who viewed Kakuriyo till the end, but still disliking it, yet… they also keep watching it. 

Why is that? Is that because Kakuriyo anime left many unanswered questions? IF that is the reason, well, just so that you know, the anime thus far only covers Volumes 1-5. 

Or… those people don’t like the series but they just keep watching it to kill time? That’s a bit sad… 

Granted, I don’t really like some series or movies (“Happy Marriage” and “My Only Love Song” come to mind), but I still like some of its aspects, hence me watching them till the end. So when I wrote my reviews of those dramas/movies, I try to be fair: there are things I like, and there are things I dislike. At the same time, there are some series that I have not been able to finish even though the original premise is interesting. To me, the example is “Kamisama Hajimemashita”, an anime and manga touted to be of a similar premise to Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi. However, to me, one of the differences between Kamisama and Kakuriyo is that the former jumps too soon into the chemistry between Momozono Nanami and Tomoe the kitsune spirit, whereas the latter takes time to make Aoi liking, and then loving Ōdanna (oops, did I spill the beans just now?...). 

Also, there are character and story developments in Kakuriyo which I find lacking in Kamisama. I find the kiss in Ep 1 of Kamisama Hajimemashita as being too soon (though I understand why it happened). I am more forgiving of the kiss in Ep 5, but then I wonder whether that kiss was also done with the previous shrine caretaker... 

(note 23 Dec'20: I've watched until Ep 10 of Kamisama, and now I understand Tomoe's background story better. The anime still doesn't hook me like Kakuriyo did/does, but at least it is fun to watch)

Anyway. Perhaps it all comes down to the target demography. Kamisama seems to be written as a shōjo manga, whereas Kakuriyo is written as a josei novel (targeting young woman and above), thus my sensibilities appreciate the subtleness of Kakuriyo. Yes, that includes the subtleness of Ōdanna’s love to Aoi, which is ever constant (if not getting deeper as every episode finishes). Whereas as a shōjo manga, Kamisama Hajimemashita caters to the demography of young girls with their own ideas of what a romance is. And there's nothing wrong with that notion, for I used to subscribe to it as well. It's a young love notion, and that is fine. But the current me is much more attracted to the gentle love that Kakuriyo characters have, and that is fine too...

See, to me, Ōdanna’s encouragement to Aoi when Moonflower wasn’t doing well… and his smile as he saw Aoi’s business prosper after a difficult start… is romance. 

To me, Ōdanna arriving in the Southern Land undercover as a fish peddler for Aoi’s sake is love. To me, Ōdanna’s action towards Aoi’s personal growth at the end of Vol 10 is gentleness, love and romance. That is different from the possessive romance displayed by Tomoe to Nanami in as early as Ep 3, and no, I didn’t forget Ōdanna’s rash behaviour of kidnapping Aoi for marriage in Ep 1… but in the same episode, Ōdanna didn’t force her to marry him. 

But… all my views are a factor of my age and growth. I love Kakuriyo while I just think Kamisama is a funny entertainment… but it can be because of my age and my life experience. That doesn’t make Kamisama a bad anime/manga. It’s just not my cup of tea.

(and again, after understanding Tomoe's background story, I can understand him better. Kamisama is still a shojo anime though, so it's more suited for that demography, IMO)

This is what is lacking in several blogs/websites that supremely dislike Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi. They ignore the demography of Kakuriyo readers. They ignore that perhaps… they don’t like Kakuriyo because it’s just not their cup of tea. It doesn’t mean that Kakuriyo is a bad story. 

These people also ignore growth and intentions. For instance, before Aoi was kidnapped by the Orio-ya team (well, technically she was spell-bound by Ōgondōji and then Ranmaru whisked her onboard of the Seiran-maru, Orio-ya's main airship), the whole Tenjin-ya team actually had an outing at the onsen. Ōdanna specifically asked Aoi to organise the outing impromptu. Some people questioned why this outing was important. However, I bet Ōdanna actually organised the outing as a farewell (despite temporary) party for Ginji. Ōdanna knew Ginji had to leave for the Southern Land soon, so it was his kind gesture for his old mate. Remember, Ōdanna was not very surprised when Seiran-maru arrived. Ōdanna may have not expected that Ranmaru would personally come to get Ginji. It was unlikely that Ōdanna knew that Ranmaru would come because Hatori would have told Ōdanna otherwise. Judging from Hatori's reaction upon seeing his company airship arriving, I don't think Hatori or Tokihiko knew about the personal pick up. Nevertheless, Ōdanna knew Ginji was leaving soon, hence him requesting that Aoi organise the outing. That is good intention on Ōdanna's part. As for growth, Ōdanna asking Aoi to prepare such an outing (in addition to asking her to take care of Tenjin-ya when he was on a business trip to Utsushiyo) signals the growing trust he had on Aoi.

But these little nuggets may be lost if people already decided they dislike Kakuriyo for whatever reasons.

And what is most disturbing is that one of critics actually made fun of Aoi’s trauma in the past, as if her fear of thunder and her constant remembrance of the kind ayakashi (who saved her from hunger and death) are just for the sake of drama. These bloggers… do they not have traumatic episodes in their childhood? Good on them if they don’t. But that doesn’t give them rights to laugh at people’s traumatic childhood, and that includes Aoi’s childhood, though she is a fictional character. 

If you dislike Kakuriyo, by all means, don’t change your opinion. You're entitled to it. However, please know that there are people who love this anime because of its warm-hearted messages (to me, it’s similar to the warm-heartedness of Natsume’s Book of Friends, though there’s no romance in Natsume – not that I complained about it). There are people who laughed and cried because of this anime, people who went to bed smiling happily because of this anime. Don’t mock them for liking this anime, although you don’t understand their happiness.

Anyway, enough of that. Now onto the Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi summary translations of Volumes 6-11.  

SPOILERS

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Volume 6 (click here for the list of chapters & translations)

Short spoilers: 

Will a pumpkin dish connect the two? During the harvest season, Aoi and Ōdanna were getting closer fast… or aren't they?! 

After getting rid of the curse of the Southern Land, waiting for the triumphant return of Aoi is the warm and very busy days of Tenjin-ya! While thinking of a new line of souvenirs and struggling to prepare for the Autumn Festival, Aoi receives an  invitation from Ōdanna for a fruit picking… or is it actually a date?!

Description: 

Autumn is coming to the well-established Tenjin-ya Inn in Kakuriyo (the Netherworld) where the spirits live. Aoi, who was kidnapped by the rival inn Orio-ya, cleared the curse of the Southern Land after completing a dish with much difficulty. Waiting for her triumphant return is the warm and very busy days with her friends at Tenjin-ya. While thinking of a new line of souvenirs and move forward with the preparation for the Autumn Festival, the Moonflower Restaurant will be reopened. At such a time, Aoi received an invitation from Ōdanna for an orchard date. Although it’s supposed to be a normal invitation, after going through the Orio-ya case, Aoi realises that she wants to know more about Ōdanna... 

Volume 7

Short spoilers: 

Ōdanna went missing en-route the Kakuriyo capital Yōto. Shaken by this greatest crisis in Tenjin-ya’s history, Aoi receives a secret mission from the Accounting Chief Byakuya. And it is achieved by establishing a Moonflower food stall and doing the business onboard of an Yōto-bound airship…?!

Description: 

Aoi manages a diner at Tenjin-ya, a well-established inn operated by the spirits. After the Autumn Festival ended with thriving sales, Aoi saw Ōdanna off to the Kakuriyo capital of Yōto. Later at home, in front of Aoi and friends who were waiting for Ōdanna’s return, the large ayakashi Raijū, who held a grudge against Tenjin-ya, appeared. Raijū had a sinister announcement to make: that the Oni King Ōdanna is never to return and Raijū is the new Great Master. The biggest crisis in the entirety of Tenjin-ya’s history!  Ginji and all employees are united and make a move. And then, in order to find Ōdanna, Aoi entertains guests with her food stall onboard of the Yōto-bound touring air ship.

Volume 8

Short spoilers: 

The entrusted mission is the revival of the Snow Country?! Aoi’s hospitality that was cultivated in Tenjin-ya is being tested!

Byakuya has narrated Aoi the story of Ōdanna’s past. With such a story in her heart, Aoi escaped the capital Yōto towards the heart of the Northern Land governed by another Hachiyō. Waiting for Aoi in the beautiful yet secluded Snow Country is delicious, unknown local specialties and a reunion with a person she misses!

Description: 

Aoi manages a diner at Tenjin-ya, a well-established inn operated by the spirits. While visiting Yōto in search of the missing Ōdanna, she learns about Ōdanna’s past and the underlying cuisine that defines the Kakuriyo tradition. What can she do for her cooking, then? Considering all these, Aoi went to the Northern Land to request their cooperation in recovering Ōdanna. Waiting for her in the beautiful yet secluded Snow Country is delicious, unknown local specialties and a reunion with a person she misses! And then, in return for a cooperation with Tenjin-ya, Aoi is asked to produce a tourism specialty for the revival of the Snow Country?!

Volume 9

Short spoilers: 

“I’ll tell you the truth one by one in exchange for a bento box”. And then, what does Aoi uncover?

Guided by Ōgondōji, Aoi arrived at the Land of the Cultural Gate (Bun-Mon*). At that place was Ōdanna, looking the same as always. The couple spent a brief yet quiet time together before the Hachiyō dinner meeting. There, Ōdanna made one proposition to Aoi. 

Description: 

Aoi wandered in Kakuriyo from one place to another in search of Tenjin-ya’s Ōdanna.  Guided by Ōgondōji, Aoi arrived at the Cultural Gate of the North-western Land and was finally reunited with Ōdanna. Despite having become a fugitive, Ōdanna looked the same as always. The two of them spent brief yet calm days** together. Nevertheless, since Aoi wanted to know the reason behind Ōdanna’s disappearance, his relationship with Grandpa Shirō and the real intention of the ayakashi who once saved her from hunger, Ōdanna made Aoi a proposition: “I’ll tell you the truth one by one in exchange for a bento box”. Thus, Aoi found the answer to one question.

(Note 

*: I translate 日々 ‘hibi’ in this sentence as “days”. I figure, since Ōdanna suggested an answer for a boxed meal, it could mean that Aoi would cook Ōdanna three boxed meals to get three answers. It makes sense to assume that Aoi and Ōdanna spend at least one full day together to cover Aoi’s three questions. However, since the ‘day’ is written as 日々 I assume that they would spend at least two days together. Update 15 Feb 2021: After a sneak peek into Vol 9, I can confirm that Aoi and Ōdanna spent at least two days in Bunmon with Aoi feeding Ōdanna delicious bento meals every day. 

**: I translate Bun-Mon 文門 as "Cultural Gate" due to the kanji for Bun, which can be translated into "culture". However, I also like the translation from Fan Translator By Choice; she translated Bun Mon as "Scholarly Gate". Check her Vol 6 translation pls, it's so fun to read!)

Volume 10

Short spoilers: 

“This evening, I will marry into the ayakashi inn.” The conclusion to Aoi’s narrative*. 

The Hachiyō dinner meeting has finally begun. Having faced the truth about Ōdanna and her own feelings, Aoi ran about the capital Yōto to acquire an ally to rescue Ōdanna. Once there, she turned to Zakuro, a Hachiyō from the Great Lake Skewer Confectionery**, who once dismissed Aoi’s cooking. 

Description: 

In exchange for her homemade bentō, Aoi discovered the truth about Ōdanna, which heretofore had been kept a secret. Together with her Tenjin-ya friends, Aoi head for the decisive battleground of Yōto to personally rescue the captured Ōdanna. The Hachiyō dinner meeting has finally begun. Raijū’s plot to propose to seal Ōdanna underground is accepted. Friends are running around Yōto to find an ally to overturn the vote. Also, Aoi challenges Zakuro, the Hachiyō from the Great Lake Skewer Confectionery (who once dissed her cooking) to a sweets making competition… so that she can once again deliver the “first bentō***” to Ōdanna and also to declare her own feelings to him. 

Translation note:

*I don’t know how to translate 細腕繁盛記, but it seems like an ‘annal’ or a narrative, hence I translated it as ‘narrative’

** This “Great Lake Skewer Confectionery” is actually written as 大湖串製菓. The yomikata is "daiko kushi seika" --  大 is “great” or “big”, 湖 is “lake”, 串 is “skewer” (the way dango and satay are put into skewers) and 製菓 is “confectionery”. This person dissed Aoi’s cooking, s/he might be a cook as well, thus the association with a confectionery should be correct. 

***I don’t know what to make of “hajimari no bentō” (or the “first bentō”) without understanding the context. I originally translated it to “bentō of the beginning”, but I wondered if I interpreted the meaning too poetically. My guess is that hajimari no bentō refers to the first bentō that Aoi gave Ōdanna. Perhaps she wants to give him another “first bentō”, but this time as a wife to a husband.

Other note:

If you want to know more about Ōdanna & Aoi's engagement, click this link and scroll down to the last spoilers.

Volume 11 (Gaiden)

Interesting to see that Ginji is now wearing the golden tassels
that Ōdanna used to wear

The activities of Aoi and her Tenjin-ya friends who live in the Hidden World of Kakuriyo. It’s the story of the revolving seasons in 12 months. 

A little time has passed after the turbulent days in Kakuriyo have been overcome. Aoi, who has married Tenjin-ya’s Ōdanna, has become the apprentice of the Great Proprietess and is spending every day playing an active part at the Inn. Many things happen, such as Aoi searching for a treasure her grandpa once hid while she kept working, Chibi the palm kappa embarking on a trip, a collaboration with the rival inn Orio-ya and Ōdanna went on a business trip to our world Utsushiyo. The nonchalant days flow as always with just a little change. And then… the cherry blossom season arrives once again.