A coming-of-age tale set in 19th-century Japan and illustrated with 15 Hokusai prints.

Koichi was in love with Yunko, and Yunko with Koichi. But to get his beloved's hand in marriage, he had to succesfully complete a challenge all her other suitors had failed at: sell a load of rice throughout the land while keeping 36 grains of rice in his right hand, never opening his fist. Tomomi, a wily, whiny fox, is his traveling companion. Good luck, Koichi.